Government Relations Michael J. MacKinnon, LEED AP, P.E., M.ASCE President-Elect, Illinois Section.

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?