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A case for better laws

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Reports maintained by Secretary of State Jesse White’s office show lobbying entities in Illinois have spent more than $1.2 million so far this year on meals and entertainment, large gatherings, and other expenses that are required to be reported under the state’s lobbyist disclosure law.

But twenty percent of that came from just two groups, and none of those expenses were actual lobbying. From Ounce of Prevention…

“The expenditure reports filed with the secretary of state’s office include our April annual luncheon at an expense of $130,000 (which includes all costs of the event). For 14 years, the luncheon has been our premier public education and fundraising event bringing 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 — the luncheon is not a lobbying event. However, per Illinois law and secretary of state requirements, we always err on the side of caution in reporting the full costs when a reportable official attends.”

The Illinois Association of Park Districts has a couple of big events every year, and came in second…

“Maybe we have 40 members of the General Assembly in attendance,” he said. “It’s not a lobbying event, if you will. It’s not an accurate depiction of what you are doing organizationally. The legislators are an adjunct to the main event.”

* The top five…

1. Ounce of Prevention Fund: $132,521

2. Illinois Association of Park Districts: $109,129

3. Loyola University Chicago: $52,600

4. Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois: $47,526

5. Commonwealth Edison: $34,148

One through four all have big annual events.

* And then there’s this…

Not every lobbying entity reported spending money. The secretary of state’s website lists 2,063 entities registered as lobbyists. Of those, 1,677 have listed no expenses for large gatherings, meals and other entertainment, travel, or other reportable expenses.

That can cut both ways. Some groups register as lobbying entities to comply with state law, but don’t actually do much, if any actual lobbying. Other groups likely under-report.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 26, 15 @ 9:58 am

Comments

==2. Illinois Association of Park Districts: $109,129==

Nice that this association can spend tax dollars (membership fees from local governments) so thoughtfuylly. /s

Comment by cb Monday, Oct 26, 15 @ 10:03 am
This is just for expenses. I wonder if Diana Rauner’s position is forcing the Ounce to report things they otherwise wouldn’t have to.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Oct 26, 15 @ 10:06 am
How embarrassingly pathetic that Diana Rauner’s “Ounce” is willing to spend so much money to have Diana look inept. That luncheon, boy, Gov. Rauner is hearing his wife’s organization loud and clear.

The Rauner Campaign spend 7-figures in Ads with Diana Rauner personally vouching for her spouse… that Bruce Rauner cares about people… and has no social agenda.

Diana became fair game…especially if she’s President of an organization looking out for people, and her governor husband is intent on destroying Social Service… at a “spending” clip outpacing other lobbyists, luncheon or no luncheon.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 26, 15 @ 10:08 am
You have enough well paid lawyer/lobsters on your staff, you know how to word things so you don’t get caught. I would check the State Elections Commission database for the real picture, especially the ILGO fund — how many separate small checks are going into that, if any.

Comment by Not quite a majority Monday, Oct 26, 15 @ 10:09 am
The expense reporting system is a joke for all the wrong reasons. First, they require you to report every two weeks whether you have expenses or not and whether we’re in session or not. If you fail to file on time, you get fined…big time ($150 for missing a report deadline). It’s all self-reported which is why most lobbyists say zero. There are exemptions to the law so you can easily hide most of it. Frankly, other than say taking legislators on trips, a meal here or there isn’t particularly meaningful.

What is meaningful and where there are no requirements, is when you host host a fundraiser for a politician or when you bundle contributions. That’s where the real action is. But where are our good government organizations on this one? I’ve raised this issue myself repeatedly and nobody seems to care. Instead we get the focus on this kind of BS.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Oct 26, 15 @ 10:18 am
The headline of this post hit the nail on the head. Our small non-profit does a very small amount of lobbying and registers to comply with the law. We don’t hold events and we rarely if ever have incurred an expense. Meanwhile we have to pay large registration fee’s and report on nothing twice a month. This law needs to be amended and should focus on the groups with PAC’s.

This law was way over reach and was done hastily so legislators could pretend that they were doing something about corruption.

Comment by Ahoy! Monday, Oct 26, 15 @ 11:22 am
“This law was way over reach and was done hastily so legislators could pretend that they were doing something about corruption.”

Exactly right ahoy. Exactly right.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Oct 26, 15 @ 11:28 am
==2. Illinois Association of Park Districts: $109,129==

Agreed cb.

Lobbyists paid with tax dollars: They are the people that the people you elect hire with your tax dollars to protect the people you elect from the people you elect.

Comment by Anon III Monday, Oct 26, 15 @ 12:20 pm
To the Post,

My comment was also to highlight Rich’s point, in my eyes that you have a group, like “Ounce” with a single event, which has a high cost, and reporting that, truthfully, doesn’t reflect, at all, how others go about the business of lobbying, or the goals and reasons such monies are in circulation or being used.

That’s the shame of it all, and the fallout… is… this time… Mrs. Rauner.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 26, 15 @ 1:26 pm