(WTTW News)

Representatives of nonprofit organizations will be required to register as lobbyists starting July 1, under a measure approved unanimously Wednesday by the Chicago City Council to revise regulations first approved nearly four years ago.

The rules were included in a package of ethics reforms backed by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot that were approved by the City Council 50-0 in July 2019 as federal investigations shadowed City Hall.

The rules were set to go into effect Jan. 1, 2020, but were delayed after dozens of nonprofit groups objected, saying the regulations would force them to pay costly registration fees or risk fines.

The Chicago Board of Ethics attempted to clarify the new rules, issuing three binding advisory opinions that exempted grassroots groups or residents who press city officials on issues they are concerned about, but that effort ran aground during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The measure defines lobbying as asking for new resources or programs for their own nonprofits, and not asking for city services or information. Violations could trigger fines of no more than $20,000.

New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Philadelphia also require lobbyists for nonprofits to register with city officials.

The new law will exempt nonprofits with budgets of less than $5 million, and only require lobbyists who spend a certain number of hours and earn a certain amount of money to register.

Contact Heather Cherone: @HeatherCherone | (773) 569-1863 | [email protected]