QUAD-CITY TIMES
November 24th, 2003
By Pat Guinane

Ethics reform bill forces quandary

SPRINGFIELD — The sweeping ethics reform package the Illinois lawmakers approved last week could force a number of Gov Rod Blagojevich appointees to rethink their commitments to public service

The legislation, which awaits the governor’s signature, bars lobbyists and their spouses from serving on key state boards and commissions, even in unpaid posts

One of the more prominent examples is Jacqueline Kinnaman, the wife of Henry Bayer, executive director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31

Last week the Senate confirmed Kinnaman’s reappointment to the Illinois Industrial Commission, a salaried position she has held since 1989

Kinnaman does not engage in lobbying herself, but her husband is a registered lobbyist for AFSCME

“This is the first I’m hearing of this,” Bayer said Monday “Obviously, I’ll comply with the law”

At the same time, Bayer acknowledged that to be effective, he needs to meet with lawmakers from time to time

The lobbying provision, which would take effect in February, also applies to lesser-prominent panels

Anthony Licata is a Chicago real estate and development attorney Blagojevich appointed to a non-salaried spot the Capital Development Board His expertise made him an easy choice for the board that oversees state construction projects

Since his clients rely on him to work with state agencies such as the state Department of Transportation, Licata registers as a lobbyist

“I personally do not engage in what most people would think of as lobbying, that is, representing people for a fee, trying to get legislation passed,” he said

Licata also represents a suburban children’s museum that recently received state grant money to build a new facility

To him, it’s frustrating that he’ll likely have to cut off contact with state agencies if he wants to keep his spot on the Capital Development Board

“I got involved with the CDB because I wanted to help the governor bring about some positive change It’s an unpaid position,” Licata said “This is one of those ‘no good deed goes unpunished’ kind of things”

But are Licata and others like him actually lobbying if they call a state agency on behalf of a client or a charity?

Some argue that the state’s definition of lobbying is too ambiguous

“The state is overly broad on the definition of lobbyist so that it can collect fees on associations that don’t really lobby,” said Pam Tolson, executive director of the Illinois Society of Association Executives The ISAE represents employees of about 150 statewide professional and trade associations

“All citizens have the right to petition the government it’s in the constitution,” said Randall Witter, the group’s legislative consultant The question is whether they are being paid to petition the government

The ethics bill also hikes the annual lobbyist registration fees to $350 for most lobbyists and $150 for those representing nonprofit groups Both fees were $50 a year ago

With the price of access on the rise, groups will hold off registering members who don’t spend much time bending ears in Springfield, Witter predicted

“They’ll un-register,” he said ”They’ll back away”

Pat Guinane can be contacted

(217) 789-0865 or patrickguinane@leenet