Emanuel ethics reform stalls in City Council over non-profits

By Hal Dardick

Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s effort to tighten the city’s lobbying rules stalled Wednesday after aldermen suggested it could stifle democracy by scaring off volunteers who otherwise would get involved in their communities.

Whether the setback lasts long enough to be more than a blip on the mayor’s “reform and change” agenda won’t be known until Thursday morning. That’s when the City Council Rules and Ethics Committee meets again to consider a modified proposal being tweaked overnight.

Aldermen balked at a provision that would require anyone advocating city action on behalf of not-for-profit agencies to register as lobbyists if those agencies represent for-profit businesses. Local chambers of commerce were cited as an example.