City Council
ORG
Council City Council
The City Council speaker, Christine C. Quinn, has said she wants to raise the ethical standards of the Council during her term. She also said she would soon build a gate system closing off her office to lobbyists, who will now be asked to make formal appointments to meet with the Council staff. The speaker's side of City Hall, the East Wing, has traditionally been open to practically anyone, creating ample opportunity for lobbyists to corner Ms. Quinn, her staff, and Council members. The City Council speaker, Christine C. Quinn, underscored how serious local officials are about controlling the shadowy but increasingly prevalent dealings between lobbyists and the local officials they try to influence. Quinn has said that she wanted to raise the ethical standards of the Council during her term. Quinn said that she was confident that the Council would pass all of the proposed laws. In the past, Council Democrats have opposed some limits on campaign contributions and matching funds, saying they would put candidates without the mayor's money at a disadvantage. Quinn said she would quickly seek the formal approvals necessary to restrict lobbyists from specific areas of her City Hall office and Council chamber during hearings and meetings. Quinn said she would soon build a gate system closing off her office to lobbyists, who will now be asked to make formal appointments to meet with the Council staff. 