SB2135ham005 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Rep. Kelly M. Burke

Filed: 5/23/2020

10100SB2135ham005 LRB101 09971 JWD 72406 a

AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 2135

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 2135, AS AMENDED, by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the following:

"ARTICLE 1. GOVERNMENT EMERGENCY ADMINISTRATION

Section 1-1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Government Emergency Administration Act.

Section 1-5. Findings and purpose.

(a) The General Assembly finds that the statewide public health emergency caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 presents an unprecedented danger to the People of the State of Illinois, requiring the use of extraordinary precautions to reduce the risk of infection, causing delays in critical functions, and fundamentally altering the ways in which government must operate in order to serve the People of the State of Illinois.

(b) The purpose of this Act is to provide government with the tools that it needs to continue to serve the People of the State of Illinois and to better respond to the statewide public health emergency caused by the outbreak of COVID-19.

ARTICLE 5. RESTORE ILLINOIS

Section 5-5. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding Section 605-1045 as follows:

(20 ILCS 605/605-1045 new)

Sec. 605-1045. Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission.

(a) The General Assembly hereby finds and declares that the State is confronted with a public health crisis that has created unprecedented challenges for the State's diverse economic base. In light of this crisis, and the heightened need for collaboration between the legislative and executive branches, the General Assembly hereby establishes the Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission. The members of the Commission will participate in and provide input on plans to revive the various sectors of the State's economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

(b) The Department may request meetings be convened to address revitalization efforts for the various sectors of the State's economy. Such meetings may include public participation as determined by the Commission.

(c) The Department shall provide a written report to the commission and the General Assembly not less than every 30 days regarding the status of current and proposed revitalization efforts. The written report shall include applicable metrics that demonstrate progress on recovery efforts, as well as any additional information as requested by the Commission. The first report shall be delivered by July 1, 2020. The report to the General Assembly shall be delivered to all members, in addition to complying with the requirements of Section 3.1 of the General Assembly Organization Act.

(d) The Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission shall consist of 14 members, appointed as follows:

(1) four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(2) four members of the Senate appointed by the Senate President;

(3) three members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and

(4) three members of the Senate appointed by the Senate Minority Leader.

(e) The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Senate President shall each appoint one member of the Commission to serve as a Co-Chair. The Co-Chairs may convene meetings of the Commission. The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.

(f) This section is repealed December 31, 2020.

ARTICLE 10. BROADBAND ACCESS

Section 10-5. The Broadband Advisory Council Act is amended by adding Section 25 as follows:

(220 ILCS 80/25 new)

Sec. 25. Universal no-cost broadband Internet access.

(a) In furtherance of the purposes of this Act to expand broadband service to unserved rural and urban areas of this State and to achieve universal broadband service and Internet access for the residents of this State, the Broadband Advisory Council shall study the goal of providing free access to all residents of this State to broadband service through the expansion of the state broadband competitive matching grant program. The Broadband Advisory Council shall also study the alternative goal of providing affordable access to all residents of this State to broadband service. The Office of Broadband within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall support and assist the Council in the development of the study.

(b) The study must include establishing access to broadband service in zip codes identified as having high levels of poverty and in the areas of the State without the infrastructure necessary to meet the requirements for high-speed access to the Internet. To the extent possible, the study shall consider the incorporation and expansion of the initiatives established in the Connect Illinois Broadband Strategic Plan. The Council's study shall identify existing and new streams of State, federal and private-public partnership revenue to underwrite the creation of necessary infrastructure and purchase unlimited broadband Internet access to be provided, without charge, to some or all residents of the State. The Council's study shall include a recommended schedule for implementation of free universal broadband to the extent determined to be feasible.

(c) The Council shall issue a report on its findings and recommendations for any necessary legislation to the General Assembly no later than January 1, 2021.

ARTICLE 15. AMENDATORY PROVISIONS

Section 15-5. The Open Meetings Act is amended by changing Sections 2.01 and 7 as follows:

(5 ILCS 120/2.01) (from Ch. 102, par. 42.01)

Sec. 2.01. All meetings required by this Act to be public shall be held at specified times and places which are convenient and open to the public. No meeting required by this Act to be public shall be held on a legal holiday unless the regular meeting day falls on that holiday.

Except as otherwise provided in this Act, a A quorum of members of a public body must be physically present at the location of an open meeting. If, however, an open meeting of a public body (i) with statewide jurisdiction, (ii) that is an Illinois library system with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles, (iii) that is a municipal transit district with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles, or (iv) that is a local workforce investment area with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles is held simultaneously at one of its offices and one or more other locations in a public building, which may include other of its offices, through an interactive video conference and the public body provides public notice and public access as required under this Act for all locations, then members physically present in those locations all count towards determining a quorum. "Public building", as used in this Section, means any building or portion thereof owned or leased by any public body. The requirement that a quorum be physically present at the location of an open meeting shall not apply, however, to State advisory boards or bodies that do not have authority to make binding recommendations or determinations or to take any other substantive action.

Except as otherwise provided in this Act, a A quorum of members of a public body that is not (i) a public body with statewide jurisdiction, (ii) an Illinois library system with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles, (iii) a municipal transit district with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles, or (iv) a local workforce innovation area with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles must be physically present at the location of a closed meeting. Other members who are not physically present at a closed meeting of such a public body may participate in the meeting by means of a video or audio conference. For the purposes of this Section, "local workforce innovation area" means any local workforce innovation area or areas designated by the Governor pursuant to the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act or its reauthorizing legislation.

(Source: P.A. 100-477, eff. 9-8-17.)

(5 ILCS 120/7)

Sec. 7. Attendance by a means other than physical presence.

(a) If a quorum of the members of the public body is physically present as required by Section 2.01, a majority of the public body may allow a member of that body to attend the meeting by other means if the member is prevented from physically attending because of: (i) personal illness or disability; (ii) employment purposes or the business of the public body; or (iii) a family or other emergency. "Other means" is by video or audio conference.

(b) If a member wishes to attend a meeting by other means, the member must notify the recording secretary or clerk of the public body before the meeting unless advance notice is impractical.

(c) A majority of the public body may allow a member to attend a meeting by other means only in accordance with and to the extent allowed by rules adopted by the public body. The rules must conform to the requirements and restrictions of this Section, may further limit the extent to which attendance by other means is allowed, and may provide for the giving of additional notice to the public or further facilitate public access to meetings.

