Lobbyist information

Under Cook County's Lobbyist Registration Ordinance, any individual receiving payment or compensation for attempting to influence a Cook County elected official or employee on any executive, legislative or administrative action involving the county is required to register as a lobbyist with the Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Division.

A $350 fee is required when a lobbyist files a Lobbyist Registration Statement due every January 20 or when a new lobbyist registers for the first time. The fee should be made payable to the "Cook County Clerk's office."

Those individuals who lobby Cook County officials must file a semi-annual Activity & Expenditure Report by January 20 and July 20 each year.

In 2009, the lobbyist ordinance was amended to require more information from lobbyists about their activities. The report must now list any money spent while lobbying, dates of lobbying contacts, the entity on whose behalf the lobbying was done, names and departments of those contacted and the county matter at issue. (Coming soon: Lobbyists will file reports online and all report data will be available here.)

Lobbyists may mail or deliver expenditure reports to the Clerk's office. Lobbyists who miss the deadline must file a late report and are subject to an initial $50-per-day penalty. Those who fail to comply by the end of the month in which the report is due face fines of $150-per-day.