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Government RelationsMichael J. MacKinnon, LEED AP, P.E., M.ASCEPresident-Elect, Illinois Section
Government Relations
Regional and State Level Focus
State Lobbying Effort
Coordinated Lobbying Effort
White Papers (Reversal of the I&M Canal)
Letters to Governmental Leaders
Standards Committees
Regional and State Level Focus
Illinois Section’s focus has been on Regional and State level Government Bodies and Planning Boards
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning County DOTs and County Boards Illinois DOT and Illinois Tollway Authority State Legislature & Governor Case-by-Case for Smaller Jurisdictional Matters
Issues too parochial Limited resources to address
State Lobbying Effort
Began Legislative Road Trips in 2008
Traveled from Illinois Section to State Capitol During Spring Legislative Session
Attempted Local (i.e. Chicago) Dinner During Fall Recess Cost Prohibitive ($10,000+) Limited Interaction
Travel to State CapitalBefore the Recession
Travel to State CapitalAfter the Recession
State Lobbying Effort Event Day Coordinated by Registered Lobbyist
Send Invitations to Legislators for Evening Reception Coordinates Reception Hall & Introduces Legislators (14 Attendees
in Spring 2013) Provides Updates on Current State Legislative Items Affecting
ASCE Interests (i.e. Transportation, Environmental, Water Resources, Soil Contamination Remediation, etc.)
Scripted Message Provided to Members at Luncheon Prior to Meetings
Keynote Luncheon Speaker Member of Legislator Mayor or Other State Official (IDOT, etc.)
Similar to National Legislative Fly-In, Members Meet with Their Representatives and Senators
State Lobbying Effort (cont.)
Hired Lobbyist to Represent Illinois Section in 2011-12
Section Allocated $10,000 per Year Toward Effort $2,000 / Month During Primary Legislative Session (Jan.–May) Costs Offset by SPAG and Contributions from sister sections in
Illinois
Lobbyist Provided Monthly Updates on Legislative Issues Affecting ASCE Interests
Provided Gateway to Meet with Legislators More than One Time per Year
State Lobbying Effort (cont.)
Reception Attendees
Dan RutherfordJohn BradleyMike FortnerDavid HarrisCharlie MeierDennis RebolettiDarlene Senger
Jim DurkinBill BradyGary ForbyLinda HolmesDave KoehlerSam McCannKyle McCarter
State Lobbying Effort …Lessons Learned
Legislative Day Effective to Communicate with Elected Officials Face-to-Face Meetings Clearly Communicated Message Need to Follow up With Legislators
Use Report Card
Difficult to Schedule Legislators Not Always in Session One Branch in Session, Other Away Long Weekends Can Start on Thursday (No Friday Sessions) Section Needed to Plan Weeks in Advance Try to Preschedule Meetings
Each Member Contact Local Representative
State Lobbying Effort …Lessons Learned
Intensive Monthly Lobbying Effort Less Effective Received Monthly Legislative Updates ASCE Position Not Well Communicated with Legislators Limited Bang for the Buck Greater Human Capital Necessary from Section to Sustain
Ongoing Legislative Effort (Versus One Day “Blitz”) Need Better Ongoing Communication
Coordinated Lobbying Effort
While Legislative Drive Down Day Effective, Only One Day
IL Section Evaluating Participation in Larger Lobbying Groups Pool Financial Resources to Become More Effective Provide the Ongoing Human Resources for Sustained
Campaign Hyper-Sensitive to Legislative Session & Issues
Goals Mostly Aligned, But Does Not Capture All ASCE Interests
Less Section Resources Required for Effective Lobbying Do Not Control Message
ASCE Representative on Committees
Coordinated Lobbying EffortExample
Transportation for Illinois Coalition
Lobbying Group Focused on Funding Capital Bills for State Infrastructure Roadways Waterways
Members Include Governmental Bodies, Chambers of Commerce, Unions
Public Meetings Around the State Invite Local Public Officials Snow Ball Outreach Effort
Regional Transportation Summits
House Legislative Champions Reception
Coordinate Tours with Legislators in Their Home Districts to Educate on Shortfalls / Infrastructure Requirements
Work with Other Groups with Similar Interests to Build Larger Coalition
Illinois Section Report Card
Effective Outreach Tool
Simplified Facts for Lawmakers Inundated with groups seeking funding Easy to remember: Waterways getting a D- Educate legislators Easy for legislators to convey the message
Solid research to backup grades
Received print and TV news coverage Need to sustain effort!
Illinois Section Report Card
Utilized the Report Card to Educate Peers and the Public
Professional Organizations (ACEC, APWA, AWWA)
Chambers of Commerce
Local Governments
Professional Conferences
Illinois Section Report Card Lessons Learned
Need Solutions Which one item should
legislators focus on? Legislators need specific
solutions to solve problem
Letters to Government Leaders
Provide recommendation of PE appointment for a civil related post
Support funding for programs aligned with ASCE’s mission
Affect policy decisions New stormwater requirements Change in wetland mitigation requirements
Maintain relevancy
Letters to Government LeadersRecommendation of PE for Secretary of Transportation
Dear Governor Quinn:
On behalf of the 3600 Illinois members of the American Society of Civil Engineers, we strongly encourage you to appoint a licensed professional engineer as the next Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). In 2010 the Illinois Section of ASCE prepared an Infrastructure Report Card for the State that included grades of D for Roads, Rail, and Transit along with a grade of C for Aviation and Bridges. In order to improve these grades a professional engineer should have a leadership role with the Department of Transportation.
IDOT is, above all, a design and construction agency charged with ensuring public safety. The individual who leads that agency at your direction should be educated and trained in the design and construction of roads and bridges.
Historically, Illinois governors have appointed an engineer as Illinois Secretary of Transportation. This is more than a tradition; it is a wise public policy decision.
As you consider candidates to appoint, I strongly urge you to require that the next Secretary be a licensed professional engineer.
Sincerely,
American Society of Civil Engineers – Illinois Section
Darren Olson, P.E., M-ASCE
President
Letters to Government LeadersReview of County Stormwater Ordinance
Standards CommitteesASCE Members have sit on numerous state- and local-controlled design standards committees to ensure the best design practices Standard Specifications for Water & Sewer
Construction in Illinois MWRD Stormwater Specifications County Stormwater Ordinances
Contact information
Mike MacKinnon, LEED AP, P.E. M. ASCEPresident-Elect Illinois [email protected](312) 878-4854
Questions?