Aurora keeps lobbyist despite close vote

Aurora lobbyist Dan Shomon and his firm likely will be under a larger microscope after aldermen voted 7-5 to renew his $84,000 contract.

Shomon, CEO of Chicago-based Dan Shomon, Inc., has represented the city since 2006 from Springfield to Washington, D.C. And every spring, aldermen wrestle with bringing him back for another year.

According to an overview of accomplishments prepared by Shomon, he's coming off a busy year, whether he was pushing the region's legislative priorities in Springfield, securing nearly $9 million in grants for Riveredge Park or being a "constant presence in Springfield" during legislative sessions.

Second Ward Alderman Juany Garza was not impressed and neither, she said, are her constituents.

"Some of my constituents are concerned that he is going to make more than $85,000 when we still have people that are laid off," she said. "So that, I have to question."

Chief Development Officer Bill Wiet defended the use of Shomon, saying he likely saves the city significant dollars every year.

"They (the lobbyists) don't just wait by the phone for the city to call them up and say 'We need help with this,'" Wiet said. "They actually come to our assistance by letting us know when legislation is pending in Springfield that might have an effect or might be an unfunded mandate that the city would have to absorb by certain bills being passed. So a lot of times, lobbyists are protecting our interests by looking for these unfunded mandates which, in turn, has the potential to save us many more times the potential cost of a lobbying firm."

Fourth Ward Alderman Rick Lawrence said the contract should be subject to the November election, citing Shomon's heavy Democratic ties.

"Dan Shomon obviously works very closely with the Democrats," Lawrence said. "What if they lose the election and then we come into a governor from the other side?"

Aldermen Garza, Stephanie Kifowit, Lawrence, Richard Irvin and Bob O'Connor all voted against renewing the contract. Shomon was not in attendance at Tuesday's city council meeting.