Ethics Legislation Summarized

Here’s what the members of the Illinois General Assembly saw when they considered ethics reform on Monday night:

Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act.

Creates a uniform statement of economic interest form that must be completed by all persons who are required to file that form under the Act.

Changes the nature of the required disclosures that must be made.

Requires the Secretary of State to adjust specified amounts that prompt disclosure under the Act for purposes of inflation, and requires the Secretary to make conforming changes to the statement of economic interest form.

Requires candidates filing for supreme court justice, appellate court judge, circuit court judge, or judicial retention to file their statement of economic interests in written or printed form.

Modifies requirements concerning legislator restricted activities and the code of conduct.

Prohibits a person appointed to an affected office from serving as an officer of a candidate political committee under specified circumstances.

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act.

Restricts fundraising during sessions of the General Assembly, regardless of county.

Modifies provisions concerning procurement and revolving door prohibitions concerning the fiscal administration of State contracts.

Provides further revolving door requirements for executive branch officers and members of the General Assembly concerning lobbying.

Modifies requirements concerning the Executive Ethics Commission and the Legislative Ethics Commission.

Modifies requirements for Executive Inspectors General and the Legislative Inspector General.

Provides that all investigatory files and reports of the Office of an Executive Inspector General are, among other exemptions, privileged.

Amends the Election Code.

Prohibits a member of the State Board of Elections from contributing to a political committee, serving as an officer of a political committee, or being a candidate supported by a candidate political committee.

Prohibits a limited activity committee from accepting contributions except under specified circumstances.

Provides that a limited activity committee may only make specified expenditures.

Amends the General Assembly Compensation Act.

Provides that the compensation to be paid per year to members of the General Assembly shall be paid bi-monthly.

Provides for member compensation on a prorated basis.

Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act.

Applies the requirements of the Act to municipalities, counties, and officials thereof, and other specified State officials.

Provides for home rule preemption under the Act.

Defines terms. Makes conforming changes. Adds an applicability clause.

Effective January 1, 2022.

The bulk of the bill can be found here.


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