101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB0812

 

Introduced , by Rep. Robert Martwick

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
10 ILCS 5/9-8.7 new

    Amends the Election Code. Provides that any expenditure made by a news publication or an entity that owns a news publication for the purpose of supporting or opposing a public official or candidate shall be treated as an in-kind contribution for the purposes of the Code. Effective immediately.


LRB101 05138 SMS 50150 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB0812LRB101 05138 SMS 50150 b

1    AN ACT concerning elections.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Election Code is amended by adding Section
59-8.7 as follows:
 
6    (10 ILCS 5/9-8.7 new)
7    Sec. 9-8.7. Expenditures by newspaper entities.
8    (a) As used in this Section only, "expenditure" means:
9        (1) a payment, distribution, purchase, loan, advance,
10    deposit, gift of money, or anything of value, in connection
11    with the nomination for election, election, or retention of
12    any person to or in public office or in connection with any
13    question of public policy; or
14        (2) a payment, distribution, purchase, loan, advance,
15    deposit, gift of money, or anything of value that
16    constitutes an electioneering communication, regardless of
17    whether made in concert or cooperation with or at the
18    request, suggestion, or knowledge of a candidate, a
19    political committee, or any of their agents.
20    As used in this Section only, "expenditure" does not
21include normal publication costs associated with a news story,
22commentary, or editorial, but does include costs associated
23with advertising related to a particular news story,

 

 

HB0812- 2 -LRB101 05138 SMS 50150 b

1commentary, or editorial.
2    (b) Any expenditure made by a news publication or an entity
3that owns a news publication for the purpose of supporting or
4opposing a public official or candidate shall be treated as an
5in-kind contribution for the purposes of this Code.
 
6    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
7becoming law.