Issues management is both separate from and part of lobbying and advocacy that many people tend to consider different, but the similarities outweigh the differences. Many times, the only difference between a lobbyist and a grass roots advocate is that one is wearing a suit and the other is wearing blue jeans. Issues management, lobbying and advocacy are areas where Levi Moore/PROXY 2.0 has considerable experience. Here are some real-life examples:
ISSUE ANALYSIS
Casino Gaming – Under assignment with the Gersen Lehrman Group (GLG), advised a number of Manhattan-based law and investment firms on the probability of casino gaming expansion in Chicago, IL.
CEJA – Also under assignment by GLG, consulted with numerous Wall Street institutions on the elements involved in the Illinois General Assembly passing the Clean Energy Jobs Act and/or similar legislation.
COALITION BUILDING & ADVOCACY
I-DROP – Co-founded a coalition of healthcare institutions, medical professionals and interested individuals to educate members of the IL General Assembly on the benefits to uninsured and under-insured Illinois residents and the environment on establishing a prescription drug repository program. This led to the passage of a law that establised such a program, I-DROP, that others attempted to do for nearly a decade.
CAN TV – As a Board Member, head of the Public & Government Relations Committee and eventually Chairman of the Board of Directors, participated in and/or led the Chicago Access Network Television’s (CAN TV) efforts to renew the Illinois Cable & Video Competition Act on multiple occasions, which is the organization’s primary source of revenue. This involved coordinating an education/outreach strategy to inform stakeholders and members of the IL General Assembly and Illinois code agency senior managers on the civic importance of CAN TV.
IAFCC – As the chairman of the Illinois Association of Free & Charitable Clinic’s Advocacy & Policy Committee, worked the the association’s 42 member clinic representatives to secure its first ever State of Illinois direct funding during the 2022 Budget Session that now totals $22 million.
LOBBYING & ADVOCACY
Australia Trade Mission – While at the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, assisted Olin Corporation in securing remuneration it was due for the company’s Winchester Division through Australia’s National Firearms Program. Resolution involved working with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Illinois’ U.S. Senators and Australian trade and commerce officials. A key was a Chamber sponsored trade mission to Australia to meet with the trade and commerce officials.
Digital Billboards – Representing TransLumen Technologies (TTL), researched legal, advertising industry and public safety issues regarding electronic digital billboards. The findings were used to develop white papers and issue papers regarding a new TTL product offering and an eventual change in an ordinance that would allow TTL technology to be a viable outdoor advertising option in the City of Chicago.
AEA – While representing the American Electronics Association – Midwest, PROXY 2.0 educated various City of Chicago Alderman on the need to update the City’s Cable Franchise Agreement and Telecommunications Act. Neither of the policies had considered technological advances that would retard the emergence of young, video technology companies and established companies such as Microsoft and AOL.