HB4919 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 14637 RJF 63550 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB4919

Introduced 2/18/2020, by Rep. Margo McDermed

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

5 ILCS 420/3-108 new
5 ILCS 420/3-202 rep.
5 ILCS 420/3-203 rep.

Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Provides that no legislator shall vote on a question in connection with a conflict of interest in either house of the General Assembly, or in a committee thereof, or attempt to influence the outcome of that question unless a presiding officer of the General Assembly requires that legislator to vote or advises that legislator that there is no conflict. Defines "conflict of interest". Makes conforming changes.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act is amended by adding Section 3-108 as follows:

(5 ILCS 420/3-108 new)

Sec. 3-108. Legislator conflicts of interest.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, and in addition to any other prohibition or requirement specified under this Act, no legislator shall vote on a question in connection with a conflict of interest in either house of the General Assembly, or in a committee thereof, or attempt to influence the outcome of that question unless a presiding officer of the General Assembly requires that legislator to vote or advises that legislator that there is no conflict.

(b) For the purposes of this Section, "conflict of interest" includes situations in which:

(1) a legislator or a member of the legislator's immediate family has or acquires a direct substantial personal financial interest, distinct from that of the general public, in an enterprise that would be financially benefited by proposed legislation, or derives a direct substantial personal financial benefit from close economic association with a person known by the legislator to have a direct financial interest in an enterprise affected by proposed legislation;

(2) a legislator or a member of the legislator's immediate family accepts gifts, other than campaign contributions duly recorded as required by law, from persons affected by legislation or who have an interest in an entity affected by proposed legislation and the legislator knows or reasonably should know that the purpose of the donor in making the gift is to influence the legislator in the performance of the legislator's official duties or vote or is intended as a reward for action on the legislator's part;

(3) a legislator receives compensation or reimbursement not authorized by law for services, advice, or assistance as a legislator;

(4) a legislator appears for, represents, or advocates on behalf of another before the General Assembly, unless without compensation and for the benefit of a citizen;

(5) a legislator or a member of the legislator's immediate family accepts or engages in employment that could impair the legislator's judgment, or when the legislator knows that there is a substantial possibility that an opportunity for employment is being afforded the legislator or a member of the legislator's immediate family with intent to influence the performance of the legislator's official duties, or when the legislator or a member of his or her immediate family stands to derive a personal private gain or loss from employment, because of legislative action, distinct from the gain or losses of other employees or the general community; or

(6) a legislator or a member of the legislator's immediate family has an interest in legislation relating to a profession, trade, business, or employment in which the legislator or a member of the legislator's immediate family is engaged and the benefit derived by the legislator or a member of the legislator's immediate family is unique and distinct from that of the general public or persons engaged in similar professions, trades, businesses, or employment.

(5 ILCS 420/3-202 rep.)

(5 ILCS 420/3-203 rep.)

Section 10. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act is amended by repealing Sections 3-202 and 3-203.