Section 2650.50  Violation of Code of Campaign Conduct

a)         Any employee, annuitant, governmental agency, university, or Qualified Charitable Organization with a complaint regarding SECA activities may submit a written complaint accompanied by supporting documentation to the Department.

b)         Within ten working days after receipt of the complaint, the Department shall contact the party subject of the complaint and supply them with a copy of the written complaint and supporting documentation.  The party subject of the complaint shall submit a response to the Department within 10 days after receipt of the complaint or the decision will be made without input from that party.  Within ten working days after receiving the response, the Department will respond to the complainant denying the complaint, identifying the proposed resolution or taking other action, which may include conducting a hearing.

c)         Any such decision of the Department may be appealed to the Committee on Campaign Conduct within 10 calendar days after receipt of the response to the complaint.

d)         The goal of the Committee shall be to act on the appeal, which may include holding a public hearing, and make a final determination within 10 working days after receipt of the appeal.

e)         A Qualified Charitable Organization, or a benefiting agency of a Qualified Charitable Organization, may be denied participation in the SECA campaign for failure to comply with this Code of Campaign Conduct.  Denial shall be for the next entire campaign period.  Early reinstatement will be considered if the organization provides sufficient assurance that it will comply with these Code of Campaign Conduct rules.  Restrictions may be placed on the Qualified Charitable Organization or benefiting agency if allowed early reinstatement.  Suspension from a campaign shall not require a Qualified Charitable Organization to again meet basic qualifying criteria as set forth in the statute.

f)         To help other Qualified Charitable Organizations avoid suspension, the Department may circulate written reminders of conduct or actions as outlined in Section 2650.40 that are or have been found to be violations of the Code.  If the Qualified Charitable Organization receives three reminders and the violation is not remedied within the period of time specified in the reminder, the Committee may deny the Qualified Charitable Organization participation in the next entire campaign period.

(Source:  Amended at 29 Ill. Reg. 2244, effective February 1, 2005)