St. Charles hires lobbyist to help with state legislative issues

The St. Charles City Council voted unanimously to hire a West Chicago-based lobbyist to assist the city with state legislative issues.

The city agreed Monday to pay John J. Millner and Associates $26,400 for the 2021-22 fiscal year, which is the same amount the city paid Bricor Consulting last year for similar services. St. Charles Police Chief James Keegan said the city decided to switch firms when the city's main contact at Bricor, Karen Ramey, left the company.

Keegan said John Millner would become the primary contact for the city. Millner is a former state senator and representative who served as Elmhurst's police chief for 16 years.

Keegan said hiring a lobbying firm is needed for city officials to get in front of issues especially important to St. Charles. Millner's responsibilities will include monitoring legislative proposals, identifying grant opportunities and facilitating meetings with legislators.

"Mr. Millner and his team have a rich history in the Western suburbs," Keegan said.

In an introductory letter to the city, Millner said his firm maintains "an almost full-time presence in Springfield" during legislative session days, and the city will benefit by having more influence on numerous issues.

The city's contract with Millner runs from June 1 of this year through April of 2025 at a cost of $2,400 a month. The contract automatically renews each May unless the required notice of termination is provided.

"Recently we've had a lot of discussions about energy, and obviously legislation about recreational cannabis," Keegan said. "A lot of times it's topic specific. But a lot of their effort is for the greater good of not only St. Charles but also our region. Sometimes things that affect us would affect other suburbs, but obviously they have our interests in mind and our objectives."