PITTSBURGH, August 3, 2026 — Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor, today announced the addition of Martell Covington as government relations associate in its Pittsburgh office.
“Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law Friday that places guardrails on a drug discount program that hospitals and other healthcare providers say they rely on to help them care for vulnerable patients,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“In a letter sent to President Donald Trump on Thursday, Pritzker asked the president to send direct payments of $1,700 to Illinois families,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
“Illinois lawmakers on Thursday began investigating alleged misconduct by Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, that was outlined in a federal indictment,“ by Capitol News Illinois.
“Moments after being hailed by his lieutenant governor as a ‘champion for all women,‘ Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker declined Friday to offer an opinion on House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris‘ Welch’s leadership or whether Welch’s public responses have adequately addressed his handling of sexual harassment complaints against former state Rep. Harry Benton,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration again warned aldermen Thursday that their plan to sell $1 billion in city-owned debt isn’t finding any takers, leaving a hole in their 2026 budget package,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“Bally’s said it’s ‘resetting the pace of construction‘ on its permanent Chicago casino amid a dispute with City Hall over video gambling,” by CBS News.
“Mayor Brandon Johnson’s top aide intervened in a heated dispute this year between Johnson’s health commissioner and a politically connected antiviolence group that receives millions in public money despite concerns over how the nonprofit tracks its workers,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“The Chicago Public Schools need about $1.9 billion more from the state to provide an adequate education, a gap that has grown over the past two years, according to data released Friday by Illinois education officials,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
A challenging national environment has put the Senate majority within Democrats’ reach. Even so, securing an outright majority remains an uphill climb because the chamber turns over only about a third of its seats at a time and the battleground is tilted toward GOP-leaning states.
Even if Republicans retain the Senate, their majority will likely shrink, implying that the upper chamber may be more willing to push back against the White House than it has been in Trump’s second term.
Although currently not the base case, a Democratic-controlled Senate could change the course of the remainder of President Trump’s second term through oversight and a blockade of his nominations. Read the Cozen Currents here.
Budget season offers a window into state priorities, policy choices, and the challenges lawmakers are working to address. As state negotiations wrap up in Illinois, New York, and Virginia, we explore the tradeoffs, areas of agreement, and key decisions that shaped this year’s legislative sessions. What do these budgets reveal about governing today, and what do they signal for the road to the November midterms? Featuring Public Strategies’ Julia Hammond (VA), Sydney Holman (IL), and Katrell Lewis (NY). Listen here.
Policy Advisor
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.
August 10, 2026
August 10, 2026
August 10, 2026
