From the Beacon Blog

Lobby, lobby, lobby get your law passed here
By Beacon Blog on April 22, 2008
BY MIKE CETERA
Aurora is No. 3 -- in terms of what it spends on lobbying efforts, anyway.
Just in time for the continued local debate on the cost, value and political ramifications of paid lobbyists, the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform has put out a report on government lobbying efforts. The group wants to see statewide reform to give citizens more information on who is spending what for what.
The finding of interest locally: The city of Aurora spent more money than all but two other municipalities in fiscal year 2007 on lobbying efforts (Only Chicago and Crestwood spent more). Among all units of government, Aurora ranked 15th with $102,101 spent on lobbying.
Other items of note: Dan Shomon, Inc.-- the lobbying firm for the city of Aurora -- is listed as one of the top-earning firms in the state when it comes to government contracts. Shomon had three municipal clients, and reported more than $115,000 in income (the firm also represented Bartlett and Cordova -- the smallest town in Illinois with a paid lobbyist, "population 651 in Rock Island County with $7,500 paid," according to ICPR.
Also: Mayor Tom Weisner's former assistant chief of staff, Gerry Galloway, is listed among the firm's "contractual relationships."
Other notable communities with lobbying contracts:
* Elgin -- $27,500
* Naperville -- $32,220
* Rockford -- $5,000
* West Chicago -- $18,000
What is Aurora getting for the money? Not only is that a fair question for aldermen to ask, so, too, is: Why is Aurora paying so much for Shomon's services in comparison to other communities?
Further, it's clear most towns don't have their own hired lobbyist, which means one of two things: Aurora is paying for something it doesn't need (albeit a small price to pay in comparison to the entire budget) or the city's leaders are proactive unlike most other communities. I imagine the position you take depends on how well you think this administration has handled taxpayer money..