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* Tina Sfondeles with the scoop…
Former state Rep. Ron Sandack — who abruptly resigned last year amid an extortion scam involving “inappropriate online conversations” — is Springfield’s newest lobbyist.
Sandack, who was lured into a scheme that ended in him feeling compelled to send money to a woman he met online, was listed as registering as a lobbyist on Tuesday, according to the Illinois Secretary of State’s lobbyist database. He is registered with the firm Gaido & Fintzen, LLC. Sandack intends to lobby the Illinois General Assembly and Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office, according to records. The firm, where Sandack is a partner, had previously not done lobbying in Springfield.
After going dark on social media for several months, Sandack reappeared in November. Sandack on Wednesday in a Facebook post congratulated the members of the 100th Illinois General Assembly.
“After the celebrating is over, I hope all can finally work together to truly address Illinois’ dire financial challenges; our great State deserves no less. Cheers … now get to work,” Sandack wrote.
Up until a few years ago, Sandack was pretty highly respected in the House. But he made a ton of enemies with sharp and often personal attacks on the floor when he became the governor’s de facto floor leader. Not a lot of tears were shed when he abruptly departed.
Unsurprisingly, his lobbyist registration form shows he doesn’t yet have any actual Statehouse clients. If he does somehow succeed at this new endeavor, it’ll be one of the greatest comebacks in Springfield history.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 10:10 am
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The owls are not what they seem. (Obscure Twin Peaks reference).
Comment by Anon Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 10:14 am
Yet another reason for banning former elected officials from lobbying or cashing in on their political “public service” for a period of at least five years….
Comment by Illinois Bob Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 10:16 am
I wondered this when I read Tina’s article late last night. I like Mr. Sandack, and I am of the mind that perhaps he is aiming to do behind-the-scenes legal work. Also - since he is registered to lobby the Governor and his staff - perhaps he is hoping to use his administration ties as a pitch to prospective clients.
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 10:17 am
His best buddy is the Executive Director at the tollway so maybe he can get a contract their. Coincidental as it might be, the present lobbyist to Springfield from the tollway didn’t get his contract renewed this year.
Comment by Inspector Gadget Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 10:17 am
Reminds me of when Terry Parke hung out his shingle.
I wish Sandack just as much success.
I would guess the Sandack name is not bringing as much legal work through the front door as it used to. A betting man would presume his days at the firm are numbered.
How can we miss you if you won’t go away?
How can we forgive you if you won’t repent?
Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 10:21 am
Did he ever patch it up with Rauner, the Frat Boys and Durkin? If I recall, they were blindsided by the sudden resignation of their attack dog. They had to be honked about that.
Who knows, if Sandack has learned to be cautious and discreet, maybe he can make business long, long time.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 10:23 am
This feels unsavory, and I don’t dislike Ron.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 10:24 am
==The owls are not what they seem. (Obscure Twin Peaks reference).==
Think that was from Blue Velvet.
Comment by Memo From Turner Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 10:29 am
Also incoherent that a guy who resigned to put his family first is now planning on spending half the week in Springfield.
I am not sure he has really thought this through.
Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 10:30 am
The governor’s terse comments upon Sandack’s departure notwithstanding, he rewards loyalty. See: Del Mar, Illinois International Port District. I imagine Sandack will sign clients soon.
Comment by LakeviewJ Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 10:30 am
If he’s well known and well liked, he’ll do fine. He needs to prove himself effective though - I’d recommend him to do a pro bono lobbying job for a nonprofit as proof he can get things done.
Comment by Grand Avenue Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 10:36 am
Juvenal - that is one of the things that drives me nuts about legislators who step down or decide not to run for reelection to “spend time with their families” and then pop up as lobbyists shortly thereafter.
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 10:40 am
Though he flew too close to the sun, I still think Sandack is a good guy with a servant’s heart. I hope he does well. Plenty of altruistic characters without those attributes certainly have.
Comment by Indochine Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 10:45 am
Ron has recently been contacted by several interests in the Phillipines that are looking for more opportunities in the state.
Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 10:52 am
“But who’s gonna hire him?”
Skype?
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 10:56 am
I think people may be making too much of this. Looking at the law firm’s website, and reading his outdated bio, it seems that Sandack was a partner at the firm prior to his resignation. So… it’s not like he must build up some big lobbying portfolio — he can just practice law at the firm and if he picks up a client or two to lobby, all is good. He may have just registered to keep his options open.
Comment by Just Observing Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 10:58 am
Now that he has pounded his frustrations out he can offer a hardy handshake
Comment by Rabid Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 11:01 am
Memo From Turner - it was Twin Peaks, Major Briggs shared it with Coop.
Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 11:02 am
Henry Francis, Major Bragg says it. But the Log Lady says it far earlier in the series.
Comment by illini97 Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 11:34 am
On the order of “who’s gonna hire him,” has Dunk got his administration job lined up yet? Maybe something fat at McCormick Place, Navy Pier?
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 11:43 am
If there isn’t a law prohibiting government agencies from using taxpayer dollars to lobby the legislature to get MORE taxpayer dollars….THERE OUGHTA BE!
Comment by Illinois Bob Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 11:52 am
We certainly need more ex legislators turned lobbyists.
Comment by Federalist Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 11:59 am
==” has Dunk got his administration job lined up yet? ==
Great question, sling. When is the payoff for Dunkin coming? The leftovers from Munger’s staff sure didn’t have to wait this long to find a cushy landing spot in the administration. Surely they wouldn’t leave poor ken out in the cold, would they?
Comment by Lincoln Clay Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 12:10 pm
Henry Francis, yes. Pretty sure the giant said it to Coop in his dream too.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 12:54 pm
18 new eps of TP later this year on Showtime.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 1:03 pm
Isn’t spending time AWAY from his family how he got in trouble in the first place?
Comment by Michael Westen Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 1:11 pm
**He may have just registered to keep his options open.**
Nope. He is actively seeking out clients. He wants to be a lobbyist. Not a lawyer who occasionally lobbies.
Comment by JoeMaddon Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 1:26 pm
If Sandack can prove he has a relationship with the Administration, he’ll find work.
When he starts walking around the rail with actual purpose…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 1:50 pm
Mr. Westen - yep. And that makes me wonder if resigning was his idea or someone else’s idea. I have always thought the latter. I love a good conspiracy theory but that just makes too much sense.
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 2:11 pm
He’s looking to get a piece of the video slot action.
Oh. Wait. That’s a typo.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 2:43 pm
There should be a 10 year ban on legislators becoming lobbyists at any level of government, be it local, county or state.
Comment by ILGOV2018 Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 3:35 pm
=Who will hire him?=
Maybe PQ.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 11:53 am