Joliet Wants To Spend $10,000 Per Month For Consultant To Lobby On City's Behalf In Springfield

JOLIET, IL — One of Joliet's top department heads, director of public utilities Allison Swisher, is urging the Joliet City Council to approve a consulting agreement so that Joliet has a lobbyist at the state capital. According to Tuesday night's meeting agenda, Swisher has put forth a resolution authorizing a consulting agreement with Governmental Solutions, Inc. for state advocacy services.

"Governmental Consulting Solutions, Inc. will provide state advocacy services for a monthly fee of $10,000 as stated in the attached Consulting Services Agreement. The fee and scope of services will be reviewed on an annual basis and the engagement can be terminated at any time with 30 days' notice by the City," Swisher's memo explained.

Swisher pointed out that Joliet can benefit from a professional state lobbyist "to ensure our community's priorities are clearly and effectively represented in Springfield." A state lobbyist can assist with the following advocacy tasks:

• Conduct outreach to and educate Joliet's state legislative delegation, relevant state agency staff, and Administration officials.
• Monitor and review proposed legislation and regulations to identify benefits or impacts to City interests.
• Advocate on behalf of the City before state agencies, legislative committees, and the Illinois General Assem
• Assist in securing state funding for priority projects.
• Develop and support legislative or regulatory initiatives

According to Tuesday's meeting agenda, a request for qualifications was published in The Herald-News on November 11. Three qualification packages were received and evaluated by staff. Interviews were conducted with two firms on December 16. Based on the written proposal, Governmental Consulting Solutions, Inc. was selected to provide state advocacy services. GCS is based in Springfield and has provided governmental affairs solutions to organizations including municipalities, colleges, businesses, not-for-profits and associations since 2005, Swisher pointed out.