Trustees Renew Federal Lobbyist Contract Following $800,000 Funding Win

Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | February 18, 2026

Article Summary: The JJC Board voted to renew its contract for federal lobbyist services on Wednesday. Administration and supporting trustees defended the expense by highlighting a recent $800,000 federal earmark secured for the college’s Entrepreneur Business Center.

Lobbyist Contract Key Points:

• The Deal: The board approved a one-year renewal of the contract with the firm providing federal lobbying services.

• The Return: Officials announced the firm helped secure $800,000 in federal funding from Senator Dick Durbin’s office.

• The Opposition: Trustees Broderick and Lee voted against the renewal, questioning the necessity of a federal lobbyist compared to state-level advocacy.

JOLIET, IL – The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, approved the renewal of a contract for lobbyist services, with supporters pointing to a significant financial return on investment achieved earlier this month.

The agenda item (3.2.6) covered the renewal of the college’s federal lobbying representation. Trustee Maureen Broderick questioned the value of the expenditure.

“None of the other colleges in Illinois have a lobbyist that goes federal. They all have the state,” Broderick said. “Do we really need somebody to be federal?”

In response, President Dr. Clyne Namuo and Kelly Rohder-Tonelli, Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Management, defended the strategy. Dr. Namuo announced that the college had successfully secured $800,000 from Senator Dick Durbin for the Entrepreneur Business Center, a result he attributed to the “collaborative effort” led by the lobbying firm.

“It’s no coincidence that our federal lobbyist worked for Senator Durbin. It’s no coincidence that our federal lobbyist worked in the Obama White House,” Namuo said.

Trustee Bottomley voiced support for the renewal, noting the complexity of applying for congressionally directed spending. “Having a lobbyist that helps navigate through that provides so much value and reduces staff time,” Bottomley said.

The motion to renew the contract passed. Trustees Bottomley, Garcia Guillen, Harris, Morales, and Budzinski voted yes. Trustees Broderick and Lee voted no.