Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies (CPS), the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor, today announced the addition of Donovan W. Pepper as principal and director of national strategic partnerships.
“The Trump administration on Friday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow the immediate deployment of National Guard troops in Illinois, calling the decisions by lower court judges blocking the activation of guardsmen ‘indefensible’ and ‘micromanaging,’” by Capitol News Illinois.
“State legislators are considering whether to pass protections and procedures to try to keep federal agents out of hospitals as the Chicago area faces more aggressive immigration enforcement, a move that could put health care providers in the middle of a dispute between federal and state law,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
“Illinois lawmakers have concluded the first half of their six-day fall veto session, but opinions on its productivity are split along party lines. Republican lawmakers, including Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer of Jacksonville, criticized the session as unproductive, accusing Democrats of avoiding critical topics such as the $267 million budget gap, energy taxes, and mass transit funding,” by ABC 20.
“Illinois’ Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against State Farm, arguing the Bloomington-headquartered company should be required to give the state information about homeowners insurance policies that it issues nationwide,” by The State Journal-Register.
“The Illinois General Assembly has passed a bill allowing vehicles powered by natural gas, propane, electric batteries or hydrogen fuel cell systems to exceed posted weight limits by up to 2,000 pounds, but opponents say the measure is unfair and could result in damage to roads and bridges,” by Advantage News.
“Mayor Brandon Johnson Thursday delivered on his promise to ‘challenge the ultra-rich’ and make corporations pay their fair share, proposing a $16.6 billion budget for 2026 that includes $586.6 million in progressive tax and fee revenues and a record $1 billion tax increment financing surplus to rescue the city and Chicago Public Schools,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
“Almost as quickly as Mayor Brandon Johnson delivered his $16.6 billion 2026 budget yesterday, his proposal to revive the corporate head tax was condemned as a job-killer by the business community and the mayor’s opponents on the City Council,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
“The City Council voted Thursday to approve plans to upzone Broadway from Devon to Montrose avenues in Edgewater and Uptown. Upzoning refers to reclassifying an area’s zoning to allow for taller, denser buildings and to permit additional business uses,” by Block Club Chicago.
“The Chicago City Council unanimously approved a new six-year deal that means annual average raises of approximately 3% for the city’s nearly 4,900 firefighters and paramedics — but puts off fraught negotiations over how fire stations should be staffed and whether the city needs more ambulances,” by WTTW.
“The City Council’s immigration committee passed three resolutions Wednesday aimed at countering federal agents’ actions during the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement surge in Chicago,” by Block Club Chicago.
While history would suggest that the out of office party is favored to outperform the presidential party in the 2026 midterm elections, the size of that overperformance (or whether it materializes at all) will be shaped by a set of kitchen table issues the two parties are already racing to define.
The Trump administration’s full-court press to entice drugmakers to lower their prices culminated in deals with Pfizer and AstraZeneca that other firms might try to copy.
After President Trump’s initial wave of tariffs, the US’s relationships with its North American allies have started to improve but deals to lower these duties have proven elusive, with the White House likely to use them as leverage in the USMCA negotiations next year. Read the Cozen Currents here.
From hostage negotiations in the Middle East and peace talks in Ukraine to strikes on suspected cartel vessels off Venezuela’s coast, President Trump appears active on virtually every major global front. Yet as the government shutdown grinds on at home, the question remains: when will he weigh in and push to bring it to an end? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Patrick Martin here.
Legislative Analyst
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.
November 10, 2025
November 10, 2025
November 10, 2025
