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 on Thursday renewed his call for legislation requiring insurance companies to justify and disclose the reasons behind steep homeowners’ insurance rate hikes — a proposal that stalled in the Illinois House last month despite support from the Democratic-controlled Senate,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“Hemp-derived products such as delta-8 can make people feel high just like cannabis does. Now, Illinois lawmakers are trying to figure out if they can regulate and tax them like cannabis, too,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
“Most state agencies were required to submit spending cut plans to Gov. JB Pritzker by Oct. 23, but the governor’s office has declined to release details about those plans,” by Capitol News Illinois.
“With money for new rail lines, regulations for residential development projects and a list of infrastructure priorities in the Chicago area, a public transportation bill recently approved in Springfield does more than just fill a transit funding gap,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
“Gov. JB Pritzker’s chief of staff took to social media last week to call out federal agents for taking a break from their militarized immigration enforcement operation in the Chicago area to play tourist and pose for group photos in front of the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“Mayor Brandon Johnson’s $16.6 billion 2026 budget was dealt a significant blow today when the Finance Committee voted down the revenue ordinance supporting the plan. The 10-to-25 vote on the revenue package, including reviving the city’s corporate head tax, ended a chaotic meeting,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
“Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order Saturday redirecting city funds towards food banks and other organizations fighting food insecurity in the wake of changes to SNAP benefits,” by Block Club Chicago.
“Opponents of domestic violence are applauding a move Friday by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to reverse course on what they said would have been devastating budget cuts included in his 2026 spending plan,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
“Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin announced Wednesday that the city will no longer invest in U.S. Treasury securities to protest the aggressive federal immigration raids in Chicago and what she called the Trump administration’s ‘authoritarian regime,’” by WTTW.
“The city of Chicago on Friday announced DoorDash will pay $18 million to settle its lawsuit that asserted the food delivery app used “deceptive” practices with restaurants, customers and delivery drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
Despite the Democrats’ convincing performance in last week’s elections, the clear takeaway for next year’s midterms is that the victor will likely be whoever sells a more convincing narrative on addressing widespread discontent, particularly around affordability.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth discussed a new effort to reform the Pentagon’s procurement process in a speech on Friday.
Even as congressional leadership’s attention has been consumed by negotiations over the government shutdown, efforts to advance a series of key legislative priorities unrelated to government funding are continuing apace among rank-and-file lawmakers. Read the Cozen Currents here.
Steve Kornacki, chief data analyst of NBC News, joins Howard Schweitzer, chief executive officer of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, for a conversation about how data shapes America’s understanding of politics—and even sports. From the Democratic sweep in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York to long-term voter realignment, Kornacki breaks down what the numbers reveal about turnout, trust, and the future of American democracy. Listen to the Beltway Briefing 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 17, 2025
November 17, 2025
November 17, 2025
