SB3484 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 24442 RJF 33676 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
SB3484

Introduced 1/19/2022, by Sen. Ann Gillespie

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

25 ILCS 130/9-2.5

Amends the Legislative Commission Reorganization Act of 1984. Provides that newsletters and other materials intended for distribution to constituents may deal with such matters as: (i) reports on public and official actions taken by the General Assembly and the members requesting the newsletters; (ii) discussions of proposed or pending legislation or governmental actions; and (iii) the position of the members requesting the newsletter, and the arguments for or against, such matters. Provides that newsletters and other materials may contain fair comment on the positions taken by a constitutional officer, legislative leader, or legislative caucus, but such commentary shall not include past or future campaign activities or campaign positions. Provides that newsletters and other materials may refer to each caucus, members thereof, and voting records, with specified limitations. Provides that newsletters and other materials shall not contain appeals for campaign contributions or other funds, and shall not be used to announce or advertise campaign activities. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

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

Section 5. The Legislative Commission Reorganization Act of 1984 is amended by changing Section 9-2.5 as follows:

(25 ILCS 130/9-2.5)

Sec. 9-2.5. Newsletters and brochures.

(a) The Legislative Printing Unit may not print for any member of the General Assembly any newsletters or brochures during the period beginning February 1 of the year of a general primary election, except that in 2022 the period shall begin on May 15, 2022, and ending the day after the general primary election and during a period beginning September 1 of the year of a general election and ending the day after the general election. A member of the General Assembly may not mail, during a period beginning February 1 of the year of a general primary election, except that in 2022 the period shall begin on May 15, 2022, and ending the day after the general primary election and during a period beginning September 1 of the year of a general election and ending the day after the general election, any newsletters or brochures that were printed, at any time, by the Legislative Printing Unit, except that such a newsletter or brochure may be mailed during those times if it is mailed to a constituent in response to that constituent's inquiry concerning the needs of that constituent or questions raised by that constituent.

(b) Newsletters and other materials intended for distribution to constituents may deal with such matters as: (i) reports on public and official actions taken by the General Assembly and the members requesting the newsletters; (ii) discussions of proposed or pending legislation or governmental actions; and (iii) the position of the members requesting the newsletter, and the arguments for or against, such matters.

(c) Newsletters and other materials may contain fair comment on the positions taken by a constitutional officer, legislative leader, or legislative caucus, but such commentary shall not include past or future campaign activities or campaign positions.

(d) A newsletter and other materials may refer to each caucus as a group, whether as "majority" or "minority" or by party name. No ad hominem or personal criticisms are permitted. Individual names of any other member of the General Assembly, or any language that can be used to specifically identify any member, except as listed as a co-sponsor of a bill with the member requesting the newsletter, are prohibited unless written permission has been obtained from the other member or members before printing. The voting record of other individual members of the General Assembly may be included only with the prior written consent of the other member or members.

(e) A newsletter and other materials shall not contain appeals, direct or indirect, for campaign contributions or other funds, and shall not be used to announce or advertise campaign activities.

(Source: P.A. 102-668, eff. 11-15-21; 102-692, eff. 1-7-22.)

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