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.
“State lawmakers approved new funding for public transportation agencies without large statewide tax increases previously proposed. Instead, the measure would be fueled by revenue sources that currently feed the state’s Road Fund and an increased sales tax targeted to the Chicago area,” by Capitol News Illinois.
“Amid growing public pressure for Illinois leaders to take a stronger stand against the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement in the Chicago area, the Illinois General Assembly early Friday approved legislation barring federal agents from making arrests near courthouses and allowing individuals to sue if their rights are violated during civil immigration arrests,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“The bill that cleared the General Assembly Thursday funds energy storage systems through a new charge to Illinois electric customers that will take effect in 2030. The bill also lifts a longtime ban on new nuclear power developments and gives new authority to state utility regulators,” by Capitol News Illinois.
“Illinois stands to become the next state that would permit doctors to help terminally ill people end their lives after the controversial measure cleared its final legislative hurdle early Friday in a narrow state Senate vote in which opponents questioned the bill’s morality and one said it could bring ‘a culture of death’ to the state,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“A House panel on Wednesday advanced a bill aimed at reforming a state pension plan known as the ‘Tier 2’ system, but only with the understanding that negotiations will continue and no final action will be taken until next spring at the earliest,” by Capitol News Illinois.
“Ten members of the City Council are demanding representatives from Ernst & Young attend a special meeting next week to review their audit of the city’s budget. The Nov. 10 special City Council meeting signals growing frustration with Mayor Brandon Johnson’s $16.6 billion 2026 budget,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
“A majority of aldermen signed onto a letter Thursday objecting to reinstating Chicago’s head tax and other components of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2026 budget plan. The 28 aldermen said they were ‘gravely concerned’ about what Johnson’s pitch for a monthly $21-per-employee tax on larger companies would do for job growth and companies leaving Chicago,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“Mayor Brandon Johnson’s job approval rating has inched up to 31%, but Chicagoans are less enthusiastic about his $600 million tax plan to ‘challenge the ultra-rich and corporations to pay their fair share,’ a new poll shows,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
“The board voted unanimously to authorize the $175 million payment to the city to support a municipal pension fund that covers city workers and some non-teaching district staff — but only if the entire $552.4 million tax surplus boost for Chicago Public Schools that Mayor Brandon Johnson has proposed comes through,” by Chalkbeat Chicago.
“Cook County officials seeking property tax relief for low-income seniors scraped by in the Illinois General Assembly, winning passage of a bill that expands eligibility for senior property tax breaks over objections from south suburban county leaders,” by the Chicago Tribune.
President Trump’s philosophy may be “America First,” but thus far in his second term, he has increasingly focused on foreign policy and has staked out a role in conflicts around the world.
President Trump has proposed several ways in which his administration may utilize the increased revenues his array of tariffs are yielding. However, these plans have yet to turn into reality as the White House faces legal obstacles that may primarily limit the application of the tariff revenue to offset the deficit impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
A power struggle is emerging over who will lead NASA into its next era – and where it will go. Read the Cozen Currents here.
All eyes are on Virginia. As the election nears, our political insiders unpack the campaigns, candidates, and key issues driving the race—and what these contests could reveal about the nation’s political trajectory heading into 2026. Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Julia Hammond, and Heidi Hertz, along with Jerry Kilgore, former Virginia Attorney General and co-chair of Cozen O’Connor’s state attorneys general practice. Listen 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 24, 2025
November 20, 2025
November 20, 2025
