The letter below is representative of the letter that was sent to state and locally elected officials calling into question the hire of 3 lobbying firms by the College of Lake County Board of Trustees.
January 26, 2009
Honorable State/Local Representatives:
My name is Wendy Brown, I teach anthropology at the College of Lake County (CLC) and I am the chair of the faculty political action committee (CLCFT-PAC). Our membership has called into question the efficacy of contracts awarded to three lobbying firms (Jeff Dixon & Company, Dan Shomon, and Paul Williams) by the CLC Board of Trustees. Although CLCFT-PAC has concerns regarding these contracts, we recognize that our knowledge might be incomplete. As an elected representative, who in part represents the constituents of CLC, and to whom the lobbyists are claiming an advantageous relationship on behalf of CLC, we would appreciate any input. If you feel CLC benefits significantly from the efforts of these firms, we will consider amending our position.
We question the efficacy of the Board’s continual hire of said lobbyists for three reasons.
In November of 2008, their contract was extended again (for $60,000), through the 2009 year. During deliberations, CLC Board members were told that at least one of the firms was registered as a lobbyist in Washington D.C.; when CLCFT-PAC researched this claim, we found it to be false.
On behalf of the CLCFT-PAC, we thank you in advance for your comments.
College of Lake County, Federation of Teachers
– Political Action Committee