Former Madigan, Welch chief of staff hired as Springfield's statehouse lobbyist

The city of Springfield's new lobbyist is a familiar face at the statehouse.

Jessica Basham, a former chief of staff to Illinois House Speakers Michael Madigan and Emanuel "Chris" Welch, was approved by the city council Tuesday.

The Sherman resident started Basham Government Solutions, LLC, after leaving Welch's office in 2021. The contract with the city is for $75,000.

More: On the final day of filings, candidates line up to challenge incumbents Coffey, Scherer

"I'm incredibly excited about the opportunity to represent the city," Basham, 42, said after the vote. "I am a lifelong Springfield area resident, so I feel like I bring not only great experience working in the Capitol but also great experience living in this community."

A Southeast High School graduate, Basham studied at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville before transferring to Robert Morris College in Springfield, earning a bachelor’s in business administration.

Basham began work in state government in 2003. She was the director of research and appropriations for the House Democratic Staff before becoming chief of staff in 2018 when Tim Mapes resigned after a staffer accused him of sexual harassment and bullying.

Basham was one of five vendors to submit a request for qualifications or RFQ to the city and was chosen by a committee made up of people from different city agencies, said Mayor Misty Buscher.

The city formerly contracted with GR Consulting, which was headed by Larry Luster II and former State Rep. Art Turner Jr. The firm did put in an RFQ, Buscher confirmed.

The State Journal-Register requested the identities of the other vendors. The city's Corporation Counsel, Gregory Moredock, said they would not be made public until after Basham's approval by the city council.

Being the "eyes and ears" around the Capitol is just one part of her role, Basham said.

'A capital place for giants': Museum has village of Atlanta thinking big

"Of course, Mayor Buscher is going to be the face and the most important advocate for the city, but that is also a role I can perform, so not only just picking up information, but also actually working on pro-active agenda items to improve the city's lot," she said.

"I'm going to have to work with Mayor Buscher on understanding what her priorities are for the city's agenda. Ideas that I have thrown out there that I still believe are very important are receiving direct state investment in the city through infrastructure projects. Also, looking at different kinds of incentives that can help the downtown improve tourism, improve the viability of historic properties and revitalizing them."

Basham said she also would monitor legislative initiatives that could have "a measurable impact on the city, whether that be positive or negative."

Buscher said it's important that bridges be built so there is communication with the office and the legislators, particularly leadership, and Basham's experience can help navigate that.

Ward 8 Ald. Erin Conley said it was "a fairly recent initiative" for the council to have money allocated to have a direct voice at the statehouse.

While cities similar to Springfield rely on the Illinois Municipal League for guidance and representation, "we have some big issues and I think it's important that we have yet another voice with connections and experience who carries our messages for us and carries messages back to us. I want to know what's changing at the state level that we need to know about. Do we need to look at things for budget? That's important for us to hear.

"I certainly expect a qualified professional voice for the city of Springfield at the statehouse."

Kent Redfield, professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Springfield and a political commentator, said some people will look at the Madigan association with a wary eye.

Madigan, who served as speaker for 36 years, was indicted on racketeering, conspiracy, bribery and wire fraud charges. His federal trial is set to begin in April.

Mapes, the chief of staff Basham replaced, was convicted by a federal jury in August on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice for lying to a grand jury investigating Madigan and his inner circle. His sentencing is set for Jan. 10.

After Basham took over, she created a human resources department, an equal employment opportunity officer was hired and an independent counsel was brought in to review practices in the speaker’s office.

Redfield said ultimately Basham's lobbying work should stand on its own.

"She has policy expertise and because of her reputation she can get phone calls returned and meetings set up," he said.

SFD gets appropriation for new hires

Another consent item Tuesday gave the Springfield Fire Department permission to hire up to 21 new firefighters with an appropriation of $311,000 to cover additional costs for salaries not in the 2024 budget.

The number of new hires will be finalized Wednesday, said SFD Chief Ed Canny.

The class will start Jan. 19 with completion on Sept. 1.

The training is primarily done in Springfield, Canny said.

Graven hired at OPED

Former Downtown Springfield, Inc. executive director Kayla Graven started at the city's Office of Planning and Economic Development on Nov. 27.

OPED director Val Yazell said Graven was hired as operations coordinator and said her salary is "in the $70,000s."

Graven took the top spot at DSI in 2021 after being an assistant.

Graven's departure left Haley Simpson, the membership and communications manager, as the sole full-time employee in the office, but DSI board president Anthony Schuering said it was committed to hiring a replacement within two months.

This story will be updated.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: A former Madigan chief of staff is up for a Springfield lobbying job