Article: McCormick Place conflict? Lobbyist works for expo center and food vendor

McCormick Place officials seeking state approval for an $800 million expansion are represented by familiar faces: the same clout- heavy lobbyists trying to help a client land an exclusive, $100 million food contract from McCormick Place.

The previously undisclosed deal surprised several McCormick Place board members, who said they were unaware that the lobbyists, Alfred Ronan and John Potts, are also lobbying state legislators on behalf of McCormick Place.

"We did not authorize anything for that. I did not know there were lobbyists," said former Chicago Ald. Marion Volini, a member of the board that runs the convention center.

State Sen. Christine Radogno (R-La Grange) criticized McCormick ...

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