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.
“Gov. JB Pritzker discussed plans for economic growth in Chicago at a fireside chat Tuesday with business and civic leaders, saying he opposes a proposed head tax on employees of large businesses,” by Capitol News Illinois.
“The devolution of Illinois’ Republican Party continued Tuesday as a candidate for governor refused to denounce two political operatives tied to a right-wing fake newspaper website that published a story containing an internet link detailing salacious allegations against a rival, while a new candidate emerged with a controversial background as a gambling mogul,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“The Trump administration today fired back at Illinois and Chicago in a U.S. Supreme Court reply brief, calling one of their key arguments “outlandish” and saying the question of whether to call up the National Guard is ‘committed exclusively to the president’s discretion,’” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
“Two and a half years after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Illinois and other states take an unconstitutional route to collecting delinquent property taxes, five suburban counties are going ahead with their sales of unpaid taxes this fall,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
“The Illinois State Board of Elections deadlocked Tuesday on whether to slap a nearly $10 million fine on Illinois Senate President Don Harmon’s political committee for allegedly accepting donations beyond campaign financing limits,” by the Chicago Sun Times.
“That challenge only grew more complicated away from council chambers when Gov. JB Pritzker came out in opposition to the reinstated $21-per-employee ‘head tax’ on larger businesses that Johnson has proposed to raise an estimated $100 million to help balance the budget,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“Mayor Brandon Johnson was accused Tuesday of proposing a $1 billion tax increment financing surplus to bail out the Chicago Public Schools at the expense of neighborhood improvement projects, a move roundly condemned by City Council members,” by the Chicago Sun Times.
“Facing a wary City Council, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget team signaled today it’s willing to scale back the city’s revived corporate head tax — even as it defended the levy as crucial to closing a $1.2 billion budget gap,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
“Chicago is actively pursuing the possibility of installing slot machines at O’Hare and Midway Airports — and Bally’s has identified a site for those machines at Midway, a top mayoral aide disclosed Tuesday,” by the Chicago Sun Times.
“Alderperson Jessie Fuentes, who represents the city’s 26th Ward, has filed a federal claim against the government for damages after she was arrested by a federal agent at Humboldt Health Hospital earlier this month,” by CBS News.
Voters head to the polls to elect governors in Virginia and New Jersey next month, the highest-profile races before next year’s midterm elections.
The latest flare-up between the US and China highlights the ever-present instability in the relationship that will make securing a comprehensive agreement between the world’s two largest economies difficult, even if President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s meeting later this month occurs without incident.
With China flexing its advantage in critical minerals in trade talks underscoring dependence on them, the US as well as private companies are seeking to mitigate China’s leverage 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 13, 2025
November 13, 2025
November 12, 2025
