Hanover Park approves one‑year lobbying contract after trustees seek better reporting; board also approves warrants

Hanover Park, Ill. — The Village of Hanover Park Board of Trustees on Dec. 18 authorized the village manager to enter a one‑year lobbying-services agreement and approved multiple financial warrants, after trustees pressed for clearer reporting on what the firm does for the village.

The board’s agenda item described a contract for lobbying services from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 30, 2026. Trustees asked for concrete examples of results, how the firm monitors grants and provides counsel on state matters, and whether the firm’s local political activity could hinder effectiveness in Springfield. Several trustees sought an explicit reporting requirement and requested one‑on‑one meetings with the firm so trustees could hear how the firm advocates for Hanover Park’s priorities.

Mayor Rodney S. Craig and staff said the firm provides legislative monitoring and grant‑tracking services, supplies briefings for village officials when they travel to Springfield, and serves as the village’s contact for state agencies. Trustees noted the contract is paid monthly and that there is a termination clause allowing either party to end the agreement with 30 days’ prior written notice.

Trustee concerns included whether the written updates provided in the packet were sufficiently Hanover Park‑specific and whether the firm’s political involvement in DuPage County could complicate advocacy with some state legislators. A trustee urged the board to invite the firm to meet with trustees and said the board could terminate the contract if expectations were not met during the term. Another trustee proposed adding a contract requirement for Village‑specific reporting; the mayor and staff said they preferred to approve the contract now and schedule meetings with the firm in January to discuss reporting and scope.

Vote at a glance: - Lobbying contract (item 7817): Motion to authorize the village manager to execute a lobbying‑services agreement for 01/01/2026–12/30/2026. Motion moved, seconded and approved by roll call. Trustees present voted in the affirmative after securing a commitment to schedule meetings with the firm and pursue additional reporting options. - Resolution to suspend permit for Hanover Park Sports Association (item 7013): Motion moved and seconded; after discussion the board approved the resolution (roll‑call affirmative). The discussion said the organization had not met lease requirements such as insurance and had limited use of the fields. - Warrant approval (12/18/2025): Approved in the amount of $948,432.75 (motion, seconded, roll‑call affirmative). - Board payments approved in advance (11/26/2025–12/11/2025): Approved totaling $2,248,599.56 (motion, seconded, roll‑call affirmative).

The board instructed staff to schedule meetings with the lobbying firm to discuss how it documents its work for Hanover Park and to consider contract amendments in the future if written reporting is required. Trustees emphasized they expect clearer, Village‑specific evidence of advocacy and grant assistance going forward.