HJ0093 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0093 LRB101 15412 MST 64710 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The legitimacy of democratic government requires the public's trust that elected officials act in the best interests of the people of the State; and

WHEREAS, The trust of the citizens in their government at all levels has recently been tested; and

WHEREAS, The long storied history of this State has also shown the strength and commitment of its public servants to work to regain that public trust when shaken and ensure that citizens receive the honest services to which they are rightfully due from their public servants; and

WHEREAS, We, as a political body, know that our duty to act in the best interests of the State and its citizens requires us to rise above partisan and geographical divides while serving as their elected representatives; and

WHEREAS, The laws and operational practices of the State of Illinois affect all citizens, their trust in its governance, and the integrity of the democratic process; it is necessary and appropriate that the legislative and executive branches come together to review current State statutes, review enforcement of those statutes, take public testimony, and determine what additional measures could be enacted to reform Illinois government, while remaining mindful of our duty to protect the rights enshrined in both our State and federal constitutions; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that there is created the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Joint Commission shall have the following duties, to:

(1) Review the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act, the Lobbyist Registration Act, the Public Officers Prohibited Activities Act, and Article 50 of the Illinois Procurement Code;

(2) Review best practices concerning governmental ethics from local governments and other states;

(3) Seek input from experts and the general public concerning proposals to improve governmental ethics; and

(4) Make recommendations for changes to the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act, the Lobbyist Registration Act, the Public Officers Prohibited Activities Act, and Article 50 of the Illinois Procurement Code to improve public trust in government; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Joint Commission shall consist of the following members:

(1) 2 members of the General Assembly appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(2) 2 members of the General Assembly appointed by the President of the Senate;

(3) 2 members of the General Assembly appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;

(4) 2 members of the General Assembly appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(5) 2 members from the Office of the Attorney General appointed by the Attorney General;

(6) 2 members from the Office of the Secretary of State appointed by the Secretary of State; and

(7) 4 members appointed by the Governor, with no more than 2 of the appointments from the same political party; and be it further

RESOLVED, That no member of the Joint Commission shall be or have been registered to lobby State government in Illinois during his or her service on the Joint Commission or at any time during the five years prior to the effective date of this resolution; and be it further

RESOLVED, That Joint Commission members shall serve without compensation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate shall each designate one of the members of the Joint Commission as a co-chair and shall designate members of their staffs to provide administrative support for the Joint Commission as necessary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Joint Commission shall hold public hearings at the call of the co-chairs in accordance with the Open Meetings Act; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Joint Commission may issue periodic reports on its activities and shall issue a final report on its review and recommendations by March 31, 2020 to the General Assembly, the Governor, the Attorney General, the Treasurer, the Comptroller, and the Secretary of State.