Lobbying in Cook County, Illinois
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Taxpayer-funded lobbying is the use of public funds by governments to influence other levels of government. Counties, for example, will pay lobbyists to influence the state or the federal government. This type of lobbying is often not disclosed to constituents. Counties hire lobbyists on a contractual basis, have lobbyists on staff, or join groups which promote or oppose legislation on their behalf. Lobbyists also help counties seeking specific projects or appropriations.
The county board votes on whether they will approve a bid or contract during their meetings. [1] The county seems to have representation from Richard Boykin on the national level, but Sunshine Review did not receive further information regarding this contract. [2]
[edit] Lobbying in Illinois
| Lobbyist | Year | Amount |
| Cecelia Hylak-Reinholtz | 2009 | $24,999 |
| Morrill and Associates | 2009 | $65,000 |
| Morrill and Associates | 2008 | $65,000 |
| Miguel Santiago | 2008 | $24,999 |
| Miguel Santiago | 2009 | $24,999 |
| Thomas Walsh | 2009 | $24,999 |
| Thomas Walsh | 2008 | $49,998 |
| Eugene M. Barnes | 2008 | $24,999 |
| Gregory L. Cox | 2009 | $24,999 |
Morril & Associates advises the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, as well as the Board.[3] [4] The lobbyist also gives guidance to the Committee Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations. This guidance includes:
- Legislative monitoring
- Research analysis
- Legislative expertise
- Recommendations on legislation affecting the county
The lobbyist represents all offices and agencies which are a part of Cook County or Forest Preserve District government and operations before the Illinois General Assembly.
Miguel Santiago represents the Cook County Board Commissioners. He represents the county before the Illinois General Assembly. [5]
Thomas Walsh represents the Cook County Board before the Illinois General Assembly, the offices of Illinois' constitutional officers and state agencies and departments. [6]
Eugene Barnes, [7] Gregory L. Cox, [8] and Cecelia Hylak-Reinholtz [9] consult the county and represents it before the Illinois General Assembly and other agencies and departments in the state.
According to the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, the following Cook County departments also lobby the state of Illinois in 2008 and 2009:[10]
| Office | Lobbyist | 2009 | 2008 |
| Cook County Clerk David Orr | Kreloff, Michael | $58,120 | - |
| Cook County States Attorney | Gerardo de Jesus Reyes, PC | $20,833.30 | $45,833 |
[edit] Federal lobbying
| Lobbyist | Year | Amount |
| Susan White | 2008 | $99,999 |
| Susan White | 2009 | $125,000 |
| Gregory M. Gill, Venable | 2009 | $125,000 |
| Barnes & Thornburg | 2008 | $99,999 |
Susan White represents the county. Her firm sends a report every six months summarizing the firm's actions on behalf of the county before the U.S. Congress. [11] [12] [13] [14] She has represented the county for over 10 years. [11]
Gregory M. Gill coordinates legislative initiatives with the county on behalf of Venable LLP. The consultants advice the Board officials on legislation and its possible impact on the county.[15] [16] [17] The lobbyist represents the county before the U.S. Congress.
Barnes & Thornburg represent the county before the U.S. Congress.[18]
In 2008, Cook County reported $200,000 spent on federal lobbying. [19]
[edit] Issues
Susan White lobbied for the following issues before the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, Department of Health and Human Services, and the White House in 2010:[20] [21]
Emergency and security
- Bioterrorism funds for localities for health providers and first responders
- Flu pandemic preparedness
- Homeland Security issues involving planning assistance, and direct grants for infrastructure
Health and welfare
- Health reform
- Restoring funds for Medicaid matching program (FMAP)
- Restoring funds for Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital programs
- The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
Economy
- Economic Stimulus legislation
Venable LLP also represented the county before the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The lobbyist aimed to get funds for the county from the following legislative areas and departments in 2010:[22]
- Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and related agencies for federal support for transportation projects for Cook County
- Interior; Environment and related Agencies for federal support for park related requests
- Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill for federal support for the health care related requests
- Support for transportation requests from the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ↑ Cook County Board meeting decisions, February 18, 2009
- ↑ Cook County, Richard Boykin
- ↑ Morril & Associates contract with Cook County
- ↑ Morrill & Associates contract with Cook County - County policies
- ↑ Miguel Santiago contract with Cook County
- ↑ Thomas Walsh contract with Cook County
- ↑ Eugene Barnes contract with Cook County
- ↑ Gregory L. Cox contract with Cook County
- ↑ Cecelia Hylak-Reinholtz contract with Cook County
- ↑ Governments Lobbying State Government, Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, 2010 (PDF)
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Susan White contract with Cook County
- ↑ Susan White legislative update reports
- ↑ Cook County policies - Susan White contract
- ↑ Cook County contract with Susan White - Economic Disclosure portion
- ↑ Gregory M. Gill, Venable contract with Cook County
- ↑ Gregory M. Gill documents, contract with Cook County
- ↑ Gill documents, contract with Cook County
- ↑ Barnes & Thornburg contract with Cook County
- ↑ Cook County - Open Secrets
- ↑ Cook County Lobbying Report 4-20-10
- ↑ Cook County Lobbying Report 7-19-10
- ↑ Cook County Lobbying Report with Venable 4-15-10
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