Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County Legislative Committee met Jan. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. CALL TO ORDER 

At 11:35 AM the meeting was called to order by Chair Dawn DeSart. 

2. ROLL CALL 

Member Eckhoff joined the meeting one minute after the meeting started, missing the approval  of the minutes, 24-0238. 

Additional Board Members present: Member Yoo, Member Cronin Cahill, Member Gustin, Member Rutledge and Member Deacon Garcia. 

Staff Present: Sheryl Markay (Chief Policy & Program Officer), Jason Blumenthal (Policy & Program Manager), Conor McCarthy (State's Attorney's Office),  

Guest: Greg Bales, Lobbyist with McGuireWoods Consulting, LLC  

PRESENT Chaplin, Childress, DeSart, Eckhoff, Galassi, and Zay 

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

3.A. 24-0238 

Legislative Minutes - Regular Meeting - Tuesday, December 12, 2023 

RESULT: ACCEPTED 

MOVER: Dawn DeSart 

SECONDER: Michael Childress 

4. PUBLIC COMMENT 

No Public Comment received. 

5. CHAIR'S REMARKS - CHAIR DESART 

Chair Dawn DeSart stated that she already made most of her remarks in County Board today. Chair DeSart introduced Greg Bales, a lobbyist from McGuireWoods, and read through Mr. Bales' bio, sharing his experience and accomplishments. 

6. ACTION ITEMS 

6.A. LEG-P-0001-24 

Recommendation for the approval of a County Contract to McGuireWoods Consulting  LLC, to provide Consulting Services as Lobbyists representing DuPage County before the U.S. Congress and the Federal Executive Branch for DuPage County’s Division of Transportation, Public Works, Stormwater Management and all other County departments and agencies, for the period of February 1, 2024 through January 31, 2025, for County Board, for a contract total amount not to exceed $96,000. Other Professional  Service not subject to competitive bidding per 55 ILCS 5/5-1022(a). Vendor selected pursuant to DuPage County Code Section 2-353(1)(b). 

Chair DeSart invited Greg Bales to say a few words where he shared that he feels very comfortable working with counties and will work towards getting DuPage the best ROI  on their tax dollars and their fair share of federal funding. 

Questions were brought up concerning the time gap between lobbyist contracts and the dollar amount increase requested by the (new) proposed lobbyist McGuireWoods versus the previous contract with BGR Consulting (Bill Viney). Mrs. Sheryl Markay addressed those questions. 

There were questions of how Mr. Bales will represent both Republican and Democrat  issues. Mr. Bales reassured the group that he and his firm are bi-partisan and work collaboratively. He further stated that McGuireWoods will purely follow the direction that the Board sets. 

There was discussion of the importance of DuPage County having representation in both Springfield and in Washington, D.C., pointing out the money brought to DuPage County through the work of our lobbyists. Mrs. Markay stated that having "boots on the ground"  moving quickly to defeat legislation that takes away local authority or other bills that do not align with the county's Legislative agenda is hard to put a value on.  

RESULT: APPROVED AT COMMITTEE 

MOVER: Dawn DeSart 

SECONDER: Liz Chaplin 

AYES: Chaplin, Childress, DeSart, and Eckhoff 

NAY: Galassi, and Zay 

7. OLD BUSINESS 

No old business was discussed. 

8. NEW BUSINESS 

There was discussion about the following issues concerning migrants/asylum seekers. The amount that the State and City of Chicago have spent on caring for migrants/asylum seekers. The fact that the situation at the border is unsustainable. 

Affordable housing and jobs are essential for migrants/asylum seekers as well.  

Chair DeSart asked Mrs. Markay to include border control/security in the DuPage Federal Legislative agenda. 

Greg Bales shared the information he's heard at the State and Federal level regarding legislation pertaining to migrants/asylum seekers and border control. 

Chair Deborah Conroy stated that we can create a bi-partisan letter from our Board encouraging  immigration reform at the Federal level. Chair Conroy shared that the county and surrounding municipalities are working to make sure the migrants/asylum seekers are getting to the landing  zone safely. She expressed gratitude to Wheaton Mayor Suess and Mayors in Glen Ellyn and  Elmhurst for their collaboration. 

Chair DeSart asked the Legislative Committee to reach out to Sheryl or herself with any items they would like to be addressed on the DuPage Federal Legislative agenda. 

9. ADJOURNMENT 

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

https://dupage.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=1161459&GUID=D9F976A4-A0C8-471B-A1EA-B86E924F99AC