HB5450 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 19640 RTM 33089 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB5450

Introduced 2/13/2026, by Rep. Maurice A. West, II

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

65 ILCS 5/3.1-55-30 new

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, no municipal official, municipal employee, or candidate for a municipal office shall engage in or permit the unauthorized use of any municipal property. Provides that no candidate for municipal office or political fundraising committee may use any municipal property or photographic or filmed image of municipal property for the purpose of influencing, in any way, the outcome of any election of any candidate for municipal office. Provides that specified expenditures made by political fundraising committees for the purpose of either financing communications expressly advocating for the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate for municipal office or soliciting funds for purpose of financing communications expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate for municipal office, if paid for and authorized by a candidate for municipal office or an authorized political committee of a candidate for municipal office or its agents, shall clearly state that the communication was paid for by the authorized political fundraising committee and shall contain a statement, either read by the candidate in a pre-recorded audio message or clearly printed, that the candidate has approved the communication.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning local government.

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

Section 5. The Illinois Municipal Code is amended by adding Section 3.1-55-30 as follows:

(65 ILCS 5/3.1-55-30 new)

Sec. 3.1-55-30. Restrictions on candidates for municipal office.

(a) No municipal official, municipal employee, or candidate for a municipal office shall engage in or permit the unauthorized use of any municipal property.

(b) Unless otherwise permitted in this Code, no candidate for municipal office or political fundraising committee may use any municipal property or photographic or filmed image of municipal property for the purpose of influencing, in any way, the outcome of any election of any candidate for municipal office.

(c) Whenever a political fundraising committee makes an expenditure for a pamphlet, circular, handbill, Internet or telephone communication, radio, television, or print advertisement, including, but not limited to, newspapers, magazines, outdoor advertising facilities, mailings, or electronic or Internet-based or social media sites, for the purpose of financing communications expressly advocating for the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate for municipal office or solicits any contribution through any a manner listed in this subsection, the communication, if paid for and authorized by a candidate for municipal office or an authorized political committee of a candidate for municipal office or its agents, shall clearly state that the communication was paid for by the authorized political fundraising committee and shall contain a statement, either read by the candidate in a pre-recorded audio message or clearly printed, that the candidate has approved the communication.

(d) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit the incidental use of municipal property in connection with the solicitation and acceptance of any gifts permitted by law.