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* The new governor has meant more subscriptions and more advertising revenues, so this is no surprise…

According to a review of state lobbying records requested by the Quad-City Times Springfield Bureau, 1,733 lobbyists registered with the Illinois Secretary of State’s office from January through April.

The number is up from 1,700 during the same time period last year and up by nearly 100 lobbyists who registered in 2013. […]

The numbers also show a move away from companies having their own, in-house lobbying teams. So far this year, there are 1,973 lobbying entities or organizations, up from 1,763 five years ago.

But check this out…

When it comes to wining and dining lawmakers, the biggest spending lobbying organization so far in 2015 is the Ounce of Prevention Fund, which is headed by First Lady Diana Rauner. Reports show the group, which is a public-private partnership that prepares children for success in school and in life, has spent $132,415 to wine and dine lawmakers this year.

Interesting.

*** UPDATE *** From the Ounce of Prevention Fund’s Megan Meyer…

Hi Rich-

We saw that Capitol Fax picked up the Quad City Times story on increased lobbying activity this year, and wanted to clarify the information reported about the Ounce of Prevention Fund.

The expenditure reports we filed with the state included our annual luncheon at an expense of $130,000 (which includes all costs of the event – meals, on-site materials, etc.), which dramatically inflates the appearance of our spending on lobbying efforts. For 14 years, our It’s Good Business to Invest in Young Children Annual Luncheon has been our premier public education and fundraising event that brings together the business, philanthropic and civic communities in support of early childhood education. Of the more than 850 attendees, only two were affiliated with state government. That event is not a lobbying event.

Our new legislator breakfast that we held in January is typical of our direct lobbying efforts (and was reported on an earlier expenditure report), and we spent $336 on a breakfast for 36 people, including 11 elected officials.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks,
Megan

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:30 am

Comments

Like husband, like wife.

Comment by the Other Anonymous Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:32 am
He is shaking up Springfield for sure.

Comment by Mama Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:34 am
Wouldn’t it be a surprise if all that $132,415 went to dining with members of just one party?

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:34 am
Well since the Rat closed you have to go to the Stratton and that is not cheap ya know.

Comment by Give Me A Break Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:36 am
Are they lobbying for or against Rauner’s proposed cuts to Human Services?

Comment by walker Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:36 am
It’s May, and they’ve blown $130k wining and dining lawmaker? Any measurable outcome?

Disgusting, instead of working for children they’re using donor money to schmooze with big shots. Every donor that’s not a phony like the Rauners should be ashamed.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:37 am
Now we know why the governor’s wife has a salary. She is a lobbyist who is wining and dining lawmakers. This does not sound legal.

Comment by Mama Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:37 am
Dang it, Mama beat me to the witty retort!

Comment by Johnny Pyle Driver Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:38 am
That’s 1.32415 Diana’s Chiefs of Staffs.

Ounce of Prevention, pounds of beef!

Comment by Deep Yogurt Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:38 am
$132,415 ? Apparently Illinois doesn’t have a law that restricts legislators to food that can fit on a toothpick.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:39 am
Does she lobby for Ounce of Prevention or her husband’s anti-union (RTW) agenda?

Comment by Mama Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:40 am
Well, since the Ounce was not part of the Good Friday massacre, I imagine all of that is essential spending.

Comment by Juice Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:42 am
Does Illinois have a law that restricts legislators to food that can only be eaten with a fork?

Comment by Mama Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:43 am
Mama & Streater,

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=465&ChapAct=25%26nbsp%3BILCS%26nbsp%3B170%2F&ChapterID=6&ChapterName=LEGISLATURE&ActName=Lobbyist+Registration+Act.

Unless your making jokes. In that case, be funny.

Comment by Deep Yogurt Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:45 am
*you’re. Dammit. Karma. Shouldn’t have been snarky. But couldn’t tell if you are being sincere or not.

Comment by Deep Yogurt Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:46 am
Oops

Comment by dawn Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:46 am
Would’t Rauner call all this “winin’ and dinin’” by an entity that gets state money “corrupt?”

Comment by Concerned Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:47 am
For crying out loud, Ounce of Prevention is going to be a Rauner front now, too?

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:50 am
Do you think he includes his wife in the grouping of “corrupt influence” that he wants to end in Springfield? Is the group she works for one of those groups that he wants to ban from giving political contributions? Of course I know the answer but just wanted to point out one more time that he only wants to demonize groups that he doesn’t like.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:51 am
Wonder “who” all attended these winin’ and dinin’ sessions?

Just thinkin’ out loud.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:51 am
Deep Yogurt, the restrictions in DC is the food has to fit on a toothpick, which is why Mama and Streater posed the question. To them, no, Illinois limits food to a certain dollar amount per day ($75?).

