SPRINGFIELD, Ill.–The Illinois Credit Union League hosted Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner in their Springfield Legislative office where the governor met with several Illinois Senators. In the spring of 2013, ICUL moved to a newly built out office suite on the second level of Credit Union 1. Referred to as the Illinois Credit Union League’s Legislative Office, it houses Governmental Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, and the Office of General Counsel. The location is ideal as it is right across from the Capitol Complex so lawmakers and staff can easily access our building.
“The League board authorized the utilization of resources to expand our Springfield legislative office to enable us to more effectively represent the interests of credit unions before the General Assembly, constitutional officers and state regulatory agencies,” said Steve Olson, ICUL EVP/COO & General Counsel. “The decision of the Board has proven to be very successful. Legislators have used our offices several times throughout the past year. It has become a center for credit union advocacy.”
The Springfield facility holds all different types of events from legislative events and fundraisers to caucus meetings and lobbyist gatherings, hosting lawmakers and constitutional officers from both parties.
“On any given fundraising night, we are typically hosting at least one legislator, sometimes more,” said Keith Sias, SVP Governmental Affairs. “Our building has become a hub of political activity, drawing crowds throughout the legislative session for a variety of reasons.”
As an example, the Illinois league reported that each session week a group of over 50 business lobbyists uses the Credit Union 1 conference center-located directly across the hallway from the ICUL office suite. On the day of Gov. Rauner’s meeting, the Business & Industry Federation of Economic Concern (BIFEC), a non-profit organization composed of statewide businesses, trade associations, and corporations interested in Illinois business issues was holding a meeting at the same time in offices of Credit Union 1.
Below, Stephen Olson, ICUL EVP/COO & General Counsel; Governor Rauner; Keith Sias, ICUL SVP Governmental Affairs.