SB0628 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 13769 RJF 19119 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
SB0628

Introduced 2/24/2021, by Sen. John F. Curran

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

5 ILCS 430/25-5
5 ILCS 430/25-10
5 ILCS 430/25-15
5 ILCS 430/25-20

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Modifies requirements concerning the Legislative Ethics Commission and Commissioners thereof. Modifies requirements concerning the jurisdiction of the Legislative Inspector General. Modifies the duties of the Legislative Ethics Commission. Removes a provision requiring the Legislative Inspector General to obtain advance approval of the Commission to issue subpoenas. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning government.

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

Section 10. The State Officials and Employees Ethics Act is amended by changing Sections 25-5, 25-10, 25-15, and 25-20 as follows:

(5 ILCS 430/25-5)

Sec. 25-5. Legislative Ethics Commission.

(a) The Legislative Ethics Commission is created.

(b) The Legislative Ethics Commission shall consist of 8 commissioners appointed 2 each by the President and Minority Leader of the Senate and the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

The terms of the initial commissioners shall commence upon qualification. Each appointing authority shall designate one appointee who shall serve for a 2-year term running through June 30, 2005. Each appointing authority shall designate one appointee who shall serve for a 4-year term running through June 30, 2007. The initial appointments shall be made within 60 days after the effective date of this Act.

After the initial terms, commissioners shall serve for 4-year terms commencing on July 1 of the year of appointment and running through June 30 of the fourth following year. Commissioners may be reappointed to one or more subsequent terms.

Vacancies occurring other than at the end of a term shall be filled by the appointing authority only for the balance of the term of the commissioner whose office is vacant.

Terms shall run regardless of whether the position is filled.

(c) The appointing authorities shall appoint commissioners from the general public who have experience holding governmental office or employment. A person is not eligible to serve as a commissioner if that person (i) has been convicted of a felony or a crime of dishonesty or moral turpitude; (ii) is, or was within the preceding 10 years, engaged in activities that require registration under the Lobbyist Registration Act; (iii) is related to the appointing authority; (iv) is or has been within the preceding 10 years a State officer, a State employee, or an employee or member of the General Assembly; or (v) holds a partisan elected or political party office, or is otherwise an officer or employee of a political committee or political campaign. The appointing authorities shall appoint commissioners who have experience holding governmental office or employment and may appoint commissioners who are members of the General Assembly as well as commissioners from the general public. A commissioner who is a member of the General Assembly must recuse himself or herself from participating in any matter relating to any investigation or proceeding in which he or she is the subject or is a complainant. A person is not eligible to serve as a commissioner if that person (i) has been convicted of a felony or a crime of dishonesty or moral turpitude, (ii) is, or was within the preceding 12 months, engaged in activities that require registration under the Lobbyist Registration Act, (iii) is a relative of the appointing authority, (iv) is a State officer or employee other than a member of the General Assembly, or (v) is a candidate for statewide office, federal office, or judicial office.

(c-5) If a commissioner is required to recuse himself or herself from participating in a matter as provided in subsection (c), the recusal shall create a temporary vacancy for the limited purpose of consideration of the matter for which the commissioner recused himself or herself, and the appointing authority for the recusing commissioner shall make a temporary appointment to fill the vacancy for consideration of the matter for which the commissioner recused himself or herself.

(d) The Legislative Ethics Commission shall have jurisdiction over current and former members of the General Assembly regarding events occurring during a member's term of office and current and former State employees regarding events occurring during any period of employment where the State employee's ultimate jurisdictional authority is (i) a legislative leader, (ii) the Senate Operations Commission, or (iii) the Joint Committee on Legislative Support Services. The Legislative Ethics Commission shall have jurisdiction over complainants and respondents in violation of subsection (d) of Section 25-90. The jurisdiction of the Commission is limited to matters arising under this Act or the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act.

