Hinsdale Likely To Keep Lobbyist To Deal With Expressway Project

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale is poised to keep its lobbyist for another year, paying him $66,000.

The lobbyist, John D'Alessandro of JLD Consulting Group, has been working for the village for six years.

The village wants the lobbyist to help in dealing with the state's years-long Interstate 294 project.

According to a village memo, Hinsdale continues to negotiate several issues with the Illinois Tollway, many of which are related to the Hinsdale Oasis.

The village doesn't want to lose sales tax money from the Oasis.

The lobbyist's pay has stayed the same over the years, despite big increases in inflation.

At Tuesday's Village Board meeting, no one objected to the proposal to keep the lobbyist. A vote is expected at its next session.

D'Alessandro was a key aide for Democrat Gov. Pat Quinn from 2012 to 2015. After Republican Bruce Rauner defeated Quinn in the governor's race, D'Alessandro became a lobbyist.

According to the state lobbyist database, D'Alessandro has 19 clients. Two of them are government entities – Hinsdale and suburban Geneva.