Section 428.210  Definitions

"Advisory group" means a council, commission, committee, panel, or task force created by statute, executive order, or administrative action of the Director of the Department that, among its functions, provides advice and counsel to the Department regarding its programs and services or monitors Department operations.  Such advisory groups may be composed entirely or partially of persons other than Department personnel. 

"Conflict of interest" means an individual uses his or her official position for private gain (other than salary), gives preferential treatment to any entity or person in the conduct of official duties because of personal interest, impedes or adversely affects governmental efficiency or economy because of personal interest, fails to act impartially in the conduct of official duties because of personal interest, or engages in conduct that could adversely affect the confidence of the public in the integrity of the Department of Children and Family Services. The term also means that the circumstances are such that a reasonable person might conclude that an individual's judgment could be influenced by the nature of the circumstances, or the individuals involved. Conflicts of interest may be actual or potential.

"Director" means the Director of the Department of Children and Family Services.

"Employee" means:

any person employed full-time, part-time, or pursuant to a contract and whose employment duties are subject to the direction and control of an employer with regard to the material details of how the work is to be performed; or

any appointed or elected commissioner, trustee, director, or board member of a board of a State agency, including any retirement system or investment board subject to the Illinois Pension Code; or

any other appointee.  [5 ILCS 430/1-5]

"Non-Statutory Advisory Group" means an advisory group established by administrative action of the Director and supported by the Department, without a legislative mandate.  These groups are comprised of various stakeholder and constituent groups, as well as child welfare employees.  Non-statutory advisory groups advise the Director and Department leadership on their areas of expertise, as well as other subject matter related to and impacted by the Child Welfare System in Illinois.

"Meeting" means any gathering, whether in person or by video or audio conference, telephone call, electronic means (such as without limitation, electronic mail, electronic chat, and instant messaging), or other means of contemporaneous interactive communication, of a majority of a quorum of the members of a public body held for the purpose of discussing public business, or for a 5-member public body, a quorum of the members of a public body held for the purpose of discussing public business.  [5 ILCS 120/1.02].

"Statutory" includes laws created by federal or state legislative bodies.

"Statutory Advisory Group" means an organized and structured advisory group enacted or permitted by law with specific legislative requirements, mandates, and obligations to the Department, Illinois General Assembly, and/or federal Government.  Members of statutory groups are appointed by a governmental authority.