SB3296 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB100 20682 RJF 36135 b

100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
SB3296

Introduced 2/15/2018, by Sen. Melinda Bush

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

5 ILCS 430/50-5
15 ILCS 305/14
25 ILCS 170/11	from Ch. 63, par. 181

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that the Secretary of State or the Executive Ethics Commission, after the adjudication of a violation regarding sexual harassment under the Lobbyist Registration Act for which an investigation was initiated by the Inspector General appointed by the Secretary of State, are authorized to temporarily suspend or terminate any person, or lobbying entity for which that person is employed, registered under the Lobbyist Registration Act. Amends the Secretary of State Act. Authorizes the Secretary of State Inspector General to file pleadings with the Executive Ethics Commission, through the Attorney General, if the Attorney General finds that reasonable cause exists to believe that a violation regarding acts of sexual harassment by a lobbyist occurred. Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act. Provides that failure to cooperate in an investigation initiated by the Secretary of State Inspector General, or a finding by the Inspector General of a violation regarding sexual harassment, shall give the Secretary of State discretion to temporarily suspend or terminate any person, or lobbying entity for which that person is employed, registered under the Act. 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 State Officials and Employees Ethics Act is amended by changing Section 50-5 as follows:

(5 ILCS 430/50-5)

Sec. 50-5. Penalties.

(a) A person is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor if that person intentionally violates any provision of Section 5-15, 5-30, 5-40, or 5-45 or Article 15.

(a-1) An ethics commission may levy an administrative fine for a violation of Section 5-45 of this Act of up to 3 times the total annual compensation that would have been obtained in violation of Section 5-45.

(b) A person who intentionally violates any provision of Section 5-20, 5-35, 5-50, or 5-55 is guilty of a business offense subject to a fine of at least $1,001 and up to $5,000.

(c) A person who intentionally violates any provision of Article 10 is guilty of a business offense and subject to a fine of at least $1,001 and up to $5,000.

(d) Any person who intentionally makes a false report alleging a violation of any provision of this Act to an ethics commission, an inspector general, the State Police, a State's Attorney, the Attorney General, or any other law enforcement official is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(e) An ethics commission may levy an administrative fine of up to $5,000 against any person who violates this Act, who intentionally obstructs or interferes with an investigation conducted under this Act by an inspector general, or who intentionally makes a false, frivolous, or bad faith allegation.

(f) In addition to any other penalty that may apply, whether criminal or civil, a State employee who intentionally violates any provision of Section 5-5, 5-15, 5-20, 5-30, 5-35, 5-45, or 5-50, Article 10, Article 15, or Section 20-90 or 25-90 is subject to discipline or discharge by the appropriate ultimate jurisdictional authority.

(g) Any person who violates Section 5-65 is subject to a fine of up to $5,000 per offense, and is subject to discipline or discharge by the appropriate ultimate jurisdictional authority. Each violation of Section 5-65 is a separate offense. Any penalty imposed by an ethics commission shall be separate and distinct from any fines or penalties imposed by a court of law or a State or federal agency.

(h) Any person who violates Section 4.7 or paragraph (d) of Section 5 of the Lobbyist Registration Act is guilty of a business offense and shall be subject to a fine of up to $5,000. The Secretary of State or the Executive Ethics Commission, after the adjudication of a violation of Section 4.7 of the Lobbyist Registration Act for which an investigation was initiated by the Inspector General appointed by the Secretary of State under Section 14 of the Secretary of State Act, are authorized to temporarily suspend or terminate any person, or lobbying entity for which that person is employed, registered under the Lobbyist Registration Act. Any penalty imposed by an ethics commission shall be separate and distinct from any fines or penalties imposed by a court of law or by the Secretary of State under the Lobbyist Registration Act.

(Source: P.A. 100-554, eff. 11-16-17.)

Section 10. The Secretary of State Act is amended by changing Section 14 as follows:

(15 ILCS 305/14)

Sec. 14. Inspector General.

(a) The Secretary of State must, with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoint an Inspector General for the purpose of detection, deterrence, and prevention of fraud, corruption, mismanagement, gross or aggravated misconduct, or misconduct that may be criminal in nature in the Office of the Secretary of State. The Inspector General shall serve a 5-year term. If no successor is appointed and qualified upon the expiration of the Inspector General's term, the Office of Inspector General is deemed vacant and the powers and duties under this Section may be exercised only by an appointed and qualified interim Inspector General until a successor Inspector General is appointed and qualified. If the General Assembly is not in session when a vacancy in the Office of Inspector General occurs, the Secretary of State may appoint an interim Inspector General whose term shall expire 2 weeks after the next regularly scheduled session day of the Senate.

