The taxi industry has declared war on Uber and its competitors, and the tech company, which dispatches unregulated drivers to supply rides at a lower price than taxis fare, is fighting back with some heavyweight Democrat lobbying talent. From NBC Chicago:

Beside recruiting President Barack Obama's former adviser David Plouffe to lead its policy branch, Uber has brought on a small army of lobbyists to tackle political issues on the state level—and here in Illinois, the fast-rising start-up is prepared to spend a lot of cash to defeat the traditional taxicab industry.

Crain's Chicago Business reports that Uber, eyeing Chicago (if not world) domination, has lined up an A-list lobby team including Gov. Pat Quinn's ex-Chief of Staff Jack Lavin and the firm Fletcher O'Brien Kasper & Nottage, which counts attorney Mike Kasper as a partner. Kasper helped Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel score a spot on the 2011 ballot amid residency concerns. (emphasis added)

Democrats normally love regulation, but money talks. And Uber is a darling of the high tech crowd, a more valuable constituency to Democrats than blue collar taxi drivers.

Hat tip: Peter von Buol