From the Aurora Beacon News:

Lobbyist granted another contract
April 23, 2008By Dan Campana
AURORA -- Aldermen gave resounding support to an extension of lobbyist Dan Shomon's contract, arguing his efforts to promote Aurora justify the $84,000-a-year base deal he receives.
Shomon endured a bumpier road than ever en route to the renewal, with some aldermen demanding more accountability for his work and one calling for him to be bound by local ethics rules.
The latter never materialized, but Shomon is now required to provide quarterly written reports.
The 9-2 vote, with Aldermen Rick Lawrence and Stephanie Kifowit dissenting, was preceded by a string of praise for Shomon's influence and presence in Springfield in the name of Aurora.
"We have to recognize the importance of someone like him in Springfield," at-large Alderman Richard Irvin said.
To that point, Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns highlighted letters of support for Shomon from state Rep. Tom Cross and state Sen. Linda Holmes. Shomon donated $550 to Holmes' campaign in 2007, records show.
Less convinced was Lawrence, who described Shomon's most recent activity memo -- highlighting the second half of 2007 -- as a "book report from a child who hasn't read the book."
"I just don't think it serves the city well," he added.
Kifowit, who made the request for more defined ethics language in a recent week, objected to the contract's cost. A report released Monday by the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform showed Aurora as Illinois' third-biggest spender on lobbyists among municipalities.
With total payments to Shomon of $95,101 between July 1, 2006, and June 30, 2007, Aurora ranked third -- behind only Chicago and Crestwood -- in lobbyist spending, according to city invoices used in the study.
Chicago spent $127,257 and Crestwood $120,000, the report states.
Shomon's contract pays him $7,000 per month.
He also can be reimbursed for up to $200 each month for expenses, although the contract allows for more if he obtains prior approval from the city.
Shomon began his work for Aurora in November 2005, several months after donating to Mayor Tom Weisner's campaign, and earned his first yearlong contract in February 2006.
Shomon also worked for Sen. Barack Obama, who endorsed Weisner during the 2005 mayoral race.
This week, Shomon declined to talk about how and when he met Weisner.
They mayor couldn't recall how the pair became acquainted and denied the $350 campaign donation had anything to do with the lobbying contract.