Lobbyist Registration and Regulation
Illinois' Bill of Rights ensures "the people have the right
... to make known their opinions to their representatives."
Of the 12.5 million people who live in Illinois, a small army of
over 2,800 make their living presenting opinions to the people's
representatives. That's more than 15 lobbyists for every member
of the Illinois General Assembly.
Lobbyists in Illinois are among the least regulated in the nation.
According to a recent survey by the Center for Public Integrity,
only South Dakota, New Hampshire, Wyoming, and Pennsylvania have
fewer requirements for professional lobbyists.
Illinois' lobbyist laws are a hodgepodge of vagueness and inconsistency.
The laws are unclear as to who must register, and when they must
register. The law bars lobbyists from being paid on a contingency
basis when working the legislature, but not the executive branch.
Illinois does not require lobbyists to disclose what they charge
for their services, nor who exactly they talk to in the course of
lobbying, nor even what specific issues they lobby for or against.
Illinois requires lobbyists to report the names and adresses of
their clients, available on line, click
here, and will soon require that lobbyist gift reports be posted
on line.
ICPR supports improving lobbyist regulation by:
- Requiring lobbyists to disclose the terms of their contracts
with clients, including their fees and who, exactly, they lobby.
- Broaden the scope of "lobbying" that requires registration
to include boards, agencies, commission boarding authorities and
retirement funds.
- Clearly defining who must register as a lobbyist.
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