TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF NOVEMBER 5, 2026
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Authority to increase purchase orders and exercise an option to extend the agreements for one year, for Contract 25-RFP-16, State Legislative Consulting Services, with Paul L. Williams & Associates, P.C. in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00, Blaida and Associates LLC in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00, and McGuireWoods Consulting LLC in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00, Account 101-15000-612430, Purchase Orders 3138610, 3138612, 3138678, and 3138611
Body
Dear Sir:
At the Board meeting of December 18, 2025, the Board of Commissioners authorized the Director of Procurement and Materials Management to issue purchase orders and enter into agreements for Contract 25-RFP-16 State Legislative Consulting Services with Paul L. Williams & Associates, P.C., Blaida and Associates LLC, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, and McGuireWoods Consulting LLC for a combined total of $100,000. These contracts expire on December 31, 2026.
As of October 1, 2026, there have been no change orders on this purchase order.
Original Contract Amount $100,000.00
Date of Board Approval 12/18/2025
Cumulative Change Order (10/1/2026) N/A
% Change of Original Contract Value 100.00%
Current Contract Value $100,000.00
Requested Increase or Decrease $100,000.00
New Contract Value $200,000.00
% Change of Current Contract Value 100.00%
Total % Change of Original Contract Value 100.00%
Under the terms of the agreement, the District is authorized to extend the services for two (2) additional one-year periods using the same hourly rates in effect under the purchase orders. This request represents the first extension under these terms.
This change order is in compliance with the Illinois Criminal Code as it was specifically provided for in the original contract, is germane to the original contract as signed and executed, and is in the best interest of the District.
It is hereby recommended that the Board of Commissioners authorize the Director of Procurement and Materials Management to execute change orders to increase the purchase orders and exercise the option to extend the agreements for the first one-year period from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2027, for contract 25-RFP-16 with Paul L. Williams & Associates, P.C., Blaida and Associates LLC, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, and McGuireWoods Consulting LLC in an amount of $100,000.00 (100.00% of the current contract value) from an amount of $100,000.00 to an amount not to exceed $200,000.00
Funds for the 2027 expenditures in Account 101-15000-612430 are contingent upon the Board of Commissioners’ approval of the District’s 2027 budget.
Requested, Shellie A. Riedle, Administrative Services Officer, CO
Recommended, Darlene A. LoCascio, Director of Procurement and Materials Management
Respectfully Submitted, Precious Brady-Davis, Chairperson, Committee on Procurement
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for November 5, 2026