(d) The limitations of this Section shall not apply to (i) closed meetings of (A) public bodies with statewide jurisdiction, (B) Illinois library systems with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles, (C) municipal transit districts with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles, or (D) local workforce innovation areas with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles or (ii) open or closed meetings of State advisory boards or bodies that do not have authority to make binding recommendations or determinations or to take any other substantive action. State advisory boards or bodies, public bodies with statewide jurisdiction, Illinois library systems with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles, municipal transit districts with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles, and local workforce investment areas with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles, however, may permit members to attend meetings by other means only in accordance with and to the extent allowed by specific procedural rules adopted by the body. For the purposes of this Section, "local workforce innovation area" means any local workforce innovation area or areas designated by the Governor pursuant to the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act or its reauthorizing legislation.

(e) Subject to the requirements of Section 2.06 but notwithstanding any other provision of law, an open or closed meeting subject to this Act may be conducted by audio or video conference, without the physical presence of a quorum of the members, so long as the following conditions are met:

(1) the Governor or the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health has issued a disaster declaration related to public health concerns because of a disaster as defined in Section 4 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, and all or part of the jurisdiction of the public body is covered by the disaster area;

(2) the head of the public body as defined in subsection (e) of Section 2 of the Freedom of Information Act determines that an in-person meeting or a meeting conducted under this Act is not practical or prudent because of a disaster;

(3) all members of the body participating in the meeting, wherever their physical location, shall be verified and can hear one another and can hear all discussion and testimony;

(4) for open meetings, members of the public present at the regular meeting location of the body can hear all discussion and testimony and all votes of the members of the body, unless attendance at the regular meeting location is not feasible due to the disaster, including the issued disaster declaration, in which case the public body must make alternative arrangements and provide notice pursuant to this Section of such alternative arrangements in a manner to allow any interested member of the public access to contemporaneously hear all discussion, testimony, and roll call votes, such as by offering a telephone number or a web-based link;

(5) at least one member of the body, chief legal counsel, or chief administrative officer is physically present at the regular meeting location, unless unfeasible due to the disaster, including the issued disaster declaration; and

(6) all votes are conducted by roll call, so each member's vote on each issue can be identified and recorded.

(7) Except in the event of a bona fide emergency, 48 hours' notice shall be given of a meeting to be held pursuant to this Section. Notice shall be given to all members of the public body, shall be posted on the website of the public body, and shall also be provided to any news media who has requested notice of meetings pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 2.02 of this Act. If the public body declares a bona fide emergency:

(A) Notice shall be given pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 2.02 of this Act, and the presiding officer shall state the nature of the emergency at the beginning of the meeting.

(B) The public body must comply with the verbatim recording requirements set forth in Section 2.06 of this Act.

(8) Each member of the body participating in a meeting by audio or video conference for a meeting held pursuant to this Section is considered present at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum and participating in all proceedings.

(9) In addition to the requirements for open meetings under Section 2.06, public bodies holding open meetings under this subsection (e) must also keep a verbatim record of all their meetings in the form of an audio or video recording. Verbatim records made under this paragraph (9) shall be made available to the public under, and are otherwise subject to, the provisions of Section 2.06.

(10) The public body shall bear all costs associated with compliance with this subsection (e).

(Source: P.A. 100-477, eff. 9-8-17.)

Section 15-10. The Freedom of Information Act is amended by adding Section 3.4 as follows:

(5 ILCS 140/3.4 new)

Sec. 3.4. 2020 exception. Notwithstanding any provision of law or rule to the contrary, no public body shall be considered in violation of this Act for failing to respond within the time prescribed by this Act to any request due on or after March 9, 2020 and within 15 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, provided the public body provides a response by the later of 30 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act or the time prescribed by this Act for the relevant request.

This Section is repealed January 1, 2022.

Section 15-15. The Electronic Commerce Security Act is amended by adding Section 95-20 as follows:

(5 ILCS 175/95-20 new)

Sec. 95-20. Remote Witnessing and Notarization.

(a) The purpose of this Section is to give statutory approval to the notary and witness guidelines provided in State of Illinois Executive Order 2020-14.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of law, rule, or regulation, effective March 26, 2020 and ending 30 days after expiration of the Governor's emergency declaration regarding COVID-19, a notarial act or an act of witnessing, including when a person must "appear before", act "in the presence of", or any variation thereof, may be performed through means of two-way audio-video communication technology that allows for direct contemporaneous interaction by sight and sound between the individual signing the document, the witness and the notary public.

(c) A notarial act satisfies the "appearing before" requirement under Section 6-102 of the Illinois Notary Public Act if the notary public performs a remote notarization via two-way audio-video communication technology, provided that the Notary Public commissioned in Illinois is physically within the State while performing the notarial act and the transaction follows any guidance or rules provided by the Illinois Secretary of State in existence on the date of notarization.

(d) An act of witnessing and the technology used in the audio-video communication must substantially comply with the following process: (1) the two-way audio-video communication must be recorded and preserved by the signatory or the signatory's designee for a period of at least 3 years; (2) the signatory must attest to being physically located in Illinois during the two-way audio-video communication; (3) the witness must attest to being physically located in Illinois during the two-way audio-video communication; (4) the signatory must affirmatively state on the two-way audio-video communication what document the signatory is signing; (5) each page of the document being witnessed must be shown to the witness on the two-way audio-video communication technology in a means clearly legible to the witness and initialed by the signatory in the presence of the witness; (6) the act of signing must be captured sufficiently up close on the two-way audio-video communication for the witness to observe; (7) the signatory must transmit by overnight mail, fax, electronic or other means a legible copy of the entire signed document directly to the witness no later than the day after the document is signed; (8) the witness must sign the transmitted copy of the document as a witness and transmit the signed copy of the document back via overnight mail, fax, electronic or other means to the signatory within 24 hours of receipt; and (9) if necessary, the witness may sign the original signed document as of the date of the original execution by the signatory provided that the witness receives the original signed document together with the electronically witnessed copy within thirty days from the date of the remote witnessing.

(d) The prohibition on electronic signatures on certain documents in subsection (c) of Section 120 remains in full effect.

