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Mount Prospect hires lobbyist as trustees debate CloudHQ data‑center hurdles tied to Illinois BIPA
Summary
The board approved a one‑year, not‑to‑exceed $60,000 contract with Mac Strategies for state legislative advocacy after trustees debated why lobbying is needed, citing pension bills and the CloudHQ data‑center project hampered by Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA).
The Mount Prospect Village Board voted Dec. 17 to retain Mac Strategies Group for up to $60,000 for one year to represent the village’s interests in Springfield, following an extended discussion about legislative risks and local economic development.
Village staff said the contract supports the village’s strategic priority of legislative advocacy. Officials flagged several state issues that could have major financial impacts on Mount Prospect if enacted, including proposals affecting municipal pension benefits. Village Manager Cassidy (speaking for staff) said professional lobbying helps the village respond to “literally dozens” of pension bills that could shift millions of dollars of costs onto local property taxpayers.
Trustee Chip Filippone questioned transparency in hiring professional services and asked whether the village had run a bidding process for lobbyists. He also sought an update on CloudHQ, a multi‑building data‑center development on roughly 50 acres formerly occupied by United Airlines. Staff reported CloudHQ expects a ComEd substation to be finished in June and that a legislative issue is the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), a 2008 Illinois law that recent court decisions have interpreted in ways that increased perceived legal risk for data‑center tenants.
"They just want to carve out for data centers," a trustee summarized about developers’ lobbying goals; staff said CloudHQ is working with regional chambers and lobbyists to seek a statutory carve‑out. Trustees debated whether the state will act quickly after recent court rulings, and one staff member noted discussions with state Senator Walker.
Trustees also pressed for clearer documentation of procurement practices for professional services; several said they supported the contract based on prior experience with the firm and urgency of impending legislative sessions. The board voted by roll call to approve the contract.
The contract gives staff another resource for keeping Springfield officials apprised of Mount Prospect’s concerns on pension, tax and other municipal legislation; trustees asked for periodic updates on lobby activity and outcomes.
