Page 17 - 1Q 2017 Reporter

for 2017 Government Relations Summit

Our key contact in Washington D.C., Rick Hohlt, arranged for a terrific dinner
reception, sponsored by our friends at The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago on the
Senate side of the Capital Building. Often a highly anticipated event due to the “pop in”

attendees, this year did not disappoint! We were visited by Senator Pat Roberts of
Kansas, Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, Senator Orin Hatch of Utah and our very
own Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois. The evening was capped off by a visit from Brett
Baier, Fox News Anchor, fresh off of his evening program. We concluded our evening

with an impromptu bus tour of several Washington monuments.

League Chairman Bill Smigiel noted, “I feel this year’s event seemed much more focused

and organized with “cheat sheets” on how congressional members voted on bills effecting
our industry and points on current legislation that is anticipated to effect our industry
going forward. Thanks to the Illinois Bankers Association, Cassie and Erich for a great

job in making it so much easier to talk to our representatives.”

The week was a fast paced, action-oriented, information filled time and one that is
likened to drinking out of a fire hose. Nonetheless, it was an important time for the

voices of our members to be heard. In fact, as is common knowledge, if we don’t make our
voices heard on Capitol Hill, the only voice that will be heard is our opposition. A special
thanks to Herman Bodewes and his staff for arranging all of the Congressional Meetings
– without their help, this years’ event would not have been possible.

Tyler Rouse, a veteran of the Washington D.C. Government Relations Summit, summed
it up our efforts to date well by saying, “I am confident that through the efforts of The

Illinois League of Financial Institutions and bankers from across the country,
the banking industry’s brightest days are ahead!”

Our task is not yet complete - The next six months will be crucial in

ensuring that the regulatory burdens are lifted on League

members. So please note that the next joint League/IBA

Washington visit will take place September 25 – 27, 2017. The

Illinois Bankers Association will be hosting this event and more

information is to follow so please, “save the date”!