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.
“Twenty-five states sued the Trump administration Monday over its latest tariffs, calling them a pretext for replacing import taxes the Supreme Court struck down in February,” by the Chicago Tribune.
“Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation Tuesday that will give the Illinois Department of Insurance authority to review and approve rate changes for homeowners and automobile policies,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
“Most Illinois retailers will be required to accept cash payments beginning in 2028 under a bill Gov. JB Pritzker signed on Friday,” by Capitol News Illinois.
“Springfield’s latest sexual harassment scandal has revealed ‘holes in the system,’ according to Gov. JB Pritzker — but not necessarily any missteps by Illinois House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch in responding to allegations of misconduct by a now-disgraced ex-state representative,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
“After losing his interim chief financial officer and budget director within days of each other, Mayor Brandon Johnson rejected suggestions today that his administration is unstable as it heads into another budget season without permanent financial leadership,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
“Mayor Brandon Johnson vowed Tuesday to do ‘anything and everything necessary’ to keep Chicago Public Schools afloat, but claimed it’s past time for the Illinois General Assembly to deliver on its commitment to fully fund public schools,” by the Chicago Sun-Times.
“Chicago’s Budget Director Annette Guzman is leaving City Hall, the second senior member of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s financial team to leave in the last week,” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
“Mayor Brandon Johnson praised on Tuesday the ‘maturation’ of Illinois House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch, whose handling of sexual harassment issues involving former state Rep. Harry Benton has made him politically vulnerable in leading the supermajority House Democratic Caucus in Springfield,” by the Chicago Tribune.
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 5, 2026
August 3, 2026
August 3, 2026
