# Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-156 regarding registration of lobbyists and regulations pertaining thereto

[Votes](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/legislation) › [Ethics and Government Oversight](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/ethics-and-government-oversight) › [47th Ward: Matthew J. Martin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/47)

- Record number: **SO2023-0002937**
- Type: Ordinance; category: Municipal Code Amendments
- Status: Final
- Sponsor: [Matthew J. Martin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/47) (47th Ward)
- Committee: [Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/ethics-and-government-oversight)
- Introduction Date: Jul 19, 2023
- Final Action Date: Dec 13, 2023
- Official record: [Office of the City Clerk](https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=A4C2AEB8-4C26-EE11-9965-001DD804E9A5)

## Roll call: Passed Dec 13, 2023

**49 yea, 0 nay.** On motion of Alderperson Martin, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Hopkins, the matter was Passed. Voted at the [City Council meeting of Dec 13, 2023](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/152235C5-F883-EE11-8178-001DD83091CA).

**Yea (49)**: [Daniel La Spata](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/1) (1), [Brian Hopkins](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/2) (2), [Pat Dowell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/3) (3), [Lamont J. Robinson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/4) (4), [Desmon C. Yancy](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/5) (5), [William E. Hall](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/6) (6), [Gregory I. Mitchell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/7) (7), [Michelle A. Harris](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/8) (8), [Anthony Beale](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/9) (9), [Peter Chico](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/10) (10), [Nicole T. Lee](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/11) (11), [Julia M. Ramirez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/12) (12), [Marty Quinn](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/13) (13), [Jeylú B. Gutiérrez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/14) (14), [Raymond A. Lopez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/15) (15), [Stephanie D. Coleman](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/16) (16), [David H. Moore](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/17) (17), [Derrick G. Curtis](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/18) (18), [Matthew J. O'Shea](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/19) (19), [Jeanette B. Taylor](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/20) (20), [Ronnie L. Mosley](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/21) (21), [Michael D. Rodriguez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/22) (22), [Silvana Tabares](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/23) (23), [Monique L. Scott](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/24) (24), [Byron Sigcho-López](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/25) (25), [Jessica L. Fuentes](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/26) (26), [Walter R. Burnett](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/27) (27), [Jason C. Ervin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/28) (28), [Chris Taliaferro](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/29) (29), [Ruth Cruz](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/30) (30), [Felix Cardona Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/31) (31), [Scott Waguespack](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/32) (32), [William Conway](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/34) (34), [Gilbert Villegas](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/36) (36), [Emma Mitts](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/37) (37), [Nicholas Sposato](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/38) (38), [Samantha Nugent](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/39) (39), [Andre Vasquez Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/40) (40), [Anthony V. Napolitano](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/41) (41), [Brendan Reilly](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/42) (42), [Timothy R. Knudsen](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/43) (43), [Bennett R. Lawson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/44) (44), [James M. Gardiner](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/45) (45), [Angela Clay](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/46) (46), [Matthew J. Martin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/47) (47), [Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/48) (48), [Maria E. Hadden](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/49) (49), [Debra L. Silverstein](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/50) (50), Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (former member)

**Not voting (1)**: [Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/33) (33)

## Impact report

> Written by AI from [the official document](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/28740a2a-66d9-4f04-8afa-073b7e0c825f.pdf). AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.

This ordinance would change Chicago's lobbying rules by redefining who counts as a lobbyist, adding exemptions for certain nonprofit activities, and setting new fines for lobbyists who fail to register or file reports.

**Who it affects**

- **Nonprofit organizations**: People who lobby for a nonprofit would only count as lobbyists if they are paid or work professionally on it and the nonprofit has an operating budget and net assets of $5 million or more, and grassroots and self-defense communications would not require registration.
- **Paid lobbyists, attorneys, and consultants**: They would have to register if paid or spending at least $1,250, or spending more than 20 hours on lobbying, in any three-month reporting period, and report more details such as file numbers and the outcome their client wants.
- **Residents seeking city services**: Asking for services like water, sewer, garbage, tree trimming, pothole repair, graffiti removal, or block party street closures would clearly not count as lobbying.
- **Youth and transitional job program participants**: People aged 24 or younger in temporary youth jobs programs and people in transitional employment programs would not have to register when contacting the City through those programs.
- **Salespeople paid by commission**: Contacting only the City staff who make purchasing decisions about their goods or services would not count as lobbying.
- **City officials and employees**: They could ask for donations made directly to a nonprofit or charity if they get no direct personal benefit, do not target specific donors, and do not accept the gifts for others.

