Clerk's lobbyist reforms approved by County Board

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Clerk David Orr applauds today's unanimous decision by the Cook County Board to approve the Lobbyist Sunshine Initiative.

"My goal was to reform how lobbyists report their activities and bring more transparency to who influences county government," Orr said. "I believe these improvements will shed a lot of sunshine on the process."

The new lobbyist law, sponsored by Commissioner Bridget Gainer (D-10th District) and co-sponsored by all other commissioners, will be effective immediately upon signature from President Todd Stroger. It includes a one-year ban on lobbying after leaving the county as an employee and adding lobbyist information on bid proposals and agenda items.

The online component -- where lobbyists will enter their activity for immediate public posting -- will be developed in the coming months by the Clerk's office and be ready next summer.