(AP) — Cook County has launched a new online database of lobbyists and lobbying activity. County Clerk David Orr says officials have never had so much detail about how lobbyists try to influence county government. According to Lobbyist Online, 188 lobbyists made 576 contacts with Cook County officials in the first half of 2010.
About 85 companies have contracted with a lobbyist or a firm so far this year. Companies were based in Virginia, Nevada, Oklahoma and Washington, D.C.