Elmhurst May Hire $50K Lobbyist

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst is considering whether to hire a lobbyist, who would be the city's voice in state government.

This week, City Manager Jim Grabowski told the City Council that he and the mayor had been discussing the possibility of hiring a lobbyist. A number of DuPage County towns use lobbyists to help get state grants, he said.

He said the hiring of a lobbyist would go through a council committee and that the city would issue a request for proposals for those interested.

The city's proposed budget for next year includes $50,000 for a lobbyist.

For the last few years, Hinsdale, which is a third the size of Elmhurst, has hired a lobbyist for $66,000 annually.

Hinsdale officials say the lobbyist has represented the village with the state's Interstate 294 expansion project. The village's concern is the Hinsdale Oasis, a big contributor to the local sales tax base.

The tollway closed the oasis, but the village wants to make sure the state keeps its promises for a replacement.

Hinsdale's village president, Tom Cauley, has expressed mixed feelings about having a lobbyist.