Western Springs Hires Lobbyist

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL — Western Springs hired a lobbyist this week to push Springfield to enact a law giving towns more power over the placement of 5G antennas, a big issue in the village. But one trustee suggested the $28,000 contract, which lasts through the end of the year, was not a good use of taxpayer money.

By a 5-1 vote, the Village Board approved the hiring of Dan Shomon, who represented towns a couple years ago involved in 5G antenna battles. Shomon is assigned to lobby for a proposed bill drafted by the village's lawyer.

Trustee Nicole Chen said Western Springs already has powerful legislators such as Rep. Jim Durkin, the House Republican leader, who are “very much aware” of the issue. "I don't know what paying $28,000 gets us that those legislators can't," she said.

Chen also inquired how a lobbyist could get support from lawmakers representing towns such as Peoria, where residents may not be as concerned with 5G antennas.

Shomon, who was at the board meeting, said many lawmakers are concerned about the issue. He also said a lobbyist should get legislators' attention through a variety of means. He noted he developed a Facebook page called "Small Cell Big Problems Illinois," focusing on 5G antennas.

Chen said she had looked at the page and saw that it was inactive. It has 56 likes and its last post was in June 2017.

Village President Alice Gallagher, however, said the page was active when 5G was last a big issue a couple years ago. The village, she said, had a responsibility to shepherd its proposed bill through the legislature. "That's why I think it's important to hire Dan Shomon," she said.

Village Manager Ingrid Velkme said the village needs the help of someone like Shomon who knows telecommunications issues. "We have legislators in this town, but we need to expand that because it can't just be legislators from Western Springs," Velkme said.

Chen was the only dissenter to hiring Shomon.

Many residents in Western Springs oppose 5G antennas, saying their radio frequencies pose bad health effects.