WASHINGTON, September 1, 2026 — Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies, the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O'Connor, today announced the addition of Rodney Whitlock, Debbie Curtis, Katie Waldo, and Maddie News to the firm's federal health policy practice in Washington, D.C.
“Gov. JB Pritzker poured cold water Thursday on Illinois Federation of Teachers President Stacy Davis Gates’ call to spend the state’s $768 million cut of a multi-state settlement with social media giant Meta for education, saying that ‘one-time money should really be used for one-time needs,’” by Capitol News Illinois.
“Gov. JB Pritzker took aim at a familiar political target Wednesday as he kicked off a statewide campaign bus tour, blaming Republican President Donald Trump for many of Illinois’ struggles during the Democratic governor’s nearly eight years in office, while focusing less attention on his actual GOP opponent in the November election,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“New rules governing who can use electric bikes and scooters, including where and how fast they go, will go into effect next year following Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature on Wednesday,” by WTTW News.
“Gov. JB Pritzker’s newly appointed head of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources previously led a state conservation department in Massachusetts — but most recently served in an executive position to help the Illinois Prisoner Review Board after it faced calls for change,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“Mayor Brandon Johnson’s business affairs chief is stepping down, the latest exit from the mayor’s cabinet. Ivan Capifali, the commissioner of the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, confirmed his retirement on Monday via a news release from the mayor’s office following inquiries from the Tribune,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“Chicago Public Schools has won back millions of dollars in federal grants that top education officials took away after concluding that the school district had violated students’ civil rights by having a Black Student Success Plan and policies that support transgender students,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
“Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias vowed Thursday to hold the line on property taxes if elected Chicago mayor, saying instead the path to righting the city’s fiscal ship goes through Springfield,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“Jennifer Custer, an incumbent school board member, is withdrawing from the race to be the first elected Chicago Board of Education president,” by Chalkbeat Chicago.
A challenging national environment has put the Senate majority within Democrats’ reach. Even so, securing an outright majority remains an uphill climb because the chamber turns over only about a third of its seats at a time and the battleground is tilted toward GOP-leaning states.
Even if Republicans retain the Senate, their majority will likely shrink, implying that the upper chamber may be more willing to push back against the White House than it has been in Trump’s second term.
Although currently not the base case, a Democratic-controlled Senate could change the course of the remainder of President Trump’s second term through oversight and a blockade of his nominations. Read the Cozen Currents here.
Budget season offers a window into state priorities, policy choices, and the challenges lawmakers are working to address. As state negotiations wrap up in Illinois, New York, and Virginia, we explore the tradeoffs, areas of agreement, and key decisions that shaped this year’s legislative sessions. What do these budgets reveal about governing today, and what do they signal for the road to the November midterms? Featuring Public Strategies’ Julia Hammond (VA), Sydney Holman (IL), and Katrell Lewis (NY). Listen here.
Policy Advisor
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.
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.
September 1, 2026
September 1, 2026
August 31, 2026
