Did Syverson’s guest violate Senate rules?
Wednesday, Dec 18, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Mark Maxwell at WCIA…
In a brazen move that violated Senate rules, state Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) brought Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician Rick Nielsen, the guitarist for Cheap Trick, onto the chamber floor in May during a sensitive time when his colleagues were considering whether or not to approve a Rockford casino and when Nielsen was lobbying support for one.
Nielsen stands to gain significant personal wealth if the Illinois Gaming Board approves the Hard Rock casino bid because his wife invested in the project. Nielsen is also in business with Syverson through the Stockholm Inn in Rockford.
On May 15th, Nielsen visited the statehouse to build support for the Rockford casino project. During his visit, he staged a public press conference from the statehouse press room, sought an audience with the governor, and passed out guitar picks to legislators on the floor in the House and Senate, all in support of approving a Rockford casino.
“I’m trying to help in the gaming industry,” Nielsen told TV cameras during his visit. “I came down here to see if I could kick it in the butt a little bit.” […]
According to Senate rules, “No person who is directly or indirectly interested in defeating or promoting any pending legislative measure, if required to be registered as a lobbyist, is allowed access to the floor of the Senate at any time during the session.”
According to the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, Nielsen never registered as a lobbyist. Had Nielsen registered as a lobbyist, he certainly would have been banned from entering the chamber. A Senate spokesman said, “The Secretary of the Senate was not aware of any reason he should not be a guest on the Senate floor.”
You could make an argument that Nielsen should’ve registered as a lobbyist. A press conference is not lobbying. But handing out those guitar picks thing could’ve been over the line. Still, I’m not sure there was a brazen violation of the Senate’s rules if that is an open question.
Either way, another day, another Syverson story. Not good.
…Adding… The Senator never should’ve allowed his floor guest to hand out these guitar picks…
- Left of the Lake - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 9:39 am:
Dig Mark Dig
- efudd - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 9:42 am:
Yeah, but he’s a celebrity. How many pols, R or D got their picture taken with him?
Celebs, sports stars, they get passes, and as a society we enable it.
- TheInvisibleMan - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 9:42 am:
I know it’s unrelated, but this story has jogged my memory about that other person a republican house member brought onto the floor.
Specifically, they priest who was giving a prayer and wishing for death and destruction to be visited upon Illinois as punishment from god.
Now that, was a ‘cheap trick’.
- May Soon Be Required - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 9:45 am:
Let us not forget the only “Rule” that applies is the Gavel Rules
- Mr. B.A. - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 9:50 am:
I want you to want me…
- TNR - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 9:51 am:
At first blush, this seems kinda silly. It’s not like there were a handful of members who were on the fence and receiving a guitar pick enticed them to vote “yes” on the gaming bill. But if my memory is right, Nielsen was presented around Springfield that day as simply a civic booster for Rockford. The fact that he had financial skin in the game is a real problem. Syverson should have known better.
- King Louis XVI - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 9:54 am:
Another lobbying story of lawmakers misbehaving, but not registered lobbyists.
The problem is, uh, ’some’ lawmakers’ sense of entitlement and overweening self-importance lull them into the self-delusion that ethical rules - and other civilized codes of conduct - apply to others, but not to them.
Ironically, it’s the routine fawning, bowing, and scraping over legislators by lobbyists that helps drive that insufferable attitude of “I can do no wrong.”
- Billy Sunday - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 9:58 am:
Neisen, whether a registered a lobbyist or not, should not have been allowed on both the House or Senate floor as he had an invested interest on a particular legislation relating to his respective community–including passing out token items which reinforces his message before voting time. Intent was present and Sen. Syverson knew that.
- Nagidam - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 10:12 am:
I think this new task force can should up the the definition of lobbying. While Nielsen is famous he is a private citizen advocating on a single issue. Aside that this feeds into other perceived misdeeds of the Senator, how does Nielsen advocating for a casino differ from any other private citizens coming to the General Assembly and advocating for their particular interest? Should all private citizens register as lobbyists before they advocate for something?
- Norseman - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 10:16 am:
Stick to the story about Syverson’s conflict. That is the relevant issue for the public. Criticism of Nielsen’s visits to the chamber floors doesn’t even qualify for the “making a mountain out of a molehill” category. I can think of far more realistic deciding factors for a legislator’s vote on the issue (i.e. money, community interests, horse trading, party pressure …) than personally getting a guitar pick from and a photo with the Cheap Trick band member.
Do you really think that Bo Derek had a major impact on Illinois’ ban of horse slaughtering for meat?
- timmy tuesday - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 10:18 am:
How can any Democrat from Illinois question anyone’s actions when half the party is now indicted or under investigation from the FBI? LOL
- efudd - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 10:23 am:
timmy tuesday-
Going with the two wrongs make a right argument I see.
- Bertrum Cates - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 10:27 am:
/another-day-another-syverson-story-42
- OneMan - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 10:28 am:
Since April 1st is Cheap Trick day in Illinois every year would he get a free pass on that day?
- Nagidam - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 10:28 am:
Meant above:
“I think this new task force should take up the definition of lobbying.”
My multi-tasking powers are a bit off today.
