HB6896 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 23175 HLH 42517 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
HB6896

Introduced , by Rep. Tom Cross - Jim Durkin - Sidney H. Mathias

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

35 ILCS 200/3-70 new
35 ILCS 200/6-65 new

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the Cook County Assessor and the Cook County Board of Review shall each maintain a public log detailing ex parte communications involving property tax appeals. Provides that any ex parte communications received by the Cook County Board of Review or the Cook County Assessor must be transmitted to the appropriate ethics officer. Provides that the ethics officer must make the communication a part of the record of the appeal or assessment. Defines ex parte communication. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning revenue.

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

Section 5. The Property Tax Code is amended by adding Sections 3-70 and 6-65 as follows:

(35 ILCS 200/3-70 new)

Sec. 3-70. Cook County Assessor; ex parte communication. The Cook County Assessor shall maintain a public log detailing all ex parte communications involving the Cook County Assessor's office. The log shall indicate (i) the date, nature, and substance of all ex parte communications received by the office, (ii) the identity and job title of the person in the Assessor's office to whom each communication was made, (iii) the date and nature of the response made by the Assessor's office and the identity and job title of the person making the response, (iv) the identity of the party making the communication and, if applicable, the identity of the individual or entity represented by that person, (v) any action requested, and (vi) any other pertinent information. In addition, any ex parte communications involving the Cook County Assessor's office must be immediately reported to the office's ethics officer, and the ethics officer must make the communication a part of the record of the appeal or assessment.

For purposes of this Section, "ex parte communication" means any written or oral communication made by any person during an appeal to the Cook County Assessor that imparts or requests material information related to that appeal or makes a material argument regarding potential action of the Assessor that is communicated to the Cook County Assessor or to an employee of the Cook County Assessor's office. "Ex parte communication" does not include (i) statements made in a public forum; (ii) statements regarding matters of procedure and practice, such as the format of public comments, the number of copies required, the manner of filing public comments, or the status of an appeal or assessment; or (iii) statements made by the Cook County Assessor or an employee of the Cook County Assessor's office.

(35 ILCS 200/6-65 new)

Sec. 6-65. Cook County Board of Review; ex parte communication. The Cook County Board of Review shall maintain a public log detailing all ex parte communications involving the Board. The log shall indicate (i) the date, nature, and substance of all ex parte communications received by the Board, (ii) the identity and job title of the Board member or employee to whom each communication was made, (iii) the date and nature of the response made by the Board and the identity and job title of the person making the response, (iv) the identity of the party making the communication and, if applicable, the identity of the individual or entity represented by that person, (v) any action requested, and (vi) any other pertinent information. In addition, any ex parte communications involving the Cook County Board of Review must be immediately reported to the Board's ethics officer, and the ethics officer must make the communication a part of the record of the appeal.

For purposes of this Section, "ex parte communication" means any written or oral communication made by any person during an appeal to the Cook County Board of Review that imparts or requests material information related to that appeal or makes a material argument regarding potential action of the Board of Review that is communicated to the Board or to an employee of the Board. "Ex parte communication" does not include (i) statements made in a public forum; (ii) statements regarding matters of procedure and practice, such as the format of public comments, the number of copies required, the manner of filing public comments, or the status of an appeal or assessment; or (iii) statements made by a member of the Cook County Board of Review or an employee of the Board.

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