Chicago Mob Linked Politician Cleans Up As Lobbyist. Chicago State spends money to lobby state — which isn't giving out money .

The Chicago Tribune reports:

Cash-strapped Chicago State University spent about $200,000 over the past two years to lobby state lawmakers, including contracts with consultants closely tied to legislative leaders whose inability to pass a state budget has contributed to the school's financial crisis.

With Chicago State's budget woes forcing administrators to lay off hundreds of employees, including professors, money continued to flow to the politically connected to help with the university's legislative strategy in Springfield and with communications advice for school leaders.

The most money went to the lobbying firm of former Democratic state Sen. James DeLeo, a longtime ally of Senate President John Cullerton and others. DeLeo's two-year contract, which expires in June, is worth up to $180,000 and is renewable for two additional years.

The university, which has long had Democratic allies and worked with members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, also paid nearly $20,000 last year for a short-term contract with Republican consultants to help convey to the governor and legislators the urgency of passing a new budget last spring.

Chicago Mob linked Jimmy DeLeo in the news.