Public Act 097-0833
 
HB4569 EnrolledLRB097 18176 JDS 63400 b

    AN ACT concerning State government.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 5. The Secretary of State Merit Employment Code is
amended by changing Sections 5c, 8a, and 8c as follows:
 
    (15 ILCS 310/5c)  (from Ch. 124, par. 105c)
    Sec. 5c. Partial exemptions. The following positions in the
Office of the Secretary of State are exempt from jurisdictions
A, B and C to the extent stated for each unless these
jurisdictions are extended as provided in this Act:
    (1) Special agents selected by the Inspector General
appointed pursuant to Section 14 of the Secretary of State Act
and licensed Licensed attorneys in positions as legal or
technical advisors, except in those positions paid from federal
funds if such exemption is inconsistent with federal
requirements, are exempt from jurisdiction B only to the extent
that Sections 10b.1, 10b.3 and 10b.5 of this Code need not be
met.
    (2) All unskilled positions, unless such exemption is
inconsistent with federal requirements in those positions paid
from federal funds, for which the principal job requirement is
good physical condition are exempt from jurisdiction B.
    (3) The Merit Commission, upon written recommendation of
the Director, shall exempt from jurisdiction B other positions
which, in the judgment of the Commission, are by their nature
highly confidential or involve principal administrative
responsibility for the determination of policy or principal
administrative responsibility for the way in which policies are
carried out, except in those positions paid from federal funds
if such exemption is inconsistent with federal requirements. No
position which has the powers of a law enforcement officer,
except executive security officers, may be exempted under this
section.
    (4) The personal secretaries and chief deputy to persons
exempted under paragraph (3) of Section 5b of this Act are
exempt from jurisdiction B, unless such exemption is
inconsistent with federal requirements in those positions paid
from federal funds.
    (5) Positions which are paid a prevailing rate of wage are
exempt from jurisdiction B.
(Source: P.A. 80-13.)
 
    (15 ILCS 310/8a)  (from Ch. 124, par. 108a)
    Sec. 8a. Terms, compensation. Members of the Merit
Commission shall be initially appointed as follows:
    (1) One member to serve for 2 years and until his successor
is appointed;
    (2) One member to serve for 4 years and until his successor
is appointed; and
    (3) One member to serve for 6 years and until his successor
is appointed.
    Thereafter, members of the Commission shall be appointed by
the Secretary of State for six year terms with the advice and
consent of the Senate.
    A member of the Commission shall be appointed as Chairman
by the Secretary of State for a two-year term. The Secretary of
State may appoint the Chairman for consecutive terms. The
Chairman may also be appointed as the Administrator responsible
for overseeing the Commission staff and day-to-day operations
of the Commission.
    The Secretary of State may appoint a person to fill a
vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of a six year term
for the remainder of the unexpired term with the advice and
consent of the Senate.
    The salary of the Chairman of the Commission shall be
$10,000 per annum or an amount set by the Compensation Review
Board, whichever is greater, and other members of the
Commission shall be paid $7,500 per annum or an amount set by
the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater. They shall
be entitled to reimbursement for necessary traveling and other
official expenditures necessitated by their official duties.
If the Chairman of the Commission is also appointed as the
Administrator of the Commission, the Chairman's salary will be
set by the Secretary.
(Source: P.A. 84-440.)
 
    (15 ILCS 310/8c)  (from Ch. 124, par. 108c)
    Sec. 8c. Duties and powers of the Commission. The Merit
Commission, in addition to any other duties prescribed in this
Act, shall have the following duties and powers:
    (1) Upon written recommendations by the Director of
Personnel, to exempt from jurisdiction B of this Act positions
which, in the judgment of the Commission, are by their nature
highly confidential or involve principal administrative
responsibility for the determination of policy or principal
administrative responsibility for the way in which policies are
carried out. No position which has the powers of a law
enforcement officer, except executive security officers, may
be exempted under this section.
    (2) To require such special reports from the Director as it
may consider desirable.
    (3) To disapprove original rules or any part thereof and
any amendment thereof within 30 calendar days after the
submission of such rules to the Merit Commission by the
Director.
    (4) To disapprove within 30 calendar days from date of
submission the position classification plan and any revisions
thereof submitted by the Director as provided in the rules.
    (5) To hear appeals of employees who do not accept the
allocation of their positions under the classification plan.
    (6) To hear and approve or disapprove written charges filed
seeking the discharge or demotion of employees or suspension
totaling more than 30 calendar days in any 12 month period, as
provided in Section 9, appeals as provided in Section 9a of
this Act, and appeals from transfers from one geographical area
in the state to another, and in connection therewith to
administer oaths, subpoena witnesses and compel the production
of books and papers.
    (7) (Blank).
    (8) To make an annual report regarding the work of the
Commission to the Secretary of State, such report to be a
public record.
    (9) If any violation of this Act is found, the Commission
shall direct compliance in writing.
    (10) To appoint such employees, experts and special
assistants as may be necessary to carry out the powers and
duties of the commission under this Act. Employees, experts and
special assistants so appointed by the Commission shall be
subject to jurisdictions A, B and C of this Act, except the
Chairman of the Commission when serving as the Administrator of
the Commission shall not be subject to jurisdictions A, B, and
C of this Act.
    (11) To promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry
out and implement their powers and duties under this Act, with
authority to amend such rules from time to time pursuant to The
Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.
    (12) Within one year of the effective date of this
amendatory Act of 1985, the Commission shall adopt rules and
regulations which shall include all Commission policies
implementing its duties under Sections 8, 9, 10 and 15 of this
Act. These rules and regulations shall include, but not be
limited to, the standards and criteria used by the Commission
and Hearing Officers in making discretionary determinations
during hearing procedures.
    (13) To hear or conduct investigations as it deems
necessary of appeals of layoff filed by employees appointed
under Jurisdiction B after examination, provided that such
appeals are filed within 15 calendar days following the
effective date of such layoff and are made on the basis that
the provisions of the Secretary of State Merit Employment Code
or the rules promulgated thereunder have been violated or have
not been complied with. All hearings shall be public. A
decision shall be rendered within 60 days after receipt of the
transcript of the proceedings. The Commission shall order the
reinstatement of the employee if it is proven that the
provisions of the Secretary of State Merit Employment Code or
the rules promulgated thereunder have been violated or have not
been complied with. In connection therewith the Commission may
administer oaths, subpoena witnesses, and compel the
production of books and papers.
(Source: P.A. 90-372, eff. 7-1-98; 90-422, eff. 8-15-97.)
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.