Tell the IL House of Representatives: Pass HB1169 to Waive Lobbyist Registration Fees for Small 501c3s
- PURPOSE: Waives the state's lobbyist registration fees for small nonprofits (with budgets <$5M)
- SUPPORTED BY: See Fact Sheet. The Secretary of State is neutral on this bill.
- IMPACT: Removes a key barrier for nonprofits seeking to work with their elected officials, allowing them to register as lobbyists without paying expensive and burdensome fees that are difficult to fund due to grant and donor restrictions
- EQUITY NOTE: Supports small organizations, who are more like to be led by, and work with, Persons of Color. Removes a key barrier for advocacy organizations that prioritize equity work and policy change.
Background
Research shows that fewer nonprofits are engaging in advocacy. Yet, our voices are needed more than ever. Registration fees can be a key barrier to engagement. Compared to the private sector, 501c3s disproportionately struggle to access unrestricted funding for lobbyist registration fees. Many grants and contracts exclude such use. Thus, eliminating this barrier will improve compliance and engagement with the state's ethics laws among nonprofit stakeholders. The City of Chicago also waives nonprofit registration fees for nonprofit organizations. This bill should be included in the next budget or ethics package moved by the General Assembly. At the $5M threshold, roughly 30% of operating nonprofits in IL would be exempt from the fee.
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