- Billy Sunday - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 10:30 am:
Nadigdam…”how does Nielsen advocating for a casino differ from any other private citizens coming to the General Assembly and advocating for their particular interest”…
Coming onto the H/S floor while your interested legislation is pending (during the busiest time in May)? Neilsen received special access generally a citizen doesn’t get that privilege.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 10:34 am:
=== Coming onto the H/S floor while your interested legislation is pending (during the busiest time in May)? Neilsen received special access generally a citizen doesn’t get that privilege.===
And…
=== Yeah, but he’s a celebrity. How many pols, R or D got their picture taken with him? Celebs, sports stars, they get passes, and as a society we enable it.===
What’s the old adage?
“You changed my mind, but you’re not changing my vote”?
The idea isn’t at all good here, including what should be discussed, the Syverson angle to it, but I dunno how many members, pictured taken or but, thinking “Welp, he’s famous, i should change my vote”
- A Guy - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 10:34 am:
Hmm. Wonder if there were any selfies with him on the floor? /s
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 10:41 am:
===Do you really think that Bo Derek had a major impact on Illinois’ ban of horse slaughtering for meat? ===
Yes. You shoulda seen those old men slobber.
- Nagidam - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 10:44 am:
@ Billy Sunday
I think the discussion here, according to the senate rules, is “…if required to registered as a lobbyist.”
===“No person who is directly or indirectly interested in defeating or promoting any pending legislative measure, if required to be registered as a lobbyist, is allowed access to the floor of the Senate at any time during the session.”===
He has a singe issue that he is advocating for. Just like any other interested citizen. Should he have registered as a lobbyist. As I stated above that is something the task force should look into. What about a Mayor of say Danville coming onto the House/Senate floor or the Mayor of Chicago. Should they be denied access?
- @misterjayem - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 10:49 am:
“passed out guitar picks to legislators on the floor in the House and Senate”
Pretty sure anyone who’s ever been within three city blocks of Rick Nielsen has gone home with at least one Cheap Trick guitar pick.
– MrJM
- Billy Sunday - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 10:49 am:
@ Nagidam…Yep, I agree as to tightening the rules/setting up a task force..
@ RM: Very true, lol…with regard to Bo Derek!
Their ‘celebrity-status’ does come ‘along with their persona..’
- A Jack - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 10:53 am:
Guitar picks are fairly trivial things that most bands toss into the audience during a concert. Now if he was giving out front row concert tickets…..
- Norseman - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 11:02 am:
=== Yes. You shoulda seen those old men slobber. ===
I guess I slipped on that one.
- nurse - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 11:16 am:
Doesn’t look great, but Syverson has been bringing Rick Nielsen to Springfield from time to time for over a decade. And he always ends up on the Senate floor. It wasn’t a new thing.
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 11:26 am:
There is a significant difference between being on the Senate floor handing out Cheap Trick guitar picks on April 1 and handing out Rockford Casino picks on May 15.
- Billy Sunday - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 11:28 am:
@ Dance Band….Amen.
- Hyperbolic Chamber - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 11:40 am:
Guitar picks, regardless of cost, are something “of value” in the eyes of the law. Depending on who paid for them would determine whether Neilson should have registered. As for the Mayor of Danville, he would be exempt from registering:
(25 ILCS 170/3) (from Ch. 63, par. 173)
Sec. 3. Persons required to register.
(a) Except as provided in Section 9, any natural person who, for compensation or otherwise, undertakes to lobby… shall register with the Secretary of State… unless that person or entity qualifies for one or more of the following exemptions.
(1) Persons or entities who, for the purpose of influencing any executive, legislative, or administrative action and who do not make expenditures that are reportable pursuant to Section 6…
(1.5) An elected or appointed official…
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 11:46 am:
The legislature was more honest when Al Ronan just walked around handing out cash
- Soccermom - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 2:41 pm:
I didn’t know Syverson was part owner of the Stockholm Inn. That explains why we had such a terrible time when we were there last Christmas.
- Sayitaintso - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 3:10 pm:
“…you shoulda seen the old men slobber”. True, but I was one of the very few that had the class to use a hanky.
- Rich Hill - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 3:14 pm:
A song from the first Cheap Trick album comes to mind, but it may skirt the community standards of this site to quote it.
- Da Lobsta - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 3:21 pm:
Was Nielsen a lobbyist? I don’t know… If he was, he was a pretty darn successful one. Rockford investors better hope this thing is a success, because they really put their necks out there to make sure the right people got paid.
- LRBBQ - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 3:50 pm:
Nielsen…is a private citizen advocating on a single issue.
An issue he has a financial interest in.
Transparency laws must be applied uniformly and evenly if they are to be enforced at all.
The City of Chicago is coming to grips with this now.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/government/nonprofits-urge-mayor-slam-brakes-lobbying-changes
- TheInvisibleMan - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 3:50 pm:
@Rich Hill
There’s actually quite a few song titles on that first album that come to mind.
- Xmas ghost - Wednesday, Dec 18, 19 @ 5:27 pm:
When the parameters of who can or can’t lobby come into effect where does it end?
There are registered lobbyists and everyone else.
In the business world your network and contacts are how you get business done.
Is the world supposed to revolve on an axis of no one should ever know anyone and everything should be done on blind choice?
Forget what we’ve all been told about networking, marketing, communications, going forward just throw your name on the board and you’ll be next in line and get it? Regardless of your reputation and ability.