Ethics board expands illegal lobbying review after Tribune report on Emanuel emails

The Chicago Board of Ethics on Wednesday found there is probable cause that eight more individuals and the companies they represented broke the city's lobbying laws for actions revealed in Mayor Rahm Emanuel's personal emails — a substantial expansion of the number of potential lobbying violations now under review. The sharp increase in cases follows a Chicago Tribune report last month that found Emanuel's personal email accounts have served as a private avenue of influence for lobbyists, corporate executives and campaign donors who sought action from — or access to — the mayor. The Tribune found 26 possible instances where individuals contacted the mayor or city officials but did not register as a lobbyist or report that contact to the ethics board. -- More...