Zephyr Government Strategies | Rule Making
Once the legislature has adjourned, the governor has reviewed all the bills passed, the budgeting process has come to a close, and the frenzy in Springfield has begun to die down, the work may be done for others. For Zephyr Government Strategies, the work has largely just begun.
Illinois often gives broad rule-making authority to a vast array of executive branch agencies and tasks these agencies with implementing legislation. This process is complex, with the process governed by a cumbersome labyrinth of rules refined by a plethora of agencies over a number of years. Additionally, although State agencies have been given authority and oversight to implement laws, all rulemaking is subject to legislative review and approval by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. With years of experience trudging through Illinois’ rulemaking process, Zephyr can provide your organization some much-needed clarity about this process and what you can get out of it, and we can serve as your guide through this daunting process.
Although the rulemaking process may be confusing, having someone to help you get as much from it as possible is absolutely crucial for your organization. Legislation or executive orders are usually vague and open-ended, so the specifics of new laws and the exact ways they are implemented are up to the decisions made by the rulemaking State agencies of Illinois. However, rulemaking does not happen in a vacuum — rules are decided on after multiple public meetings and through extensive dialogue with any organizations that make an effort to be impactful.
How Zephyr Government Strategies Can Help Your Business
Zephyr can help you ensure your interests are heard as laws are implemented by being your conduit to the rulemaking world with excellent relationships with all members of JCAR and the administrative agencies that write the rules. We will get your foot in the door of these critical meetings, lobby every key player in government to ensure your interests are reflected in the rulemaking process, or even work to soften the blow of harmful legislation by lobbying for rules that allow your organization to adapt or overcome any potential hardships sent your way by Springfield.
Zephyr Government Strategies can also help your organization keep track of anything important that comes out of the rulemaking process in Illinois. We keep track of every important meeting and keep tabs on every important development to allow us to communicate any rules changes in Illinois that can affect your organization, your interests, or the way you conduct business. Allowing us to keep track of this daunting process for you will better enable you to remain proactive and stay ahead of all the changes coming out of our active government. Please get in touch with us today to discuss how we can help represent your interests in the rulemaking process.
Q&A:
What is the rulemaking process?
▪ The rulemaking process in Illinois is the process that decides how laws are implemented across the state, based on the language of the bill passed in Springfield. After bills are passed, Illinois rulemaking authority falls on an array of state agencies who decide the specific ways laws will be implemented after lengthy review and public consultation. This process allows you to make an impact on laws and reforms even after the Governor already penned his signature on them, giving you more tools to make your interests meaningful to Springfield.
Who has Zephyr worked with on rulemaking?
▪ Zephyr has worked with clients in a wide variety of fields, including local municipal governments and private clients in healthcare, cannabis, finance, transportation, and advocacy to make their voices heard in the Illinois legislative process. On behalf of our diverse array of clients, Zephyr has drafted laws, passed laws, repealed laws, amended laws, and shaped the debate in Springfield.
Before launching Zephyr, Michael spent more than a decade as Senior Vice President for State Government Affairs at McGuireWoods Consulting, where he counseled a diverse roster of clients, helping them define and achieve a wide range of objectives at all levels of government. In addition to his state government affairs work, Michael led the firm’s national multi-state practice, helping clients in statehouses across the country. Whether developing and executing a stakeholder engagement strategy, finding and managing teams of contract lobbyists or managing new market entry, Michael has an extensive network across the country that can help clients reach their goals.
Michael began his career as a senior legislative staffer for former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, where he gained an appreciation for legislative dynamics, including balancing the interests of various constituencies, driving momentum by forming creative coalitions, and effectively leveraging media attention to build critical support for the caucus and its initiatives.
“We realize that dealing with government at all levels can be scary, but so is being trapped in the old school status quo. Zephyr helps our clients navigate the government maze with confidence by finding the right exit ramp and by promoting mutual wins. While valuable outcomes don’t often come easily, we believe that clear thinking and hard work is the shortest distance between two points.“
Prior to joining Zephyr, Jeremy spent nearly half a decade working for McGuireWoods Consulting where he managed the office’s legislative tracking platform and provided analysis of all pending legislation and regulation at the statehouse and Chicago City Council. In addition, Jeremy assisted with the office’s business development initiatives through the drafting of proposals and client contracts.
Prior to joining McGuireWoods Consulting, Jeremy worked as an account executive at Resolute Consulting, an independent national public affairs and strategic communications firm. In that role, he assisted with the formulation of communications and outreach strategies for Resolute clients in the healthcare, energy, financial services, and real estate sectors. He also worked closely with the firm’s partners and other senior leadership on business development and marketing initiatives.
In addition to his experience at Resolute, Jeremy worked as field organizer on a Chicago aldermanic race.