Lobbyists report earnings for 1st half of 2004

45 lobbyists collect more than $700,000

Wednesday, July 28, 2004

Lobbyists hired to influence Cook County government officials were compensated more than $701,000 during the first six months of 2004, according to figures released by Cook County Clerk David Orr’s office.

The $701,255 received by lobbyists represents a $474,206 decrease from the $1,175,461 paid to lobbyists during the last six-month period of 2003, files submitted to the Clerk’s office show.

During the recent filing period, 45 lobbyists reported incurring expenses or making expenditures, or receiving compensation, or both incurring expenses and receiving payment. Those lobbyists spent $11,432 in expenses and expenditures, compared to $17,179 in the last half of 2003.

The county has 187 registered lobbyists, with 181 filing by the July 21 deadline. Lobbyists who missed the deadline must file a late report and are subject to a $10-per-day penalty. Those who fail to comply after July 31 will face fines up to $100 per day.

Any individual who receives payment for attempting to influence county government is required to register as a lobbyist with the Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Division of the Clerk’s office. County ordinances specify that individuals who lobby county officials must file a semi-annual expenditure report with the County Clerk’s office.

A list of all registered Cook County lobbyists is available in the Cook County Clerk’s office at the Cook County Administration Building, 69 W. Washington St., 5th Floor, Chicago.