Lobbyists earned $2.95 million in Cook County last year

Lobbyists in Cook County earned nearly $2.95 million in 2015, the highest reported level ever, according to statement from Cook County Clerk David Orr.

Lobbyists who are registered in Cook County are required to file reports twice a year with Orr's office. According to the reports, 85 elected officials and high-ranking employees throughout Cook County government were lobbied a total of 1,006 times between July 1 and Dec. 31 last year. Lobbying may include a phone call, meeting, email, letter, text message or event.

In 2014, Cook County lobbyists earned $2.35 million, about 25.4 percent less than in 2015, according to Orr's office.

The top five lobbyists, by total compensation, last year were All-Circo Inc.; Thomson Weir LLC; Fletcher, O'Brien, Kasper; Mary Kay Minaghan; and Nicolay & Dart LLC.

The top five lobbyist clients in the second half of 2015 were Noresco; PricewaterhouseCoopers; McLane Co. Inc.; Independent Living Systems; and Family Guidance Centers.

For more information regarding the lobbyist database or to search by firm, a person's name, or the name of an elected official, please visit cookcountyclerk.com.