(b) The 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 either (A) 5 or more years of service with a federal, State, or local law enforcement agency, at least 2 years of which have been in a progressive investigatory capacity; (B) 5 or more years of service as a federal, State, or local prosecutor; or (C) 5 or more years of service as a senior manager or executive of a federal, State, or local agency.

(c) The Inspector General may review, coordinate, and recommend methods and procedures to increase the integrity of the Office of the Secretary of State. The duties of the Inspector General shall supplement and not supplant the duties of the Chief Auditor for the Secretary of State's Office or any other Inspector General that may be authorized by law. The Inspector General must report directly to the Secretary of State.

(d) In addition to the authority otherwise provided by this Section, but only when investigating the Office of the Secretary of State, its employees, or their actions for fraud, corruption, mismanagement, gross or aggravated misconduct, or misconduct that may be criminal in nature, the Inspector General is authorized:

(1) To have access to all records, reports, audits, reviews, documents, papers, recommendations, or other materials available that relate to programs and operations with respect to which the Inspector General has responsibilities under this Section.

(2) To make any investigations and reports relating to the administration of the programs and operations of the Office of the Secretary of State that are, in the judgment of the Inspector General, necessary or desirable.

(3) To request any information or assistance that may be necessary for carrying out the duties and responsibilities provided by this Section from any local, State, or federal governmental agency or unit thereof.

(4) To require by subpoena the appearance of witnesses and the production of all information, documents, reports, answers, records, accounts, papers, and other data and documentary evidence necessary in the performance of the functions assigned by this Section, with the exception of subsection (c) and with the exception of records of a labor organization authorized and recognized under the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act to be the exclusive bargaining representative of employees of the Secretary of State, including, but not limited to, records of representation of employees and the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements. A subpoena may be issued under this paragraph (4) only by the Inspector General and not by members of the Inspector General's staff. A person duly subpoenaed for testimony, documents, or other items who neglects or refuses to testify or produce documents or other items under the requirements of the subpoena shall be subject to punishment as may be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, unless (i) the testimony, documents, or other items are covered by the attorney-client privilege or any other privilege or right recognized by law or (ii) the testimony, documents, or other items concern the representation of employees and the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements by a labor organization authorized and recognized under the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act to be the exclusive bargaining representative of employees of the Secretary of State. Nothing in this Section limits a person's right to protection against self-incrimination under the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution or Article I, Section 10, of the Constitution of the State of Illinois.

(5) To have direct and prompt access to the Secretary of State for any purpose pertaining to the performance of functions and responsibilities under this Section.

(d-5) In addition to the authority otherwise provided by this Section, the Secretary of State Inspector General shall have jurisdiction to investigate complaints and allegations of wrongdoing by any person or entity related to the Lobbyist Registration Act. When investigating those complaints and allegations, the Inspector General is authorized:

(1) To have access to all records, reports, audits, reviews, documents, papers, recommendations, or other materials available that relate to programs and operations with respect to which the Inspector General has responsibilities under this Section.

(2) To request any information or assistance that may be necessary for carrying out the duties and responsibilities provided by this Section from any local, State, or federal governmental agency or unit thereof.

(3) To require by subpoena the appearance of witnesses and the production of all information, documents, reports, answers, records, accounts, papers, and other data and documentary evidence necessary in the performance of the functions assigned by this Section. A subpoena may be issued under this paragraph (3) only by the Inspector General and not by members of the Inspector General's staff. A person duly subpoenaed for testimony, documents, or other items who neglects or refuses to testify or produce documents or other items under the requirements of the subpoena shall be subject to punishment as may be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, unless the testimony, documents, or other items are covered by the attorney-client privilege or any other privilege or right recognized by law. Nothing in this Section limits a person's right to protection against self-incrimination under the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution or Section 10 of Article I of the Constitution of the State of Illinois.

(4) To have direct and prompt access to the Secretary of State for any purpose pertaining to the performance of functions and responsibilities under this Section.

(5) As provided in subsection (d) of Section 5 of the Lobbyist Registration Act, to review allegations that an individual required to be registered under the Lobbyist Registration Act has engaged in one or more acts of sexual harassment. Upon completion of that review, the Inspector General shall submit a summary of the review to the Executive Ethics Commission. The Inspector General is authorized to file pleadings with the Executive Ethics Commission, through the Attorney General, if the Attorney General finds that reasonable cause exists to believe that a violation regarding acts of sexual harassment has occurred. The Secretary shall adopt rules setting forth the procedures for the review of such allegations.

