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.
“After urging Illinoisans last month to record concerning actions by federal agents, Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order Thursday creating a commission to review documentation submitted by the public,” by Capitol News Illinois.
“Despite a recent push by U.S. House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, a Congressional remap in Illinois looks like a long shot. Leaders of the Illinois House and Senate, which would need to approve new maps next week during the last days of the fall veto session or call a special session, say it’s not happening,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
“The Regional Transportation Authority’s board of directors expressed feelings ranging from frustration to hopelessness during a board meeting Thursday, as time winds down in Springfield for lawmakers to pass a funding bill that saves the CTA, Metra and Pace from drastic service cuts beginning in the last half of 2026,” by WBEZ Chicago.
“Governor Pritzker celebrated the State’s 10th credit rating upgrade in just over four and a half years as Moody’s Investors Service upgraded Illinois’ rating to A2 for the State’s general obligation bonds,” by the River Bender.
“The new leader of the Illinois Federation of Teachers says state lawmakers should consider raising taxes on wealthy individuals and corporations that have received federal tax breaks under the Trump administration to increase state spending on education and other public services,” by Capitol News Illinois.
“The mayor’s proposal to sweep a record $1 billion out of the city’s TIF piggy banks has even drawn criticism from Ald. Jason Ervin, the mayor’s hand-picked budget shepherd, Ald. Michelle Harris, his Rules Committee chair, and Ald. Walter “Red” Burnett, his latest appointee to the council,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“Chicago’s aviation commissioner and the City Council’s Aviation Committee chair said Thursday they are concerned that installing slot machines at O’Hare and Midway airports would cheapen the look and feel of the city’s airports,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
“City crews have replaced less than 4% of the more than 400,000 lead service lines responsible for contaminating Chicagoans’ tap water since the effort began five years ago, the commissioner of the Chicago Department of Water Management told members of the Chicago City Council Thursday,” by WTTW.
“Mayor Brandon Johnson is returning to the ‘disreputable bad practices of the past’ with a $16.6 billion proposed budget balanced with ‘unsustainable, short-term fixes’ and nearly $600 million in tax increases that ‘send the wrong message to the business community’ at a time when Chicago needs jobs and economic growth, the Civic Federation concluded in an analysis released Friday,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
“Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign last quarter returned $120,000 from two political action committees both led by developers with active city contracts, the latest instances of his political fund giving back money amid ethical and accounting issues,” by the Chicago Tribune.
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.
Kathryn Wylde, President and CEO of the Partnership for New York City, joins host Howard Schweitzer to reflect on her decades leading one of the nation’s most influential business organizations. Together, they explore how New York’s fabric is defined by its bottom-up composition—diverse voices across sectors united by a shared vision. The city’s resilience and commitment to public-private collaboration offer lessons for how government and business can work together to solve complex challenges. Featuring Public Strategies CEO Howard Schweitzer and Partnership for New York City CEO Kathy Wylde 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