An officer or executive branch State employee serving on a legislative branch board or commission remains subject to the jurisdiction of the Executive Ethics Commission and is not subject to the jurisdiction of the Legislative Ethics Commission.

(e) The Legislative Ethics Commission must meet, either in person or by other technological means, monthly or as often as necessary. At the first meeting of the Legislative Ethics Commission, the commissioners shall choose from their number a chairperson and other officers that they deem appropriate. The terms of officers shall be for 2 years commencing July 1 and running through June 30 of the second following year. Meetings shall be held at the call of the chairperson or any 3 commissioners. Official action by the Commission shall require the affirmative vote of 5 commissioners, and a quorum shall consist of 5 commissioners. Commissioners shall receive no compensation but may be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses actually incurred in the performance of their duties.

(f) No commissioner, other than a commissioner who is a member of the General Assembly, or employee of the Legislative Ethics Commission may during his or her term of appointment or employment:

(1) become a candidate for any elective office;

(2) hold any other elected or appointed public office except for appointments on governmental advisory boards or study commissions or as otherwise expressly authorized by law;

(3) be actively involved in the affairs of any political party, or political organization, political committee, or political campaign; or

(4) advocate for the appointment of another person to an appointed or elected office or position or actively participate in any campaign for any elective office.

(f-5) No commissioner who is a member of the General Assembly may be a candidate for statewide office, federal office, or judicial office. If a commissioner who is a member of the General Assembly files petitions to be a candidate for a statewide office, federal office, or judicial office, he or she shall be deemed to have resigned from his or her position as a commissioner on the date his or her name is certified for the ballot by the State Board of Elections or local election authority and his or her position as a commissioner shall be deemed vacant. Such person may not be reappointed to the Commission during any time he or she is a candidate for statewide office, federal office, or judicial office.

(g) An appointing authority may remove a commissioner only for cause.

(h) The Legislative Ethics Commission shall appoint an Executive Director subject to the approval of at least 3 of the 4 legislative leaders. The compensation of the Executive Director shall be as determined by the Commission. The Executive Director of the Legislative Ethics Commission may employ, subject to the approval of at least 3 of the 4 legislative leaders, and determine the compensation of staff, as appropriations permit.

(i) In consultation with the Legislative Inspector General, the Legislative Ethics Commission may develop comprehensive training for members and employees under its jurisdiction that includes, but is not limited to, sexual harassment, employment discrimination, and workplace civility. The training may be recommended to the ultimate jurisdictional authorities and may be approved by the Commission to satisfy the sexual harassment training required under Section 5-10.5 or be provided in addition to the annual sexual harassment training required under Section 5-10.5. The Commission may seek input from governmental agencies or private entities for guidance in developing such training.

(Source: P.A. 100-588, eff. 6-8-18; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19; 101-221, eff. 8-9-19; 101-617, eff. 12-20-19.)

(5 ILCS 430/25-10)

Sec. 25-10. Office of Legislative Inspector General.

(a) The independent Office of the Legislative Inspector General is created. The Office shall be under the direction and supervision of the Legislative Inspector General and shall be a fully independent office with its own appropriation.

(b) The Legislative Inspector General shall be appointed without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability. The Legislative Ethics Commission shall diligently search out qualified candidates for Legislative Inspector General and shall make recommendations to the General Assembly. The Legislative Inspector General may serve in a full-time, part-time, or contractual capacity.

The Legislative Inspector General shall be appointed by a joint resolution of the Senate and the House of Representatives, which may specify the date on which the appointment takes effect. A joint resolution, or other document as may be specified by the Joint Rules of the General Assembly, appointing the Legislative Inspector General must be certified by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate as having been adopted by the affirmative vote of three-fifths of the members elected to each house, respectively, and be filed with the Secretary of State. The appointment of the Legislative Inspector General takes effect on the day the appointment is completed by the General Assembly, unless the appointment specifies a later date on which it is to become effective.

The Legislative Inspector General shall have the following qualifications:

(1) has not been convicted of any felony under the laws of this State, another state, or the United States;

(2) has earned a baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education; and

(3) has 5 or more years of cumulative service (A) with a federal, State, or local law enforcement agency, at least 2 years of which have been in a progressive investigatory capacity; (B) as a federal, State, or local prosecutor; (C) as a senior manager or executive of a federal, State, or local agency; (D) as a member, an officer, or a State or federal judge; or (E) representing any combination of items (A) through (D).

The Legislative Inspector General may not be a relative of a commissioner.

The term of the initial Legislative Inspector General shall commence upon qualification and shall run through June 30, 2008.

After the initial term, the Legislative Inspector General shall serve for 5-year terms commencing on July 1 of the year of appointment and running through June 30 of the fifth following year. The Legislative Inspector General may be reappointed to one or more subsequent terms. Terms shall run regardless of whether the position is filled.

(b-5) A vacancy occurring other than at the end of a term shall be filled in the same manner as an appointment only for the balance of the term of the Legislative Inspector General whose office is vacant. Within 7 days of the Office becoming vacant or receipt of a Legislative Inspector General's prospective resignation, the vacancy shall be publicly posted on the Commission's website, along with a description of the requirements for the position and where applicants may apply.

Within 45 days of the vacancy, the Commission shall designate an Acting Legislative Inspector General who shall serve until the vacancy is filled. The Commission shall file the designation in writing with the Secretary of State.

Within 60 days prior to the end of the term of the Legislative Inspector General or within 30 days of the occurrence of a vacancy in the Office of the Legislative Inspector General, the Legislative Ethics Commission shall establish a four-member search committee within the Commission for the purpose of conducting a search for qualified candidates to serve as Legislative Inspector General. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Minority Leader of the House, Senate President, and Minority Leader of the Senate shall each appoint one member to the search committee. A member of the search committee shall be either a retired judge or former prosecutor and may not be a member or employee of the General Assembly or a registered lobbyist. If the Legislative Ethics Commission wishes to recommend that the Legislative Inspector General be re-appointed, a search committee does not need to be appointed.

The search committee shall conduct a search for qualified candidates, accept applications, and conduct interviews. The search committee shall recommend up to 3 candidates for Legislative Inspector General to the Legislative Ethics Commission. The search committee shall be disbanded upon an appointment of the Legislative Inspector General. Members of the search committee are not entitled to compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties.

Within 30 days after June 8, 2018 (the effective date of Public Act 100-588) this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly, the Legislative Ethics Commission shall create a search committee in the manner provided for in this subsection to recommend up to 3 candidates for Legislative Inspector General to the Legislative Ethics Commission by October 31, 2018.

If a vacancy exists and the Commission has not appointed an Acting Legislative Inspector General, either the staff of the Office of the Legislative Inspector General, or if there is no staff, the Executive Director, shall advise the Commission of all open investigations and any new allegations or complaints received in the Office of the Inspector General. These reports shall not include the name of any person identified in the allegation or complaint, including, but not limited to, the subject of and the person filing the allegation or complaint. Notification shall be made to the Commission on a weekly basis unless the Commission approves of a different reporting schedule.

If the Office of the Inspector General is vacant for 6 months or more beginning on or after January 1, 2019, and the Legislative Ethics Commission has not appointed an Acting Legislative Inspector General, all complaints made to the Legislative Inspector General or the Legislative Ethics Commission shall be directed to the Inspector General for the Auditor General, and he or she shall have the authority to act as provided in subsection (c) of this Section and Section 25-20 of this Act, and shall be subject to all laws and rules governing a Legislative Inspector General or Acting Legislative Inspector General. The authority for the Inspector General of the Auditor General under this paragraph shall terminate upon appointment of a Legislative Inspector General or an Acting Legislative Inspector General.

(c) The Legislative Inspector General shall have jurisdiction over the current and former members of the General Assembly regarding events occurring during a member's term of office and current and former State employees regarding events occurring during any period of employment where the State employee's ultimate jurisdictional authority is (i) a legislative leader, (ii) the Senate Operations Commission, or (iii) the Joint Committee on Legislative Support Services.

The jurisdiction of each Legislative Inspector General is to investigate allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, misconduct, nonfeasance, misfeasance, or malfeasance related to government service or employment, or violations of this Act or violations of other related laws and rules regarding events that are related to a person's government service or employment.

The Legislative Inspector General shall have jurisdiction over complainants in violation of subsection (e) of Section 25-63 of this Act.

(d) The compensation of the Legislative Inspector General shall be the greater of an amount (i) determined (i) by the Commission or (ii) by joint resolution of the General Assembly passed by a majority of members elected in each chamber. Subject to Section 25-45 of this Act, the Legislative Inspector General has full authority to organize the Office of the Legislative Inspector General, including the employment and determination of the compensation of staff, such as deputies, assistants, and other employees, as appropriations permit. Employment of staff is subject to the approval of at least 3 of the 4 legislative leaders.

(e) No Legislative Inspector General or employee of the Office of the Legislative Inspector General may, during his or her term of appointment or employment:

(1) become a candidate for any elective office;

(2) hold any other elected or appointed public office except for appointments on governmental advisory boards or study commissions or as otherwise expressly authorized by law;

(3) be actively involved in the affairs of any political party or political organization; or

(4) actively participate in any campaign for any elective office.

A full-time Legislative Inspector General shall not engage in the practice of law or any other business, employment, or vocation.

In this subsection an appointed public office means a position authorized by law that is filled by an appointing authority as provided by law and does not include employment by hiring in the ordinary course of business.

(e-1) No Legislative Inspector General or employee of the Office of the Legislative Inspector General may, for one year after the termination of his or her appointment or employment:

(1) become a candidate for any elective office;

(2) hold any elected public office; or

(3) hold any appointed State, county, or local judicial office.

(e-2) The requirements of item (3) of subsection (e-1) may be waived by the Legislative Ethics Commission.

(f) The Commission may remove the Legislative Inspector General only for cause. At the time of the removal, the Commission must report to the General Assembly the justification for the removal.

(Source: P.A. 100-588, eff. 6-8-18; 101-221, eff. 8-9-19; revised 9-12-19.)

(5 ILCS 430/25-15)

Sec. 25-15. Duties of the Legislative Ethics Commission.

In addition to duties otherwise assigned by law, the Legislative Ethics Commission shall have the following duties:

(1) To promulgate rules governing the performance of its duties and the exercise of its powers and governing the investigations of the Legislative Inspector General; except that, the Legislative Ethics Commission shall adopt no rule requiring the Legislative Inspector General to seek the Commission's advance approval before commencing any investigation authorized under this Article or issuing a subpoena under this Article. Any existing rule, as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly, requiring the Legislative Inspector General to seek the Commission's advance approval before commencing any investigation or issuing a subpoena is void. The rules shall be available on the Commission's website and any proposed changes to the rules must be made available to the public on the Commission's website no less than 7 days before the adoption of the changes. Any person shall be given an opportunity to provide written or oral testimony before the Commission in support of or opposition to proposed rules.

(2) To conduct administrative hearings and rule on matters brought before the Commission only upon the receipt of pleadings filed by the Legislative Inspector General and not upon its own prerogative, but may appoint special Legislative Inspectors General as provided in Section 25-21. Any other allegations of misconduct received by the Commission from a person other than the Legislative Inspector General shall be referred to the Office of the Legislative Inspector General.

(3) To prepare and publish manuals and guides and, working with the Office of the Attorney General, oversee training of employees under its jurisdiction that explains their duties.

(4) To prepare public information materials to facilitate compliance, implementation, and enforcement of this Act.

(5) To submit reports as required by this Act.

(6) To the extent authorized by this Act, to make rulings, issue recommendations, and impose administrative fines, if appropriate, in connection with the implementation and interpretation of this Act. The powers and duties of the Commission are limited to matters clearly within the purview of this Act.

(7) To issue subpoenas with respect to matters pending before the Commission, subject to the provisions of this Article and in the discretion of the Commission, to compel the attendance of witnesses for purposes of testimony and the production of documents and other items for inspection and copying.

(8) To appoint special Legislative Inspectors General as provided in Section 25-21.

(9) To conspicuously display on the Commission's website the procedures for reporting a violation of this Act, including how to report violations via email or online.

(10) To conspicuously display on the Commission's website any vacancies within the Office of the Legislative Inspector General.

(11) To appoint an Acting Legislative Inspector General in the event of a vacancy in the Office of the Legislative Inspector General.

(Source: P.A. 100-554, eff. 11-16-17; 100-588, eff. 6-8-18.)

(5 ILCS 430/25-20)

Sec. 25-20. Duties of the Legislative Inspector General.

In addition to duties otherwise assigned by law, the Legislative Inspector General shall have the following duties:

(1) To receive and investigate allegations of violations of this Act. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (1.5), an investigation may not be initiated more than one year after the most recent act of the alleged violation or of a series of alleged violations except where there is reasonable cause to believe that fraudulent concealment has occurred. To constitute fraudulent concealment sufficient to toll this limitations period, there must be an affirmative act or representation calculated to prevent discovery of the fact that a violation has occurred. The Legislative Inspector General shall have the discretion to determine the appropriate means of investigation as permitted by law.

(1.5) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Legislative Inspector General, whether appointed by the Legislative Ethics Commission or the General Assembly, may initiate an investigation based on information provided to the Office of the Legislative Inspector General or the Legislative Ethics Commission during the period from December 1, 2014 through November 3, 2017. Any investigation initiated under this paragraph (1.5) must be initiated within one year after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly.

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Legislative Inspector General, through the Attorney General, shall have the authority to file a complaint related to any founded violations that occurred during the period December 1, 2014 through November 3, 2017 to the Legislative Ethics Commission, and the Commission shall have jurisdiction to conduct administrative hearings related to any pleadings filed by the Legislative Inspector General, provided the complaint is filed with the Commission no later than 6 months after the summary report is provided to the Attorney General in accordance with subsection (c) of Section 25-50.

(2) To request information relating to an investigation from any person when the Legislative Inspector General deems that information necessary in conducting an investigation.

(3) To issue subpoenas, with the advance approval of the Commission, to compel the attendance of witnesses for the purposes of testimony and production of documents and other items for inspection and copying and to make service of those subpoenas and subpoenas issued under item (7) of Section 25-15.

(4) To submit reports as required by this Act.

(5) To file pleadings in the name of the Legislative Inspector General with the Legislative Ethics Commission, through the Attorney General, as provided in this Article if the Attorney General finds that reasonable cause exists to believe that a violation has occurred.

(6) To assist and coordinate the ethics officers for State agencies under the jurisdiction of the Legislative Inspector General and to work with those ethics officers.

(7) To participate in or conduct, when appropriate, multi-jurisdictional investigations.

(8) To request, as the Legislative Inspector General deems appropriate, from ethics officers of State agencies under his or her jurisdiction, reports or information on (i) the content of a State agency's ethics training program and (ii) the percentage of new officers and employees who have completed ethics training.

(9) To establish a policy that ensures the appropriate handling and correct recording of all investigations of allegations and to ensure that the policy is accessible via the Internet in order that those seeking to report those allegations are familiar with the process and that the subjects of those allegations are treated fairly.

(10) To post information to the Legislative Inspector General's website explaining to complainants and subjects of an investigation the legal limitations on the Legislative Inspector General's ability to provide information to them and a general overview of the investigation process.

(Source: P.A. 100-553, eff. 11-16-17; 100-588, eff. 6-8-18.)

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