Lobbyists file earnings for the last half of 2005

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Lobbyists hired to influence Cook County government officials received nearly $980,000 in compensation during the last six months of 2005, according to figures released by Cook County Clerk David Orr’s office.

The $979,770 paid to lobbyists represents a 46 percent increase from the $666,893 they received during the first six-month period of 2005, documents submitted to the Clerk’s office show.

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.

During the recent filing period, 50 lobbyists reported incurring expenses or making expenditures, receiving payment, or both incurring expenses and being compensated. Those lobbyists totaled $10,408 in expenses and expenditures (see attached lobbyist expense report), compared to $17,613 in the first half of 2005.

The county has 217 registered lobbyists.

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.

To view list of lobbyists, click here.