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.
“The state of Illinois and city of Chicago, along with a coalition of other states and cities controlled by Democrats, are suing the Trump administration to block a new federal rule that would give immigration officials broader authority to deny green cards to those who have legally been using public aid like Medicaid and food stamps,” by NPR Illinois.
“A former federal prosecutor will temporarily take over as the Illinois General Assembly’s top ethics watchdog, stepping into an office roiled by controversy over how sexual harassment complaints against a former state lawmaker were handled,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“President Trump has thrown his support behind Darren Bailey, the Republican candidate for Illinois governor,” by CBS News.
“President Donald Trump lashed out at the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday for blocking his efforts to give the U.S. Postal Service power to determine who can receive and cast mail-in ballots, while top Illinois Democrats and national voting rights experts hailed the ruling and said it would prevent chaos for the Nov. 3 general election,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“Mayor Brandon Johnson is backing off a key part of his broad plan to bolster the rights of Chicago renters, but opponents say his proposal remains too extreme,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“The current owners of Chicago’s parking meters have offered the city a $75 million one-time payment and a cut of future profits in hopes of getting the City Council’s approval of a $2.53 billion sale,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
“A group of aldermen is asking the city to take steps to improve traffic safety — steps, they argue, that could have prevented the death of Chicago Department of Transportation employee Riley O’Neil in a Bridgeport traffic crash earlier this year,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“Ald. Walter Redmond Burnett (27th) is calling for new parking restrictions and changes to liquor license enforcement in the aftermath of a shooting along a prominent stretch of West Loop’s Restaurant Row,” by Block Club Chicago.
Progressives surged onto the national stage with a series of Democratic primary victories this year; however, their success so far has largely been confined to safe blue territory. These progressives aren’t expected to pose the same challenges to Democratic congressional leadership as the Tea Party or House Freedom Caucus have to their GOP counterparts.
In the absence of congressional action on AI, California is leading the conversation over regulating frontier models and AI deployment, particularly in relation to employment.
The US-Canada trade conflict escalated further last week, creating a political headache for Republican Senate candidates in the border states caught in the crossfire. Read the Cozen Currents here.
With early voting approaching, the 2026 midterms are emerging as a consequential test for both parties. Our team examines the closely watched Senate races, the voter sentiment shaping the cycle, and what the results could mean for control of Congress and the road to 2028. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer (DC), Mark Alderman (DC), and Patrick Martin (DC). 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 16, 2026
September 15, 2026
September 15, 2026