But I do hope Rauner uses this as an example of why we need ethics reform. “In four months, one organization spent over $130,000 to wine and dine legislators!”

Comment by Juice Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:52 am
Pretty sure IL was lobbying for this fertilizer plant around this time last year…?

http://qctimes.com/news/local/government-and-politics/branstad-defends-fertilizer-plant-amid-layoffs/article_c6925de0-2f9b-5b92-969c-76d0a5254af6.html

Comment by Under Influenced Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:53 am
Disappearing wine solved

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:53 am
Did she use their wine club membership wine?

Comment by Demoralized Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:54 am
no one should be allowed to use the words reform or ethics while the free lunch exceptions remain in the ethics act.

the limit is daily and its a clear way to toss cash benefits at the GA.

Both Madigans as I recall refuse to accept these free meals even though the GA fought to have this little kick back exempted from the ethics act.

Comment by Ghost Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:55 am
$132k? Really? That boggles the mind.

On an individual basis, you would literally have to take all 177 members out ten times each and spend the max allowable per day to reach that.

There had to be some “large group” exception receptions in there, but man they must’ve been extravagant. Ounce is charitable, right? I wonder what they’re administrative cost ratio is.

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:56 am
Wow..Just, Wow… What is the defense… ? I can’t even begin to try and do the math on this… That’s alot of cannoli…

Comment by Walter Mitty Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:56 am
Rich,
Congratulations on your continued success. Question, do you ever get “lobbied” or wined and dined?

Comment by Casual Observer Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:56 am
Mama - you don’t have to be paid to be a registered lobbyist. You just have to pay the registration fee. If you look at a lot of corporate entities, some of the people registered are not lobbyists but rather VPs or board members who plunked down the fee (or had their company pay).

Also - First Lady Rauner does NOT receive a paycheck from the Ounce of Prevention Fund.

http://www.rebootillinois.com/2015/01/21/editors-picks/caitlinwilson/first-lady-diana-rauner-ready-take-second-job-illinois-childrens-advocate-chief/32168/

Comment by Team Sleep Friday, May 8, 15 @ 9:59 am
Juice,

Got it. Was just trying to cut it off before it turned into a “Doesn’t Illinois have any rules?” thing. It may not have been going that way anyhow. Could’ve been sincere. If so, I apologize again.

Illinois favors reporting over restriction. That also probably explains why there are so many registered lobbyists. If there’s a chance something you will do may fall under the act, play it safe and register.

Also, looked it up because I was curious and $130,000 of that Ounce money was spent on a single “large gathering” luncheon. It’s not like they bought 3200 meals at Fritz’s.

Comment by Deep Yogurt Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:00 am
This gets better. I looked it up and they spent $130,000 on ONE lunch. Only 2 elected officials attended! 840 people were there. Excellent “lobbying” strategy.

http://www.ilsos.gov/lobbyistsearch/expenditurepdf?entId=1183&regYear=2015&reportType=8&amendNumber=0&fileType=Original&webDataXmlId=335600

Comment by hmmm Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:00 am
That’s only one bottle of his wine club wine. Not a very big party. And I’ll bet the Speaker poured his out in a nearby potted plant, just to be on the safe side.

Comment by Anon. Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:01 am
Hmmm,

Who knows though maybe they raised $250,000 and netted $120,000 on the deal

Comment by Deep Yogurt Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:02 am
$132,000 in four months works out to more than $1,000 every single day! That’s a lotta lettuce. Sure hope there aren’t any “corrupt bargains” being struck, lol! (Snark, of course.)

Comment by Crispy Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:02 am
What the heck am I missing here, can someone help?

Rauner has consistently berated special interest groups in Springfield as corrupting the system (mostly unions).

His wife heads a special interest group that leads the state in spending on wining and dining lawmakers?

Wow!

Comment by Finally Out (and now very glad to be) Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:04 am
“An ounce of prevention is worth $132,415 towards a cure.”

Or…roughly, 1,324 “Benjamin Franklins”

Just sayin’

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:06 am
No Preventing Ounce of Prevention - $132K in Lobbying

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:09 am
=This gets better. I looked it up and they spent $130,000 on ONE lunch. Only 2 elected officials attended! 840 people were there. Excellent “lobbying” strategy. =

A $150 per plate lunch, holy cow.

Comment by Get a Job! Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:10 am
As others have said, it appears it was one lunch, two officials were there. (Heck, it could have easily been the Governor and the First Lady). So I would say it was more just a normal luncheon/fundraiser and they reported it to error on the side of caution. So actually kudos to them.

Comment by Juice Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:10 am
Diana Rauner’s Group Not Curing Lobbying

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:11 am
Diana Rauner’s Worth to Organization? $132K an Ounce

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:12 am
Godfather II, right?