(e) Notwithstanding any law or rule of the State of Illinois to the contrary, absent an express prohibition in a document against signing in counterparts, all legal documents, including, but not limited to, deeds, last wills and testaments, trusts, durable powers of attorney for property, and powers of attorney for health care, may be signed in counterparts by the witnesses and the signatory. A notary public must be presented with a fax or electronic copy of the document signature pages showing the witness signatures on the same date the document is signed by the signatory if the notary public is being asked to certify to the appearance of the witnesses to a document.

(f) Any technology issues that may occur do not impact the validity or effect of any instrument or document signed under this Section. As used in this Section, "technology issues" include, but are not limited to, problems with the internet connection, user error related to the use of technology, the file containing a recorded act becoming corrupted, or other temporary malfunctions involving the technology used in an act of witnessing or a notarial act.

Section 15-20. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act is amended by changing Section 4A-105 as follows:

(5 ILCS 420/4A-105) (from Ch. 127, par. 604A-105)

Sec. 4A-105. Time for filing. Except as provided in Section 4A-106.1, by May 1 of each year a statement must be filed by each person whose position at that time subjects him to the filing requirements of Section 4A-101 or 4A-101.5 unless he has already filed a statement in relation to the same unit of government in that calendar year.

Statements must also be filed as follows:

(a) A candidate for elective office shall file his statement not later than the end of the period during which he can take the action necessary under the laws of this State to attempt to qualify for nomination, election, or retention to such office if he has not filed a statement in relation to the same unit of government within a year preceding such action.

(b) A person whose appointment to office is subject to confirmation by the Senate shall file his statement at the time his name is submitted to the Senate for confirmation.

(b-5) A special government agent, as defined in item (1) of Section 4A-101 of this Act, shall file a statement within 30 days after making the first ex parte communication and each May 1 thereafter if he or she has made an ex parte communication within the previous 12 months.

(c) Any other person required by this Article to file the statement shall file a statement at the time of his or her initial appointment or employment in relation to that unit of government if appointed or employed by May 1.

If any person who is required to file a statement of economic interests fails to file such statement by May 1 of any year, the officer with whom such statement is to be filed under Section 4A-106 or 4A-106.5 of this Act shall, within 7 days after May 1, notify such person by certified mail of his or her failure to file by the specified date. Except as may be prescribed by rule of the Secretary of State, such person shall file his or her statement of economic interests on or before May 15 with the appropriate officer, together with a $15 late filing fee. Any such person who fails to file by May 15 shall be subject to a penalty of $100 for each day from May 16 to the date of filing, which shall be in addition to the $15 late filing fee specified above. Failure to file by May 31 shall result in a forfeiture in accordance with Section 4A-107 of this Act.

Any person who takes office or otherwise becomes required to file a statement of economic interests within 30 days prior to May 1 of any year may file his or her statement at any time on or before May 31 without penalty. If such person fails to file such statement by May 31, the officer with whom such statement is to be filed under Section 4A-106 or 4A-106.5 of this Act shall, within 7 days after May 31, notify such person by certified mail of his or her failure to file by the specified date. Such person shall file his or her statement of economic interests on or before June 15 with the appropriate officer, together with a $15 late filing fee. Any such person who fails to file by June 15 shall be subject to a penalty of $100 per day for each day from June 16 to the date of filing, which shall be in addition to the $15 late filing fee specified above. Failure to file by June 30 shall result in a forfeiture in accordance with Section 4A-107 of this Act.

All late filing fees and penalties collected pursuant to this Section shall be paid into the General Revenue Fund in the State treasury, if the Secretary of State receives such statement for filing, or into the general fund in the county treasury, if the county clerk receives such statement for filing. The Attorney General, with respect to the State, and the several State's Attorneys, with respect to counties, shall take appropriate action to collect the prescribed penalties.

Failure to file a statement of economic interests within the time prescribed shall not result in a fine or ineligibility for, or forfeiture of, office or position of employment, as the case may be; provided that the failure to file results from not being included for notification by the appropriate agency, clerk, secretary, officer or unit of government, as the case may be, and that a statement is filed within 30 days of actual notice of the failure to file.

Beginning with statements required to be filed on or after May 1, 2009, the officer with whom a statement is to be filed may, in his or her discretion, waive the late filing fee, the monetary late filing penalty, and the ineligibility for or forfeiture of office or position for failure to file when the person's late filing of a statement or failure to file a statement is due to his or her (i) serious or catastrophic illness that renders the person temporarily incapable of completing the statement or (ii) military service.

Notwithstanding any provision of law or rule to the contrary, the deadlines for filing statements of economic interests under this Section on or after March 17, 2020 shall be suspended until August 1, 2020.

(Source: P.A. 101-221, eff. 8-9-19.)

Section 15-24. The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act is amended by adding Section 5-45.1 as follows:

(5 ILCS 100/5-45.1 new)

Sec. 5-45.1. Emergency rulemaking; Secretary of State emergency powers. To provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of the extension provisions of Section 30 of the Secretary of State Act, emergency rules implementing the extension provisions of Section 30 of the Secretary of State Act may be adopted in accordance with Section 5-45 by the Secretary of State. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by Section 5-45 and this Section is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.

This Section is repealed on January 1, 2021.

Section 15-25. The Secretary of State Act is amended by adding Section 30 as follows:

(15 ILCS 305/30 new)

Sec. 30. Emergency powers.

(a) Upon the Governor of the State of Illinois issuing a statewide disaster proclamation based on a health pandemic or similar emergency, the Secretary may extend for the duration of the proclaimed disaster and for up to a period of 120 days beyond the expiration of the disaster proclamation:

(1) the expiration dates of driver's licenses, driving permits, identification cards, disabled parking placards and decals, and vehicle registrations; and

(2) the expiration dates of professional licenses, registrations, certifications and commissions issued by the Secretary, including but not limited to, vehicle dealership licenses, commercial driver training school licenses, and securities, broker and investment adviser registrations.

After the initial 30-day extension, the Secretary may adopt subsequent 30-day extensions only upon a determination that circumstances necessitate additional extensions. The Secretary must adopt any subsequent 30-day extension prior to the previous lapsing.

(b) To provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, any emergency rules to implement the extension provisions of this Section must be adopted by the Secretary of State, subject to the provisions of Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Any such rule shall:

(1) identify the disaster proclamation authorizing the rulemaking;

(2) set forth the expirations being extended (for example, "this extension shall apply to all driver's licenses, driving permits, identification cards, disabled parking placards and decals, and vehicle registrations expiring on [date] through [date]"); and

(3) set forth the date on which the extension period becomes effective, and the date on which the extension will terminate if not extended by subsequent emergency rulemaking.

(c) Where the renewal of any driver's license, driving permit, identification card, disabled parking placard or decal, vehicle registration, or professional license, registration, certification or commission has been extended pursuant to this Section, it shall be renewed during the period of an extension. Any such renewal shall be from the original expiration date and shall be subject to the full fee which would have been due had the renewal been issued based on the original expiration date, except that no late filing fees or penalties shall be imposed.

(d) All law enforcement agencies in the State of Illinois and all State and local governmental entities shall recognize the validity of, and give full legal force to, extensions granted pursuant to this Section.

(e) Upon the request of any person or entity whose driver's license, driving permit, identification card, disabled parking placard or decal, vehicle registration, or professional license, registration, certification or commission has been subject to an extension under this Section, the Secretary shall issue a statement verifying the extension was issued pursuant to Illinois law, and requesting any foreign jurisdiction to honor the extension.

(f) This Section is repealed on June 30, 2021.

Section 15-29. The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act is amended by adding Section 5-45.2 as follows:

(5 ILCS 100/5-45.2 new)

Sec. 5-45.2. Emergency rulemaking; Secretary of State Merit Commission. To provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of subsection (14) of Section 8c of the Secretary of State Merit Employment Code, emergency rules implementing subsection (14) of Section 8c of the Secretary of State Merit Employment Code may be adopted in accordance with Section 5-45 by the Secretary of State. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by Section 5-45 and this Section is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.

This Section is repealed on January 1, 2021.

Section 15-30. The Secretary of State Merit Employment Code is amended by changing Section 8c as follows:

(15 ILCS 310/8c) (from Ch. 124, par. 108c)

Sec. 8c. Duties and powers of the Commission. The Merit Commission, in addition to any other duties prescribed in this Act, shall have the following duties and powers:

(1) Upon written recommendations by the Director of Personnel, to exempt from jurisdiction B of this Act positions which, in the judgment of the Commission, are by their nature highly confidential or involve principal administrative responsibility for the determination of policy or principal administrative responsibility for the way in which policies are carried out. No position which has the powers of a law enforcement officer, except executive security officers, may be exempted under this section.

(2) To require such special reports from the Director as it may consider desirable.

(3) To disapprove original rules or any part thereof and any amendment thereof within 30 calendar days after the submission of such rules to the Merit Commission by the Director.

(4) To disapprove within 30 calendar days from date of submission the position classification plan and any revisions thereof submitted by the Director as provided in the rules.

(5) To hear appeals of employees who do not accept the allocation of their positions under the classification plan.

(6) To hear and approve or disapprove written charges filed seeking the discharge or demotion of employees or suspension totaling more than 30 calendar days in any 12 month period, as provided in Section 9, appeals as provided in Section 9a of this Act, and appeals from transfers from one geographical area in the state to another, and in connection therewith to administer oaths, subpoena witnesses and compel the production of books and papers.

(7) (Blank).

(8) To make an annual report regarding the work of the Commission to the Secretary of State, such report to be a public record.

(9) If any violation of this Act is found, the Commission shall direct compliance in writing.

(10) To appoint such employees, experts and special assistants as may be necessary to carry out the powers and duties of the commission under this Act. Employees, experts and special assistants so appointed by the Commission shall be subject to jurisdictions A, B and C of this Act, except the Chairman of the Commission when serving as the Administrator of the Commission shall not be subject to jurisdictions A, B, and C of this Act.

(11) To promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out and implement their powers and duties under this Act, with authority to amend such rules from time to time pursuant to The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

(12) Within one year of the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1985, the Commission shall adopt rules and regulations which shall include all Commission policies implementing its duties under Sections 8, 9, 10 and 15 of this Act. These rules and regulations shall include, but not be limited to, the standards and criteria used by the Commission and Hearing Officers in making discretionary determinations during hearing procedures.

(13) To hear or conduct investigations as it deems necessary of appeals of layoff filed by employees appointed under Jurisdiction B after examination, provided that such appeals are filed within 15 calendar days following the effective date of such layoff and are made on the basis that the provisions of the Secretary of State Merit Employment Code or the rules promulgated thereunder have been violated or have not been complied with. All hearings shall be public. A decision shall be rendered within 60 days after receipt of the transcript of the proceedings. The Commission shall order the reinstatement of the employee if it is proven that the provisions of the Secretary of State Merit Employment Code or the rules promulgated thereunder have been violated or have not been complied with. In connection therewith the Commission may administer oaths, subpoena witnesses, and compel the production of books and papers.

(14) Upon the Governor of the State of Illinois issuing a disaster declaration based on circumstances that may interfere with an employee's ability to exercise his or her rights under this Code, or that may prevent the Commission from performing its duties in a timely manner, the Commission may, by adoption of an emergency rule under Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, extend for a period of up to 90 days beyond the expiration of the disaster proclamation any time limits set forth in this Code or in the Commission's rules, including but not limited to, the time limits for filing complaints, filing and serving other documents, holding of hearings and rendering of decisions. Upon a determination that circumstances necessitate additional time, the Commission may adopt one additional 90-day extension of time limits. No time limit shall be extended under this subsection beyond June 30, 2021.

(Source: P.A. 97-833, eff. 7-20-12.)

Section 15-32. The Illinois Finance Authority Act is amended by changing Section 801-25 as follows:

(20 ILCS 3501/801-25)

Sec. 801-25. All official acts of the Authority shall require the approval of at least 8 members. All meetings of the Authority and the Advisory Councils shall be conducted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. Eight members of the Authority shall constitute a quorum. Except as otherwise authorized in the Open Meetings Act, all All meetings shall be conducted at a single location within this State with a quorum of members physically present at this location. Other members who are not physically present at this location may participate in the meeting and vote on all matters by means of a video or audio conference. The Auditor General shall conduct financial audits and program audits of the Authority, in accordance with the Illinois State Auditing Act.

(Source: P.A. 93-205, eff. 1-1-04; 93-1101, eff. 3-31-05.)

Section 15-35. The Illinois Procurement Code is amended by changing Section 1-13 as follows:

(30 ILCS 500/1-13)

Sec. 1-13. Applicability to public institutions of higher education.

(a) This Code shall apply to public institutions of higher education, regardless of the source of the funds with which contracts are paid, except as provided in this Section.

(b) Except as provided in this Section, this Code shall not apply to procurements made by or on behalf of public institutions of higher education for any of the following:

(1) Memberships in professional, academic, research, or athletic organizations on behalf of a public institution of higher education, an employee of a public institution of higher education, or a student at a public institution of higher education.

(2) Procurement expenditures for events or activities paid for exclusively by revenues generated by the event or activity, gifts or donations for the event or activity, private grants, or any combination thereof.

(3) Procurement expenditures for events or activities for which the use of specific potential contractors is mandated or identified by the sponsor of the event or activity, provided that the sponsor is providing a majority of the funding for the event or activity.

(4) Procurement expenditures necessary to provide athletic, artistic or musical services, performances, events, or productions by or for a public institution of higher education.

(5) Procurement expenditures for periodicals, books, subscriptions, database licenses, and other publications procured for use by a university library or academic department, except for expenditures related to procuring textbooks for student use or materials for resale or rental.

(6) Procurement expenditures for placement of students in externships, practicums, field experiences, and for medical residencies and rotations.

(7) Contracts for programming and broadcast license rights for university-operated radio and television stations.

(8) Procurement expenditures necessary to perform sponsored research and other sponsored activities under grants and contracts funded by the sponsor or by sources other than State appropriations.

(9) Contracts with a foreign entity for research or educational activities, provided that the foreign entity either does not maintain an office in the United States or is the sole source of the service or product. Notice of each contract entered into by a public institution of higher education that is related to the procurement of goods and services identified in items (1) through (9) of this subsection shall be published in the Procurement Bulletin within 14 calendar days after contract execution. The Chief Procurement Officer shall prescribe the form and content of the notice. Each public institution of higher education shall provide the Chief Procurement Officer, on a monthly basis, in the form and content prescribed by the Chief Procurement Officer, a report of contracts that are related to the procurement of goods and services identified in this subsection. At a minimum, this report shall include the name of the contractor, a description of the supply or service provided, the total amount of the contract, the term of the contract, and the exception to the Code utilized. A copy of any or all of these contracts shall be made available to the Chief Procurement Officer immediately upon request. The Chief Procurement Officer shall submit a report to the Governor and General Assembly no later than November 1 of each year that shall include, at a minimum, an annual summary of the monthly information reported to the Chief Procurement Officer.

(b-5) Except as provided in this subsection, the provisions of this Code shall not apply to contracts for medical supplies, and to contracts for medical services necessary for the delivery of care and treatment at medical, dental, or veterinary teaching facilities utilized by Southern Illinois University or the University of Illinois and at any university-operated health care center or dispensary that provides care, treatment, and medications for students, faculty and staff. Other supplies and services needed for these teaching facilities shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Chief Procurement Officer for Public Institutions of Higher Education who may establish expedited procurement procedures and may waive or modify certification, contract, hearing, process and registration requirements required by the Code. All procurements made under this subsection shall be documented and may require publication in the Illinois Procurement Bulletin.

(b-10) Procurements made by or on behalf of the University of Illinois for investment services scheduled to expire June 2020 may be extended through June 2021 without being subject to the requirements of this Code. Any contract extended, renewed, or entered pursuant to this exception shall be published on the Executive Ethics Commission's website within 5 days of contract execution. This subsection is inoperative on and after July 1, 2021.

(c) Procurements made by or on behalf of public institutions of higher education for the fulfillment of a grant shall be made in accordance with the requirements of this Code to the extent practical.

Upon the written request of a public institution of higher education, the Chief Procurement Officer may waive contract, registration, certification, and hearing requirements of this Code if, based on the item to be procured or the terms of a grant, compliance is impractical. The public institution of higher education shall provide the Chief Procurement Officer with specific reasons for the waiver, including the necessity of contracting with a particular potential contractor, and shall certify that an effort was made in good faith to comply with the provisions of this Code. The Chief Procurement Officer shall provide written justification for any waivers. By November 1 of each year, the Chief Procurement Officer shall file a report with the General Assembly identifying each contract approved with waivers and providing the justification given for any waivers for each of those contracts. Notice of each waiver made under this subsection shall be published in the Procurement Bulletin within 14 calendar days after contract execution. The Chief Procurement Officer shall prescribe the form and content of the notice.

(d) Notwithstanding this Section, a waiver of the registration requirements of Section 20-160 does not permit a business entity and any affiliated entities or affiliated persons to make campaign contributions if otherwise prohibited by Section 50-37. The total amount of contracts awarded in accordance with this Section shall be included in determining the aggregate amount of contracts or pending bids of a business entity and any affiliated entities or affiliated persons.

(e) Notwithstanding subsection (e) of Section 50-10.5 of this Code, the Chief Procurement Officer, with the approval of the Executive Ethics Commission, may permit a public institution of higher education to accept a bid or enter into a contract with a business that assisted the public institution of higher education in determining whether there is a need for a contract or assisted in reviewing, drafting, or preparing documents related to a bid or contract, provided that the bid or contract is essential to research administered by the public institution of higher education and it is in the best interest of the public institution of higher education to accept the bid or contract. For purposes of this subsection, "business" includes all individuals with whom a business is affiliated, including, but not limited to, any officer, agent, employee, consultant, independent contractor, director, partner, manager, or shareholder of a business. The Executive Ethics Commission may promulgate rules and regulations for the implementation and administration of the provisions of this subsection (e).

(f) As used in this Section:

"Grant" means non-appropriated funding provided by a federal or private entity to support a project or program administered by a public institution of higher education and any non-appropriated funding provided to a sub-recipient of the grant.

"Public institution of higher education" means Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Illinois State University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University, University of Illinois, Western Illinois University, and, for purposes of this Code only, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy.

(g) (Blank).

(h) The General Assembly finds and declares that:

(1) Public Act 98-1076, which took effect on January 1, 2015, changed the repeal date set for this Section from December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2016.

(2) The Statute on Statutes sets forth general rules on the repeal of statutes and the construction of multiple amendments, but Section 1 of that Act also states that these rules will not be observed when the result would be "inconsistent with the manifest intent of the General Assembly or repugnant to the context of the statute".

(3) This amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly manifests the intention of the General Assembly to remove the repeal of this Section.

(4) This Section was originally enacted to protect, promote, and preserve the general welfare. Any construction of this Section that results in the repeal of this Section on December 31, 2014 would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the General Assembly and repugnant to the context of this Code.

It is hereby declared to have been the intent of the General Assembly that this Section not be subject to repeal on December 31, 2014.

This Section shall be deemed to have been in continuous effect since December 20, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 97-643), and it shall continue to be in effect henceforward until it is otherwise lawfully repealed. All previously enacted amendments to this Section taking effect on or after December 31, 2014, are hereby validated.

All actions taken in reliance on or pursuant to this Section by any public institution of higher education, person, or entity are hereby validated.

In order to ensure the continuing effectiveness of this Section, it is set forth in full and re-enacted by this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly. This re-enactment is intended as a continuation of this Section. It is not intended to supersede any amendment to this Section that is enacted by the 100th General Assembly.

In this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly, the base text of the reenacted Section is set forth as amended by Public Act 98-1076. Striking and underscoring is used only to show changes being made to the base text.

This Section applies to all procurements made on or before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 100-43, eff. 8-9-17.)

Section 15-40. The Forest Preserve Zoological Parks Act is amended by changing Section 1 as follows:

(70 ILCS 835/1) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 6801)

Sec. 1. The corporate authorities of forest preserve districts, containing a population of 140,000 or more located in counties of less than 3,000,000 inhabitants, having the control or supervision of any forest preserves, may erect and maintain within such forest preserves, under the control or supervision of such corporate authorities, edifices to be used for the collection and display of animals as customary in zoological parks, and may collect and display such animals, or permit the directors or trustees of any zoological society devoted to the purposes aforesaid to erect and maintain a zoological park and to collect and display zoological collections within any forest preserve now or hereafter under the control or supervision of such forest preserve district, out of funds belonging to such zoological society, or to contract with the directors or trustees of any zoological society on such terms and conditions as may to such corporate authorities seem best, relative to the erection, operation and maintenance of a zoological park and the collection and display of such animals within such forest preserve, out of the tax hereinafter in this Act provided.

This Act applies to any forest preserve district that maintains a zoological park that was established under this Act prior to 1964, regardless of whether the population requirements continue to be met.

A forest preserve district, containing a population of 140,000 or more, or the directors or trustees of such zoological society when so authorized by the forest preserve district, may (a) police the property of the zoological park, (b) employ, establish, maintain and equip a security force for fire and police protection of the zoological park and (c) provide that the personnel of the security force shall perform other tasks relating to the maintenance and operation of the zoological park. Members of the security force shall be conservators of the peace with all the powers of policemen in cities and of sheriffs, other than to serve or execute civil processes, but such powers may be exercised only within the area comprising the zoological park when required to protect the zoological park's property and interests, its personnel and persons using the facilities or at the specific request of appropriate federal, State or local law enforcement officials. All otherwise lawful actions taken on or after August 13, 1978 (the effective date of Public Act 80-1364) and before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly by a forest preserve district or a zoological society located in a county of 3,000,000 or more in exercising the powers provided in this paragraph are hereby validated, notwithstanding Public Act 80-1364, which was a non-substantive combining revisory Act.

A forest preserve district, containing a population of 140,000 or more located in counties of less than 3,000,000 inhabitants, may charge, or permit such zoological society to charge, an admission fee. The proceeds of such admission fee shall be devoted exclusively to the operation and maintenance of such zoological park and the collections therein. Except as otherwise provided in this Section, all All such zoological parks shall be open to the public without charge (i) a total number of days, to be scheduled at any time during the calendar year, equivalent to at least one day for each 7 days the zoological park is open during the calendar year and (ii) to the children in actual attendance upon any of the schools in the State at all times. The managing authority of the zoological park may limit the number of school groups that may attend the zoo on any given day and may establish other rules and regulations that reasonably ensure public safety, accessibility, and convenience, including without limitation standards of conduct and supervision. Charges may be made at any time for special services and for admission to special facilities within any zoological park for the education, entertainment or convenience of visitors.

(Source: P.A. 98-500, eff. 8-16-13.)

Section 15-45. The Park District Aquarium and Museum Act is amended by changing Section 1 as follows:

(70 ILCS 1290/1) (from Ch. 105, par. 326)

Sec. 1. Erect, operate, and maintain aquariums and museums. The corporate authorities of cities and park districts having control or supervision over any public park or parks, including parks located on formerly submerged land, are hereby authorized to purchase, erect, and maintain within any such public park or parks edifices to be used as aquariums or as museums of art, industry, science, or natural or other history, including presidential libraries, centers, and museums, such aquariums and museums consisting of all facilities for their collections, exhibitions, programming, and associated initiatives, or to permit the directors or trustees of any corporation or society organized for the construction or maintenance and operation of an aquarium or museum as hereinabove described to erect, enlarge, ornament, build, rebuild, rehabilitate, improve, maintain, and operate its aquarium or museum within any public park now or hereafter under the control or supervision of any city or park district, and to contract with any such directors or trustees of any such aquarium or museum relative to the erection, enlargement, ornamentation, building, rebuilding, rehabilitation, improvement, maintenance, ownership, and operation of such aquarium or museum. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, a city or park district may enter into a lease for an initial term not to exceed 99 years, subject to renewal, allowing a corporation or society as hereinabove described to erect, enlarge, ornament, build, rebuild, rehabilitate, improve, maintain, and operate its aquarium or museum, together with grounds immediately adjacent to such aquarium or museum, and to use, possess, and occupy grounds surrounding such aquarium or museum as hereinabove described for the purpose of beautifying and maintaining such grounds in a manner consistent with the aquarium or museum's purpose, and on the conditions that (1) the public is allowed access to such grounds in a manner consistent with its access to other public parks, and (2) the city or park district retains a reversionary interest in any improvements made by the corporation or society on the grounds, including the aquarium or museum itself, that matures upon the expiration or lawful termination of the lease. It is hereby reaffirmed and found that the aquariums and museums as described in this Section, and their collections, exhibitions, programming, and associated initiatives, serve valuable public purposes, including, but not limited to, furthering human knowledge and understanding, educating and inspiring the public, and expanding recreational and cultural resources and opportunities. Any city or park district may charge, or permit such an aquarium or museum to charge, an admission fee. Any such aquarium or museum, however, shall be open without charge, when accompanied by a teacher, to the children in actual attendance upon grades kindergarten through twelve in any of the schools in this State at all times. In addition, except as otherwise provided in this Section, any such aquarium or museum must be open to persons who reside in this State without charge for a period equivalent to 52 days, at least 6 of which must be during the period from June through August, each year. Beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly through June 30, 2022, any such zoological park must be open to the public without charge: (i) a total number of days, to be scheduled at any time during the calendar year, equivalent to at least one day for each 14 days the zoological park is open during the calendar year; and (ii) to the children in actual attendance upon any of the schools in the State at all times. Notwithstanding said provisions, charges may be made at any time for special services and for admission to special facilities within any aquarium or museum for the education, entertainment, or convenience of visitors. The proceeds of such admission fees and charges for special services and special facilities shall be devoted exclusively to the purposes for which the tax authorized by Section 2 hereof may be used. If any owner or owners of any lands or lots abutting or fronting on any such public park, or adjacent thereto, have any private right, easement, interest or property in such public park appurtenant to their lands or lots or otherwise, which would be interfered with by the erection and maintenance of any aquarium or museum as hereinbefore provided, or any right to have such public park remain open or vacant and free from buildings, the corporate authorities of the city or park district having control of such park, may condemn the same in the manner prescribed for the exercise of the right of eminent domain under the Eminent Domain Act. The changes made to this Section by this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly are declaratory of existing law and shall not be construed as a new enactment.

(Source: P.A. 99-3, eff. 1-1-16.)

Section 15-50. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by adding Section 2-129 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/2-129 new)

Sec. 2-129. Expiration dates. All expiration periods set forth in this Code shall be subject to the provisions of Section 30 of the Secretary of State Act.

ARTICLE 20. MUNICIPAL BUDGET

Section 20-5. The Illinois Municipal Code is amended by changing Sections 8-2-9 and 8-2-9.4 as follows:

(65 ILCS 5/8-2-9) (from Ch. 24, par. 8-2-9)

Sec. 8-2-9. In municipalities with less than 500,000 inhabitants, except as otherwise provided in this Section, the corporate authorities shall pass an ordinance within the first quarter of each fiscal year, to be termed the annual appropriation ordinance. On and after January 1, 2020, if a disaster, state of emergency, or national emergency is declared within the 60 days preceding the end of the first quarter of a municipality's fiscal year and the disaster, emergency, or declaration impacts the municipality, the time limit to pass the annual appropriation ordinance shall be extended for the duration of the disaster or emergency and for 60 days thereafter. During the extended period, the municipality may expend sums of money up to amounts budgeted or appropriated for those objects and purposes in the previous fiscal year to defray all necessary expenses and liabilities of the municipality. In this ordinance, the corporate authorities (i) may appropriate sums of money deemed necessary to defray all necessary expenses and liabilities of the municipalities, including the amounts to be deposited in the reserves provided for in the Illinois Pension Code and (ii) shall specify the objects and purposes for which these appropriations are made and the amount appropriated for each object or purpose. Among the objects and purposes specified shall be the reserves provided for in the Illinois Pension Code. Except as otherwise provided, no further appropriations shall be made at any other time within the same fiscal year, unless a proposition to make each additional appropriation has been first sanctioned by a petition signed by electors of the municipality numbering more than 50% of the number of votes cast for the candidates for mayor or president at the last preceding general municipal election at which a mayor or president was elected, by a petition signed by them, or by a majority of those voting on the question at a regular election or at an emergency referendum authorized in accordance with the general election law. The corporate authorities may by ordinance initiate the submission of the proposition. During any fiscal year, the corporate authorities in municipalities subject to this Section may adopt a supplemental appropriation ordinance in an amount not in excess of the aggregate of any additional revenue available to the municipality, or estimated to be received by the municipality after the adoption of the annual appropriation ordinance for that fiscal year, or from fund balances available when the annual appropriation ordinance was adopted but that were not appropriated at that time. The provisions of this Section prohibiting further appropriations without sanction by petition or election shall not be applicable to the supplemental appropriation for that fiscal year. The corporate authorities at any time, however, by a two-thirds vote of all the members of the body, may make transfers within any department or other separate agency of the municipal government of sums of money appropriated for one corporate object or purpose to another corporate object or purpose, but no appropriation for any object or purpose shall thereby be reduced below an amount sufficient to cover all obligations incurred or to be incurred against the appropriation. Nothing in this Section shall deprive the corporate authorities of the power to provide for and cause to be paid from the funds of the municipality any charge imposed by law without the action of the corporate authorities, the payment of which is ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction.

At least 10 days before the adoption of the annual appropriation ordinance, the corporate authorities of municipalities over 2,000 in population shall make the proposed appropriation ordinance or a formally prepared appropriation or budget document upon which the annual appropriation ordinance will be based conveniently available to public inspection. In addition, the corporate authorities shall hold at least one public hearing on that proposed appropriation ordinance. Notice of this hearing shall be given publication in one or more newspapers published in the municipality or, if there is none published in the municipality, in a newspaper published in the county and having general circulation in the municipality at least 10 days before the time of the public hearing. The notice shall state the time and place of the hearing and the place where copies of the proposed appropriation ordinance or formally prepared appropriation or budget document will be accessible for examination. The annual appropriation ordinance may be adopted at the same meeting at which the public hearing is held or at any time after that public hearing.

After the public hearing and before final action is taken on the appropriation ordinance, the corporate authorities may revise, alter, increase, or decrease the items contained in the ordinance.

Notwithstanding any above provision of this Section, any municipality in which Article 5 becomes effective after the annual appropriation ordinance has been passed for the current fiscal year may amend the appropriation ordinance in any manner necessary to make Article 5 fully operative in that municipality for that fiscal year. No amendment shall be construed, however, to affect any tax levy made on the basis of the original appropriation ordinance.

This Section does not apply to municipalities operating under special charters.

(Source: P.A. 86-1470; 87-365.)

