Cook County lobbyists earned nearly $1 million in first half of 2011

Lobbyists were paid nearly $1 million during the first half of 2011 as they attempted to influence Cook County officials, although the number of reported contacts dropped by nearly 10 percent, Clerk David Orr announced Monday.

The 178 active lobbyists in Cook County earned $924,136 and reported 632 lobbying contacts between January and June, down from 700 contacts during the last half of 2010, according to data released by Orr.