HB4379eng 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB4379 Engrossed LRB099 15813 AWJ 40122 b

AN ACT concerning local government.

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

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Local Government Travel Expense Control Act.

Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Entertainment" includes, but is not limited to, shows, amusements, theaters, circuses, sporting events, or any other place of public or private entertainment or amusement, unless ancillary to the purpose of the program or event.

"Local public agency" means a school district, community college district, or unit of local government other than a home rule unit.

"Travel" means any expenditure directly incident to official travel by employees and officers of a local public agency or by wards or charges of a local public agency involving reimbursement to travelers or direct payment to private agencies providing transportation or related services.

Section 10. Regulation of travel expenses. All local public agencies shall, by resolution or ordinance, regulate the reimbursement of all travel, meal, and lodging expenses of officers and employees, including, but not limited to: (1) the types of official business for which travel, meal, and lodging expenses are allowed; (2) maximum allowable reimbursement for travel, meal, and lodging expenses; and (3) a standardized form for submission of travel, meal, and lodging expenses supported by the minimum documentation required under Section 20 of this Act. The regulations may allow for approval of expenses that exceed the maximum allowable travel, meal, or lodging expenses because of emergency or other extraordinary circumstances. On and after 180 days after the effective date of this Act of the 99th General Assembly, no travel, meal, or lodging expense shall be approved or paid by a local public agency unless regulations have been adopted under this Section.

Section 15. Approval of expenses. On or after 60 days after the effective date of this Act of the 99th General Assembly, expenses for travel, meals, and lodging of: (1) any officer or employee that exceeds the maximum allowed under the regulations adopted under Section 10 of this Act; or (2) any member of the governing board or corporate authorities of the local public agency, may only be approved by roll call vote at an open meeting of the governing board or corporate authorities of the local public agency.

Section 20. Documentation of expenses. Before an expense for travel, meals, or lodging may be approved under Section 15 of this Act, the following minimum documentation must first be submitted, in writing, to the governing board or corporate authorities:

(1) an estimate of the cost of travel, meals, or lodging if expenses have not been incurred or a receipt of the cost of the travel, meals, or lodging if the expenses have already been incurred;

(2) the name of the individual who received or is requesting the travel, meal, or lodging expense;

(3) the job title or office of the individual who received or is requesting the travel, meal, or lodging expense; and

(4) the date or dates and nature of the official business in which the travel, meal, or lodging expense was or will be expended. All documents and information submitted under this Section are public records subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.

Section 25. Entertainment expenses. No local public agency may reimburse any governing board member, employee, or officer for any entertainment expense.