**What changes**

- Lobbyists would have to register if they spend more than 20 hours lobbying in a three-month period, even if not paid much.
- Lobbying reports would have to name the specific item (such as a file number) and the outcome the client wants.
- Taking part in or organizing a nonprofit grassroots lobbying event would not require registering as a lobbyist.
- Serving on a City task force or advisory group at the City's request, or funding a City position or program, would not require registration in that role.
- The Board of Ethics would publicly name lobbyists who fail to register or file reports, along with their fines.

**Money**

- Lobbyists pay a $350 registration fee per person, plus an annual $75 fee for each additional client after the first; the Board of Ethics may waive or reduce the fee for a lobbyist paid by only one nonprofit.
- Lobbyists who fail to register for one or more clients would be fined $1,000 per violation, with each day counting as a separate violation.
- Registered lobbyists who fail to re-register, amend, or end their registration would be fined $250 per violation per day, up to $20,000 per incident.
- Lobbyists who fail to file activity reports would be fined $250 per violation per day, up to $20,000 per incident.
- Anyone who knowingly makes, solicits, or accepts an improper political contribution would be fined at least $1,000 and up to the higher of $5,000 or three times the contribution.

**Where**: 47th Ward

**When**: July 1, 2024

## Timeline

- Jul 19, 2023: Referred, City Council. The matter was referred.
- Dec 11, 2023: Recommended to Pass, Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight. The matter was recommended to Pass by controlling legislative body.
- Dec 11, 2023: Substituted, Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight. The matters was substituted in Committee.
- Dec 13, 2023: Passed, City Council (49 yea, 0 nay), at the [City Council meeting](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/152235C5-F883-EE11-8178-001DD83091CA). On motion of Alderperson Martin, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Hopkins, the matter was Passed.

## Documents

- [O2023-0002937.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/c818c624-07b7-4297-9821-549ab3c0b0ce.pdf) (Legislation)
- [SO2023-0002937 Lobbying Ordinance Final.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/28740a2a-66d9-4f04-8afa-073b7e0c825f.pdf) (Legislation)

## Lobbying and money

> Computed links; money near a vote is not evidence that it influenced the vote.

**Who lobbied on it**

- Forefront: MEETINGS AND PLANNING RE: ETHICS ORDINANCES AFFECTING LOBBYING RULES FOR NONPROFIT BUSINESSES IN CHICAGO (O2023-2937) (3 filings, Jul 1, 2023 to Sep 30, 2023; Holly Ambuehl; matched by record number)
- Forefront: O2023-2937 (1 filing, Oct 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2023; Alec Lopata; matched by record number)
- Forefront: NEGOTIATIONS AND ENACTMENT OF SO2023-0002937 (2 filings, Oct 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2023; Holly Ambuehl; matched by record number)

## Related legislation

**More from Matthew J. Martin**

- [Exemption from physical barrier requirement for commercial driveway alley access for Barrett Homes LLC](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0029067-exemption-physical-barrier-requirement-commercial-driveway) (O2026-0029067, introduced Oct 14, 2026, Referred)
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-156 by modifying various sections and adding new sections regarding candidates for election…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0028868-modifying-adding-new-regarding-candidates-election) (O2026-0028868, introduced Sep 23, 2026, Referred)
- [Executive Director of Public Safety Administration directed to conduct audit of each city vendor that maintains, manages, or otherwise…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/Or2026-0028873-executive-director-public-safety-administration-directed) (Or2026-0028873, introduced Sep 23, 2026, Referred)

**More on Municipal Code Amendments**

- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 9-24-065 regarding ability to pay pilot program](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0029654-regarding-ability-pay-pilot-program) (O2026-0029654, introduced Dec 8, 2026, Council Introduction)
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 3, 4 and 8 regarding technical and scriveners' corrections (2027 Municipal Code Corrections Ordinance)](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0029649-titles-3-4-8-regarding-technical) (O2026-0029649, introduced Oct 21, 2026, Referred)
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14A, 15, 17 regarding management, structure, powers and functions of various…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0029644-titles-2-4-6-7-8) (O2026-0029644, introduced Oct 21, 2026, Referred)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/SO2023-0002937-regarding-registration-lobbyists-regulations-pertaining · Chicago Politics, an independent tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt