It’s hard to believe that Chicago has rules that are more stringent than those that affect Illinois State Representatives and Senators, but they do.
Former Alderman Will Burns, from supposedly ethical Hyde Park, agreed to pay a $5,000 fine because he did not wait a year after leaving the Chicago City Council to work for Airbnb.
In Springfield there are no prohibitions.
It doesn’t surprise me at all.
First, Springfield isn’t some squeaky clean place.
Second, I would expect lobbying regulations to be more stringent in a place that’s more Democratic (this is one of the things that many conservatives and libertarians are horribly wrong about).
Third, well this isn’t a reason, but a one year waiting period or else a 5,000 dollar fine is still pretty weak and can’t be much of a deterrent.