HB4965 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB097 20035 KMW 65356 b

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB4965

Introduced 2/3/2012, by Rep. Sandy Cole

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

60 ILCS 1/55-70 new

Amends the Township Code. Provides that after the effective date of the amendatory Act, in any township that is the subject of a legal settlement or judgment from a court of law for wrongful discharge of an employee, each officer, member, or employee of that township must complete an ethics training course. Sets forth requirements concerning the standards, frequency, and subject matter of the course. Provides that completion of the program must be certified in writing. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning local government.

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

Section 5. The Township Code is amended by adding Section 55-70 as follows:

(60 ILCS 1/55-70 new)

Sec. 55-70. Ethics training. After the effective date of this amendatory act of the 97th General Assembly, in any township that is the subject of a legal settlement or judgment from a court of law for wrongful discharge of an employee, each officer, member, or employee of that township must complete an ethics training course. The training shall be sponsored or conducted by an association that represents townships.

The association shall set the standards and determine the hours and frequency of training necessary for each position or category of positions. A person who fills a vacancy in an elective or appointed position that requires training, and a person employed in a position that requires training, must complete his or her initial ethics training within 30 days after commencement of his or her office or employment.

Upon completion of the ethics training program, each officer, member, or employee must certify in writing to the public body, that the person has completed the training program. Each officer, member, or employee must provide a signed copy of the certification by the deadline for completion of the ethics training program.

The course of training shall include, but not be limited to, instruction in the following: restrictions on activities, personnel policies and time records, wrongful discharge, prohibited political activities, campaign contributions, restrictions on contracts, ex parte communications with certain agencies, retaliation against whistleblowers, revolving door prohibitions, public service announcements, promotional materials, newsletters and brochures, rights and duties, whistleblower protection, ethics training, violation of ethics laws, complaints, hearings, and decisions, penalties, and advice.

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