Comment by quicknote Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:12 am
Yogurt, you are correct about it being a fundraiser. It looks like they charged $150 a head. Just wierd that they filed it as a lobbying group expense. I think I’d have asked the hotel what the per plate cost was for those 2 lawmakers and just filed that.

Comment by hmmm Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:12 am
Hmmm,

Could’ve saved them this bad newspaper story for sure.

Maybe it’s an ex Schock staffer who just figures overreport everything to be safe.

Comment by Deep Yogurt Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:21 am
Yeah that luncheon is their annual gala type thing, not a lobbying event.

Comment by Not Sure Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:21 am
Hmmmm makes a good point. That is really odd, actually.

Comment by Centennial Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:21 am
As others have suggested, the $132,000 for “wining & dining” lawmakers is a tempest in a teapot. In actuality, it appears that the $132,000 was for the cost of an annual luncheon which had 840 attendees. TWO of those attendees were officials who apparently were guests of the organization.
No good deed goes unpunished!

Comment by Andy Raucci Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:23 am
Republican Bruce Rauner and “his den of wealthy thieves” are working day and night to destroy or way of life, and now the middle class has a way to fight back. It’s called the Illinois Constitution!

Constitution of the State of Illinois reads —

ARTICLE III SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS

SECTION 7. INITIATIVE TO RECALL GOVERNOR

(a) The recall of the Governor may be proposed by a petition signed by a number of electors equal in number to at least 15% of the total votes cast for Governor in the preceding gubernatorial election, with at least 100 signatures from each of at least 25 separate counties. A petition shall have been signed by the petitioning electors not more than 150 days after an affidavit has been filed with the State Board of Elections providing notice of intent to circulate a petition to recall the Governor. The affidavit may be filed no sooner than 6 months after the beginning of the Governor’s term of office. The affidavit shall have been signed by the proponent of the recall petition, at least 20 members of the House of Representatives, and at least 10 members of the Senate, with no more than half of the signatures of members of each chamber from the same established political party.”

Who among us will lead the drive to recall this arrogant, tone-deaf politician occupying the Illinois Governor’s Mansion?

Comment by PoliticalPro Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:23 am
News like this makes me sad.

Comment by Demise Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:26 am
- PoliticalPro -,

You’re an amateur, lol.

This will never happen.

===The affidavit may be filed no sooner than 6 months after the beginning of the Governor’s term of office. The affidavit shall have been signed by the proponent of the recall petition, at least 20 members of the House of Representatives, and at least 10 members
of the Senate, with no more than half of the signatures of members of each chamber from the same established political party.”===

Rauner owns the ILGOP GA. No way 10 GOP House members, no way 5 GOP Senate members sign on.

Not unless Rauner is under investigation or breaker his oath.

You are a Dope, and a rank amateur.

Go back to your dorm room.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:29 am
These parties would have cost $250,000 in the private sector.

Comment by Anon. Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:36 am
Pro - really?! Not to pile on, but Governor Rauner has only been in office for 4 months. He’s yet to put pen to paper on actual FUTURE budget bills.

Also - if you think he spent a lot per month to get elected - imagine what he’d drop to keep himself in office should a recall effort actually happen.

Comment by Team Sleep Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:37 am
This explanation passes the smell test. The PR could have been much better to have saved a teapot from a tempest.

Comment by A guy Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:38 am
-PoliticalPro-

Elections have consequences. We may not like those consequences but that doesn’t change them. Do you really want the GA to throw out a lawfully elected Governor 4 months into his term because they don’t like what he proposes? If so why have an election in the first place?

Besides you want to turn Rauner into a Martyr/Hero try recalling him. Don’t believe me look at Walker/WI.

Until he breaks the law or fails to perform his duties (note in a way that both parties agree) he is Gov till Jan ‘19 or longer.

Comment by Mason born Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:39 am
Here’s my question - and Mr. Raucci, perhaps you are best to answer it - how many other organizations (like Ounce) have a gala or fundraiser like this and report on their lobbying expenditure reports? I’m being serious, too. I’m not trying to be funny or critical. Just curious. Thanks.

Comment by Team Sleep Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:40 am
I would, personally, work against the recall, today and until very specific malfeasance ever occurred.

Period.

Elections have consequences. Get over it.

Rauner may be awful at the politics, but that isn’t a crime, and not recallable.

Dopes!

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:45 am
I only wish for a recall, but as pointed out its very unlikely. However, if he keeps stepping on toes and tries to oust some GOP folks in 16, just maybe, just maybe. As to the Ounce lobby, their a dime a dozen.

Comment by BlameBruceRauner Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:48 am
In Illinois, initiating recall is extremely difficult and Rauner’s personal funders would blow everyone out of the water.

Until the next scheduled election, the place to beat Rauner is in the GA.

