This article is not intended and shall not be construed to apply to the following:
(a) Persons who own, publish or are employed by a newspaper or other regularly published periodical, or who own or are employed by a radio station, television station or other news medium which, in the ordinary course of business, disseminates to the general public news, editorial or other comment, or paid advertisements which directly urge the passage or defeat of, action upon, any legislative or administrative matter. This exemption shall not be applicable to such persons insofar as they receive additional compensation or expenses from any other source for undertaking to influence legislative or administrative action;
(b) Officials and employees of the City of Chicago, or of any other unit of government, who appear in their official capacities before any city agency for the purpose of explaining the effect of any legislative or administrative matter pending before such body;
(c) Persons who advise as to, or participate in, drafting legislation, or associated rules, at the request of the City;
(d) Persons who: (1) testify or comment publicly before any agency; (2) participate at the request of a City official, employee, or agency on a task force, commission, working group, advisory committee, or other similar body addressing an issue or situation of interest to the City, provided that the person does not advocate for additional work, responsibilities, contracts, grants, or other treatment from the City on behalf of their employer or client; or (3) fund or co-fund a City position or program at the request of or in coordination with an agency. This exemption (d) shall apply only to the extent that such persons engage in the foregoing capacity. If such persons also engage in activities for which this article otherwise requires them to register, they shall register for those activities;
(e) Persons who, either as a member of, or on behalf of, a not-for-profit entity: (1) undertake nonpartisan analysis, study, and research; (2) provide technical advice or assistance; (3) examine or discuss broad social, economic, and similar problems and related solutions; (4) make a self-defense communication; or (5) make a grassroots lobbying communication;
(f) Persons who: (1) participate in a grassroots lobbying event and whose lobbying is limited to participation at a grassroots lobbying event; or (2) are involved in organizing a grassroots lobbing event and whose contact with City employees or officials is solely in connection with organizing a grassroots lobbying event; or
(g) Persons who communicate with a City official, employee, or agency to influence any administrative action or legislative action solely through participation in a temporary youth employment program or transitional employment program.
(Prior code § 26.2-22; Added Coun. J. 5-16-90, p. 16204; Amend Coun. J. 5-17-00, p. 32667, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 7-24-19, p. 2394, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 12-13-23, p. 7721, § 1)