SB3020 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 15368 RJF 64574 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
SB3020

Introduced 2/5/2020, by Sen. Scott M. Bennett

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

5 ILCS 420/2-101

from Ch. 127, par. 602-101

Amends the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Provides that a member of the General Assembly, his or her spouse, and any immediate family member living with that member of the General Assembly shall not, for compensation: (1) act as a lobbyist or otherwise act in a capacity that would require that person to register as a lobbyist; or (2) communicate with any official of the executive or legislative branch of State government or any official of any unit of local government or school district for the ultimate purpose of influencing any executive, legislative, or administrative action. Provides that any person who violates the provisions commits a Class A misdemeanor and, if a member of the General Assembly, shall forfeit his or her office. Defines terms. Repeals current provisions banning members of the General Assembly from lobbying. 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 Illinois Governmental Ethics Act is amended by changing Section 2-101 as follows:

(5 ILCS 420/2-101) (from Ch. 127, par. 602-101)

Sec. 2-101. Prohibition on lobbying.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, on and after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, a member of the General Assembly, his or her spouse, and any immediate family member living with that member of the General Assembly shall not, for compensation:

(1) act as a lobbyist or otherwise act in a capacity that would require that person to register as a lobbyist under the Lobbyist Registration Act or any lobbyist registration ordinance adopted by a unit of local government or school district; or

(2) communicate with any official of the executive or legislative branch of State government or any official of any unit of local government or school district for the ultimate purpose of influencing any executive, legislative, or administrative action.

(b) Any person who violates the provisions of this Section commits a Class A misdemeanor and, if a member of the General Assembly, shall forfeit his or her office.

(c) For purposes of this Section only:

"Lobbyist" means an individual who, by acting directly, does any of the following:

(1) Receives compensation to encourage the passage, defeat, approval, veto, or modification of legislation, a rule, or an executive order by the members of the General Assembly, a State agency, or any statewide or local elected official or governing body.

(2) Is a designated representative of an organization which has as one of its purposes the encouragement of the passage, defeat, approval, veto, or modification of legislation, a rule, or an executive order before the General Assembly, a State agency, or any statewide or local elected official or governing body.

(3) Represents the position of a federal, State, or local government body or agency, in which the person serves or is employed as the designated representative, for purposes of encouraging the passage, defeat, approval, veto, or modification of legislation, a rule, or an executive order by members of the General Assembly, a State agency, or any statewide or local elected official or governing body.

"Lobbyist" does not include an individual who is a member, director, trustee, officer, or committee member of a business, trade, labor, farm, professional, religious, education, or charitable association, foundation, or organization who is not paid compensation and is not otherwise specifically designated as a lobbyist under this Act.

"Official of any unit of local government or school district" means any elected or appointed official of a unit of local government or school district.

"Official of the executive or legislative branch of State government" has the meaning provided in subsection (c) of Section 2 of the Lobbyist Registration Act. No legislator may engage in lobbying, as that term is defined in Section 1-109, if he accepts compensation specifically attributable to such lobbying, other than that provided by law for members of the General Assembly. Nothing in this Section prohibits a legislator from lobbying without compensation.

A violation of this Section shall constitute a Class A misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 77-2830.)

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