FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gail Siegel
Monday, July 24, 2006
Lobbyists hired to influence Cook County government officials received over $1,060,000 in compensation during the first six months of 2006, according to figures released by Cook County Clerk David Orr’s office.
The $1,061,131 paid to lobbyists represents a seven percent increase from the $991,771 they received during the second six-month period of 2005, documents submitted to the Clerk’s office show.
Any individual who receives payment for attempting to influence county government is required to register as a lobbyist with the Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Division of the Clerk’s office. County ordinances specify that individuals who lobby county officials must file a semi-annual expenditure report.
During the recent filing period, 49 lobbyists reported incurring expenses or making expenditures, receiving payment, or both incurring expenses and being compensated. Those lobbyists totaled $12,091 in expenses and expenditures (see attached lobbyist expense report), compared to $11,639 in the second half of 2005.
The county has 228 registered lobbyists, up from 217 in the last reporting period.
A list of all registered Cook County lobbyists is available in the Cook County Clerk’s office at the Cook County Administration Building, 69 W. Washington St., 5th Floor, Chicago.