Chicago mayor to introduce transparency ordinance

CHICAGO — Chicago's City Council will consider an ordinance that limits on lobbyists' monetary gifts to city employees and gives the public more access to information about the process.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel plans to introduce the ordinance Wednesday, saying it will offer "unprecedented transparency across city government."

The ordinance would create an online registration and reporting database requiring lobbyists to disclose who they lobby and what they lobby for.

The term "lobbyists" would also be added to the list of possible gift-givers who must limit gifts to city employees to $50 per gift and $100 annually.

It would also limit the costs of gifts lobbyists can give city employees and city workers would be prohibited from getting loans from lobbyists. Lobbyists would also be required to report campaign contributions.