(65 ILCS 5/8-2-9.4) (from Ch. 24, par. 8-2-9.4)

Sec. 8-2-9.4. Passage of the annual budget by the corporate authorities shall be in lieu of passage of the appropriation ordinance as required by Section 8-2-9 of this Act. The annual budget need not be published except in a manner provided for in Section 8-2-9.9. Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the The annual budget shall be adopted by the corporate authorities before the beginning of the fiscal year to which it applies. On and after January 1, 2020, if a disaster, state of emergency, or national emergency is declared within 60 days of the end of a municipality's fiscal year and the disaster, emergency, or declaration impacts the municipality, the time limit to pass the annual budget shall be extended for the duration of the disaster or emergency and for 60 days thereafter. During the extended period, the municipality may expend sums of money up to amounts budgeted or appropriated for those objects and purposes in the previous fiscal year to defray all necessary expenses and liabilities of the municipality.

(Source: P.A. 76-1117.)

ARTICLE 25. BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE

Section 25-5. The Department of Insurance Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding Section 1405-32 as follows:

(20 ILCS 1405/1405-32 new)

Sec. 1405-32. Task force on business interruption insurance policies. The Department of Insurance shall appoint a task force on business interruption insurance policies consisting of no more than 10 members representing the Department of Insurance and the insurance industry. The Task Force shall include a representative from a national trade association, based in the State of Illinois, that represents insurers who provide a significant segment of market share of the commercial insurance provided in the State of Illinois. The Task Force shall study the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses and the need for changes to business interruption insurance policies based on those impacts, including recommendations for legislation.

Task Force members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for their expenses incurred in performing their duties.

The Department of Insurance shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force.

The Task Force shall submit the report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2020. The Task Force is dissolved, and this Section is repealed, on December 31, 2021.

ARTICLE 30. REMOTE LEGISLATING

Section 30-5. The General Assembly Organization Act is amended by changing Section 1 as follows:

(25 ILCS 5/1) (from Ch. 63, par. 1)

Sec. 1. (a) The That the sessions of the General Assembly shall be held at the seat of government: Provided, that the Governor may convene the General Assembly at some other place when it is necessary, in case of pestilence or public danger.

(b) In times of pestilence or an emergency resulting from the effects of enemy attack or threatened enemy attack, members may participate remotely and cast votes in sessions, by joint proclamation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate, and committees of either the House of Representatives or Senate may participate remotely pursuant to the rules of the chamber. The House of Representatives and the Senate shall adopt rules for remote participation. The rules of the chamber may require that a quorum of the members is physically present at the location of the session or the committee meeting. As used in this Section, "participate remotely" means simultaneous, interactive participation in session or committee meeting by members not physically present, through means of communication technologies designed to accommodate and facilitate such simultaneous, interactive participation and where members of the public may view such meetings or sessions. This subsection (b) is inoperative on and after June 1, 2022.

(Source: R.S. 1874, p. 555.)

Section 30-10. The Legislative Commission Reorganization Act of 1984 is amended by changing Section 1-5 as follows:

(25 ILCS 130/1-5) (from Ch. 63, par. 1001-5)

Sec. 1-5. Composition of agencies; directors.

(a) The Boards of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, and the Legislative Audit Commission Committee shall each consist of 12 members of the General Assembly, of whom 3 shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, 3 shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, 3 shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and 3 shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. All appointments shall be in writing and filed with the Secretary of State as a public record.

Members shall serve a 2-year term, and must be appointed by the Joint Committee during the month of January in each odd-numbered year for terms beginning February 1. Any vacancy in an Agency shall be filled by appointment for the balance of the term in the same manner as the original appointment. A vacancy shall exist when a member no longer holds the elected legislative office held at the time of the appointment or at the termination of the member's legislative service.

During the month of February of each odd-numbered year, the Joint Committee on Legislative Support Services shall select from the members of the Board of each Agency 2 co-chairpersons and such other officers as the Joint Committee deems necessary. The co-chairpersons of each Board shall serve for a 2-year term, beginning February 1 of the odd-numbered year, and the 2 co-chairpersons shall not be members of or identified with the same house or the same political party.

Each Board shall meet twice annually or more often upon the call of the chair or any 9 members. A quorum of the Board shall consist of a majority of the appointed members.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in times of pestilence or an emergency resulting from the effects of enemy attack or threatened enemy attack, by agreement of the co-chairs of the respective Board, members of a Board under this subsection may participate remotely and cast votes in a hearing. Each Board shall adopt rules for remote participation. As used in this Section, "participate remotely" means simultaneous, interactive participation in Board meetings by members not physically present, through means of communication technologies designed to accommodate and facilitate such simultaneous, interactive participation and where members of the public may view such meetings.

(b) The Board of each of the following legislative support agencies shall consist of the Secretary and Assistant Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk and Assistant Clerk of the House of Representatives: the Legislative Information System, the Legislative Printing Unit, the Legislative Reference Bureau, and the Office of the Architect of the Capitol. The co-chairpersons of the Board of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol shall be the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives, each ex officio.

The Chairperson of each of the other Boards shall be the member who is affiliated with the same caucus as the then serving Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Legislative Support Services. Each Board shall meet twice annually or more often upon the call of the chair or any 3 members. A quorum of the Board shall consist of a majority of the appointed members.

When the Board of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol has cast a tied vote concerning the design, implementation, or construction of a project within the legislative complex, as defined in Section 8A-15, the Architect of the Capitol may cast the tie-breaking vote.

(c) (Blank).

(d) Members of each Agency shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in carrying out the duties of the Agency pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the Joint Committee on Legislative Support Services.

(e) Beginning February 1, 1985, and every 2 years thereafter, the Joint Committee shall select an Executive Director who shall be the chief executive officer and staff director of each Agency. The Executive Director shall receive a salary as fixed by the Joint Committee and shall be authorized to employ and fix the compensation of necessary professional, technical and secretarial staff and prescribe their duties, sign contracts, and issue vouchers for the payment of obligations pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the Joint Committee on Legislative Support Services. The Executive Director and other employees of the Agency shall not be subject to the Personnel Code.

The executive director of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol shall be known as the Architect of the Capitol.

(Source: P.A. 100-1148, eff. 12-10-18.)

ARTICLE 99. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 99-99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.".