Former Illinois state senator Tom Cullerton wasted no time in transitioning from federal inmate to lobbyist in Springfield. Cullerton, who served time for public corruption, registered as a state lobbyist just days after his release from prison on April 14, 2023. This move highlights the well-established pattern of convicted Illinois politicians turning to lobbying as a means to utilize their accumulated access and influence for personal gain.
Cullerton’s conviction stemmed from his guilty plea to pocketing $250,000 in pay and benefits from the Teamsters through a no-show job. A union boss revealed that Cullerton was given the position as a favor to another state senator, whose identity remains undisclosed. Federal law prohibits Cullerton from working for a union or employee benefit plan for 13 years following his release, but it does not prevent him from joining the ranks of the Illinois General Assembly’s lobbyists.
The swift transition from inmate to lobbyist sheds light on the insular nature of Springfield, where lawmakers and lobbyists engage in hushed conversations around the Illinois Capitol rotunda and frequent the same downtown establishments. The close relationship between legislators and lobbyists, coupled with weak regulations, contributes to the pervasive greed and corruption in Illinois politics.
Illinois had no restrictions on the timing of former lawmakers becoming lobbyists until recently. Although a revolving-door restriction was enacted last year, it is criticized for its short cooling-off period and a loophole that allows lawmakers who complete their terms to become lobbyists immediately, rendering the restriction largely ineffective.
Furthermore, Illinois lacks transparency in lobbying practices. Unlike the federal government and many other states, Illinois does not require lobbyists to disclose their compensation, making it impossible for the public to know the extent of the influence exerted by powerful interests. Lobbyists only need to report the relatively small amounts they spend wining and dining lawmakers, leading to Illinois having one of the most inadequate disclosure schemes among all states.
Efforts to tighten lobbying regulations and increase transparency in Illinois have been consistently stalled or reduced to half measures. Even recent attempts to require lobbyists to disclose their compensation were rebuffed, indicating that Illinois ranks poorly in terms of lobbying regulation compared to other states.
The depth of Illinois’ lobbying culture is currently under scrutiny in the trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, who faces bribery and racketeering charges. The trial is the culmination of a broad federal investigation that implicated numerous lobbyists, including former lawmakers and executives from utility giant Commonwealth Edison and AT&T Illinois.
Lobbying in Illinois has a long history of veering into influence peddling and corruption. Scandals involving bribery and self-dealing have plagued the state’s political landscape for decades. Despite sporadic attempts to regulate lobbying, Illinois has lagged behind other states in implementing effective measures.
With approximately 13 registered lobbyists for each member of the Illinois legislature, the influence wielded by this group is immense. Lobbyists play a crucial role in shaping public policy, representing a wide range of interests and exerting their influence through personal relationships with lawmakers. Former lawmakers and individuals with close ties to prominent politicians often become the most sought-after and successful lobbyists in Springfield.
