July 6, 2020 •
Chicago Lobbying Ordinance Stalled
Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s proposed amendment to the lobbying ordinance has been stalled.
The stall comes after Lincoln Park Alderwoman Michele Smith, chair of the Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight, said she has no plans to call Lightfoot’s ordinance for a vote.
The Mayor introduced Ordinance 2020-2328 in April over concerns that the language in the original ordinance passed by City Council late last year was too broad.
Additionally, there were concerns the ordinance would force registered lobbyists to give up positions on suburban bodies in order to keep lobbying Chicago government.
The proposed amendment would allow elected officials from outside Chicago to lobby City Council, the mayor, and other city offices.
This would be allowed as long as the public body they represent does not have pending or recurring legislative or contractual matters involving the city of Chicago.
In response to Smith’s statement, a spokesman for Lightfoot stated the administration looks forward to partnering with Smith to make necessary updates to any existing lobbying policies.
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