Illinois Insights: An Update from Cozen O’Connor (3/4)

March 4, 2026

ILLINOIS

AROUND THE STATE

Pritzker wants House to take up Bears legislation after primary

“Gov. JB Pritzker wants legislators to take up property-tax legislation sought by the Chicago Bears as soon as the March 17 primary election is over,” by Crain’s Chicago Business. 

Subscribe

Congressional Black Caucus accuses Pritzker of ‘heavy-handing’ Senate race 

“The Congressional Black Caucus is taking aim at Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton — and Gov. JB Pritzker. The caucus endorsed incumbent member U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. And in a statement to Punchbowl News, the caucus said they are not happy to see Pritzker financially supporting his governing partner over their member,” by Capitol News Illinois. 

Illinois comptroller race 2026: Democratic primary field angles for votes as Susana Mendoza steps down 

“Illinois’ finances were ‘one hot mess,’ as Comptroller Susana Mendoza put it, the last time voters went to the polls to elect the state’s chief fiscal officer,” by the Chicago Tribune. 

Former DOJ attorneys intervene in lawsuit seeking sensitive Illinois voter registration data 

“Eighteen former U.S. Department of Justice attorneys filed a brief in federal court this week opposing the Trump administration’s lawsuit that seeks access to sensitive personal information about every registered voter in Illinois,” by Capitol News Illinois. 

 

CHICAGO

MORE FROM CITY HALL

Chicago’s Watchdog Says City Lawyers Withheld Records About ‘High-Profile’ Hires 

“Chicago’s Department of Law refused to provide records about the hiring of ‘high-profile’ city employees to the city’s watchdog in violation of city law and a federal court order, Inspector General Deborah Witzburg revealed in a report released Wednesday,” by WTTW News.  

Parental responsibility ordinance shot down

“Chicago parents will not be held accountable for curfew violations, street racing, drug, alcohol and firearms offenses committed by their children,” by the Chicago Sun-Times. 

Chicago alders and residents question Peoples Gas bid for $202 million rate hike

“With Peoples Gas seeking a significant rate hike for next year, Chicago alders and residents spoke out on Tuesday at a City Council committee hearing on the proposal,” by CBS News.  

City Council committee gets tough on cruelty to animals

“Calling animal cruelty and abuse a ‘precursor to crime’ against people, the City Council’s Committee on Public Safety also agreed to strengthen penalties against an array of animal neglect offenses,” by the Chicago Sun-Times. 

 

FEDERAL

Cozen Currents: It’s All (Including Iran) About China

As President Trump prepares to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of the month, the desire to outcompete Beijing is shaping a broad array of policy decisions in Washington (and perhaps even creating a timeline for cessation of hostilities in the Middle East). 

The US and China are presenting diametrically opposed visions of the future of energy, with the former all-in on oil and gas and the latter doubling down on renewables. 

AI is a major front in the US-China tech war as the Trump administration seeks to expand use of the US AI tech stack abroad. Read the Cozen Currents here.

Beltway Briefing: Priced Out: Inside America’s Housing Crisis

America is facing an affordable housing reckoning. With home prices and rents still elevated nationwide, states and cities like New York and Philadelphia are pursuing new construction, preservation, and policy reforms to close widening affordability gaps. But “affordable” means different things to different communities — from those experiencing homelessness to middle-income families struggling to stay put. Featuring Public Strategies’ Mark Alderman (DC), Katrell Lewis (NY), and Brianna Westbrooks (PA). Listen to the Beltway Briefing here.

Authors

About Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies

Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in cities and states throughout the country. With offices in Washington D.C., Richmond, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, and Santa Monica, the firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management. Its client base spans multiple industries, including healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.

About Cozen O’Connor

Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 775 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 31 offices across two continents.

Explore Articles and News

See All News