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:51 am
Ounce of Prevention 2014 Form 990 (US)(latest available) reports lobbying expenditures in 2013 were $529,667, and for years 2010-2013 were $1,732,857. That ain’t chopped liver. Also, note composition of Ounce’s Board and compare with major donors to Rauner-related PACs, etc.

Comment by SilverStreak Friday, May 8, 15 @ 10:52 am
Now I know why we are stuck with the KIDS program, which is a joke!

How would it look if a school district spent $132,000 on lobbying? Would that pass the smell test?

Comment by JS Mill Friday, May 8, 15 @ 11:00 am
Looks like bad reporting. What they do for 840 guests, most of whom a donors and volunteers, is of no interest to me.

Comment by walker Friday, May 8, 15 @ 11:01 am
Well it is a lot more fun just to bash the rich people, than look at what the event was actually about…

Comment by OneMan Friday, May 8, 15 @ 11:06 am
Organizations are required to report the total expense for hosting a fundraiser or event in which, if I remember correctly, at least half of the elected officials in the General Assembly are invited (not necessarily attended). The total expense reported is for the entire event: space, staging, food, entertainment, etc.

It is a very misleading number when you look at it combined with all other traditional lobbying expenditures.

All associations that lobby and hold large events, annual meetings, etc. and invite the threshold number of legislators should be filing the same way in their reports.

Comment by CLJ Friday, May 8, 15 @ 11:09 am
Okay, don’t understand why the annual dinner was included in lobbying, but the explanation satisfies any interest I have in the story…

Comment by downstate commissioner Friday, May 8, 15 @ 11:10 am
One man Cheers to that!

Comment by BlameBruceRauner Friday, May 8, 15 @ 11:10 am
looks like we should have waited awhile before we posted our over-the-top comments, huh?

Comment by steve schnorf Friday, May 8, 15 @ 12:48 pm
- steve schnorf -,

Nah. it’s good to remind ourselves that Rauner has sets of rules, and no matter the extent of following laws, if you’re not a Rauner, you’re corrupt.

It’s good to be reminded.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 8, 15 @ 12:53 pm
My statement stands and is totally fair.

Would you be more comfortable with “dinner” instead of lobbying? Same effect.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, May 8, 15 @ 12:58 pm
Team Sleep-
The same news story reported that the Illinois Association of Park Districts spent $87,150 on “lobbying efforts”. Its report shows that $72,150 was for a luncheon attended by 1585 people. Forty-one of them were officials. I hope that information is helpful.

Comment by Andy Raucci Friday, May 8, 15 @ 1:05 pm
Yeah, Schnorf– $157 per plate is kind of high. Not appropriate for a not-for-profit.

Comment by Soccermom Friday, May 8, 15 @ 1:16 pm
Mom, it was a fundraiser. As long as it didn’t lose money (and I’m sure it didn’t) then the cost is only a factor in calculating the net. I’m sure their experience tells them that the people they target for this event aren’t the sort who eat the rubber chicken served on the campaign fundraiser and Lincoln/Jackson day trails.

Comment by steve schnorf Friday, May 8, 15 @ 1:41 pm
S-Mom, a lot of cultural NFPs do run into this kind of money, Zoos, Art Museums, Opera and Orchestra, etc. The net return from their crowd justifies it. Could have been a $500/pp event or more.

Question was asked, answer was provided, and still…the vitriol. Hate doesn’t know any bounds.

And the recall junk…go ahead. That would only do for him what it’s done for Scott Walker; put a jet engine on his back. Just silly.

Comment by A guy Friday, May 8, 15 @ 1:58 pm
===steve schnorf - Friday, May 8, 15 @ 12:48 pm:

looks like we should have waited awhile before we posted our over-the-top comments, huh?===

Can’t suggest much today Mr. Schnorf. They’re rolling at 78 rpms. Very thin line between going fast and being out of control.

Comment by A guy Friday, May 8, 15 @ 2:00 pm
Oh - A Guy -,

Mrs. Rauner heads up a not for profit that also solicits state money while also, in her other job, has a $100K Chief of Staff.

Between being married to the Executive of the State, and having a state employee and staff, and complaining about too cozy of relationships, it is what it is.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 8, 15 @ 2:11 pm
Too bad Megan didn’t sign off like this…

Thanks,

mm

Comment by NewWestSuburbanGOP'er Friday, May 8, 15 @ 2:29 pm
Oh OW-,

If this event raised a lot of money for Ounce, that keeps poring a lot of money into a public effort that the state also supports with some subsidy, it was probably money very well invested to raise a lot more.
Reporting it the way they did, not shrewd. But they answered it.

Comment by A guy Friday, May 8, 15 @ 4:13 pm
- A Guy -,

Leverage? lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 8, 15 @ 4:17 pm