(e) The Inspector General may receive and investigate complaints or information concerning the possible existence of an activity constituting a violation of law, rules, or regulations; mismanagement; abuse of authority; or substantial and specific danger to the public health and safety. Any person who knowingly files a false complaint or files a complaint with reckless disregard for the truth or the falsity of the facts underlying the complaint may be subject to discipline as set forth in the rules of the Department of Personnel of the Secretary of State or the Inspector General may refer the matter to a State's Attorney or the Attorney General.

The Inspector General may not, after receipt of a complaint or information, disclose the identity of the source without the consent of the source, unless the Inspector General determines that disclosure of the identity is reasonable and necessary for the furtherance of the investigation.

Any employee who has the authority to recommend or approve any personnel action or to direct others to recommend or approve any personnel action may not, with respect to that authority, take or threaten to take any action against any employee as a reprisal for making a complaint or disclosing information to the Inspector General, unless the complaint was made or the information disclosed with the knowledge that it was false or with willful disregard for its truth or falsity.

(f) The Inspector General must adopt rules, in accordance with the provisions of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, establishing minimum requirements for initiating, conducting, and completing investigations. The rules must establish criteria for determining, based upon the nature of the allegation, the appropriate method of investigation, which may include, but is not limited to, site visits, telephone contacts, personal interviews, or requests for written responses. The rules must also clarify how the Office of the Inspector General shall interact with other local, State, and federal law enforcement investigations.

Any employee of the Secretary of State subject to investigation or inquiry by the Inspector General or any agent or representative of the Inspector General concerning misconduct that is criminal in nature shall have the right to be notified of the right to remain silent during the investigation or inquiry and the right to be represented in the investigation or inquiry by an attorney or a representative of a labor organization that is the exclusive collective bargaining representative of employees of the Secretary of State. Any investigation or inquiry by the Inspector General or any agent or representative of the Inspector General must be conducted with an awareness of the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement that applies to the employees of the Secretary of State and with an awareness of the rights of the employees as set forth in State and federal law and applicable judicial decisions. Any recommendations for discipline or any action taken against any employee by the Inspector General or any representative or agent of the Inspector General must comply with the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement that applies to the employee.

(g) On or before January 1 of each year, the Inspector General shall report to the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives on the types of investigations and the activities undertaken by the Office of the Inspector General during the previous calendar year.

(Source: P.A. 100-554, eff. 11-16-17.)

Section 15. The Lobbyist Registration Act is amended by changing Section 11 as follows:

(25 ILCS 170/11) (from Ch. 63, par. 181)

Sec. 11. Enforcement.

(a) The Secretary of State Inspector General appointed under Section 14 of the Secretary of State Act shall initiate investigations of violations of this Act upon receipt of credible evidence of a violation. If, upon conclusion of an investigation, the Inspector General reasonably believes a violation of this Act has occurred, the Inspector General shall provide the alleged violator with written notification of the alleged violation. Within 30 calendar days after receipt of the notification, the alleged violator shall submit a written response to the Inspector General. The response shall indicate whether the alleged violator (i) disputes the alleged violation, including any facts that reasonably prove the alleged violation did not violate the Act, or (ii) agrees to take action to correct the alleged violation within 30 calendar days, including a description of the action the alleged violator has taken or will take to correct the alleged violation. If the alleged violator disputes the alleged violation or fails to respond to the notification of the alleged violation, the Inspector General shall transmit the evidence to the appropriate State's Attorney or Attorney General. If the alleged violator agrees to take action to correct the alleged violation, the Inspector General shall make available to the public the notification from the Inspector General and the response from the alleged violator and shall not transmit the evidence to the appropriate State's Attorney or Attorney General. Nothing in this Act requires the Inspector General to notify an alleged violator of an ongoing investigation or to notify the alleged violator of a referral of any evidence to a law enforcement agency, a State's Attorney, or the Attorney General pursuant to subsection (c).

(a-5) Failure to cooperate in an investigation initiated by the Secretary of State Inspector General appointed under Section 14 of the Secretary of State Act, or a finding by the Inspector General of a violation of Section 4.7, shall give the Secretary of State discretion to temporarily suspend or terminate any person, or lobbying entity for which that person is employed, registered under this Act.

(b) Any violation of this Act may be prosecuted in the county where the offense is committed or in Sangamon County. In addition to the State's Attorney of the appropriate county, the Attorney General of Illinois also is authorized to prosecute any violation of this Act.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Inspector General may at any time refer evidence of a violation of State or federal law, in addition to a violation of this Act, to the appropriate law enforcement agency, State's Attorney, or Attorney General.

(Source: P.A. 96-555, eff. 1-1-10; 96-1358, eff. 7-28-10.)

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