Fee to petition state government

Recently enacted Public Act 96-555 increased the fees to petition Illinois government for registered lobbyists and their clients to a $1,000 per year. The fees had been $150 for Sec. 501(c)(3) corporations and $350 for everybody else. This applies to any person or group that falls under the definitions of the Lobbyist Registration Act. Part of the revenue currently generated goes to enforcement of the Act and part goes to the General Revenue Fund. The dedicated part of the enforcement fund now has a $400,000 balance. There is an effort underway to persuade the General Assembly to reduce these fees back to $150 and $350 this week in veto session using Senate Bill 2109 as a vehicle.