DuPage may spend $282,000 on state, federal lobbyists
DuPage board members are considering whether to pay four lobbying firms a total of $282,000 to push the county's legislative agenda in Springfield and Washington, D.C.
Two of the firms - Roger C. Marquardt & Co. and NJ Kimme & Co. - would be new lobbyists for the county at the state level.
DuPage also might renew its contract with All-Circo Inc., which has been working with state lawmakers on the county's behalf since 2011.
The fourth firm, BGR Government Affairs LLC, focuses on federal initiatives.
On Tuesday, the county board's legislative committee is scheduled to take a series of votes on each of the proposed contracts during a 9:15 a.m. meeting at the DuPage administration building, 421 N. County Farm Road in Wheaton.
The panel's recommendations are expected to be considered by the full county board on Aug. 23.
As part of its proposed contract, All-Circo would be paid $102,000 for a period starting Sept. 15 and ending Sept. 14, 2017.
BGR Government Affairs might be paid $80,000 to promote the county's interests at the federal level between Sept. 1 and Aug. 31, 2017. The Washington, D.C.-based firm has represented DuPage since September 2009.
If Roger C. Marquardt & Co. is hired, the Wheaton-based firm will be paid $45,000 for a period beginning Sept. 15 and ending Sept. 14, 2017.
One of the company's employees, John "Chip" Humes, would coordinate the county's lobbying efforts in Springfield. He also would assist with the development of legislative strategies and DuPage's legislative agenda. In addition, he would help draft legislation and amendments.
As part of its proposed contract with the county, NJ Kimme & Co. would get $55,000 to do lobbying work from Sept. 15 to Sept. 14, 2017.
Vendor disclosure statements show the firm made a $1,000 donation to county board Chairman Dan Cronin's campaign in June 2015.
Roger C. Marquardt & Co. also contributed to the campaigns of five Republican county board members over the past year.
Between April 2015 and last month, the firm donated $1,000 to John Curran, $1,000 to Donald Puchalski, $500 to Brian Krajewski, $500 to Jim Zay and $250 to Sam Tornatore, records show.