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1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The legitimacy of democratic government requires
3the public's trust that elected officials act in the best
4interests of the people of the State; and
 
5    WHEREAS, The trust of the citizens in their government at
6all levels has recently been tested; and
 
7    WHEREAS, The long storied history of this State has also
8shown the strength and commitment of its public servants to
9work to regain that public trust when shaken and ensure that
10citizens receive the honest services to which they are
11rightfully due from their public servants; and
 
12    WHEREAS, We, as a political body, know that our duty to act
13in the best interests of the State and its citizens requires us
14to rise above partisan and geographical divides while serving
15as their elected representatives; and
 
16    WHEREAS, The laws and operational practices of the State of
17Illinois affect all citizens, their trust in its governance,
18and the integrity of the democratic process; it is necessary
19and appropriate that the legislative and executive branches
20come together to review current State statutes, review
21enforcement of those statutes, take public testimony, and

 

 

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1determine what additional measures could be enacted to reform
2Illinois government, while remaining mindful of our duty to
3protect the rights enshrined in both our State and federal
4constitutions; therefore, be it
 
5    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
6HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
7SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that there is created the Joint
8Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform; and be it further
 
9    RESOLVED, That the Joint Commission shall have the
10following duties, to:
11        (1) Review the State Officials and Employees Ethics
12    Act, the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act, the Lobbyist
13    Registration Act, the Public Officers Prohibited
14    Activities Act, and Article 50 of the Illinois Procurement
15    Code;
16        (2) Review best practices concerning governmental
17    ethics from local governments and other states;
18        (3) Seek input from experts and the general public
19    concerning proposals to improve governmental ethics; and
20        (4) Make recommendations for changes to the State
21    Officials and Employees Ethics Act, the Illinois
22    Governmental Ethics Act, the Lobbyist Registration Act,
23    the Public Officers Prohibited Activities Act, and Article
24    50 of the Illinois Procurement Code to improve public trust

 

 

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1    in government; and be it further
 
2    RESOLVED, That the Joint Commission shall consist of the
3following members:
4        (1) 2 members of the General Assembly appointed by the
5    Speaker of the House of Representatives;
6        (2) 2 members of the General Assembly appointed by the
7    President of the Senate;
8        (3) 2 members of the General Assembly appointed by the
9    Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;
10        (4) 2 members of the General Assembly appointed by the
11    Minority Leader of the Senate;
12        (5) 2 members from the Office of the Attorney General
13    appointed by the Attorney General;
14        (6) 2 members from the Office of the Secretary of State
15    appointed by the Secretary of State; and
16        (7) 4 members appointed by the Governor, with no more
17    than 2 of the appointments from the same political party;
18    and be it further
 
19    RESOLVED, That no member of the Joint Commission shall be
20or have been registered to lobby State government in Illinois
21during his or her service on the Joint Commission or at any
22time during the five years prior to the effective date of this
23resolution; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That Joint Commission members shall serve
2without compensation; and be it further
 
3    RESOLVED, That the Speaker of the House and President of
4the Senate shall each designate one of the members of the Joint
5Commission as a co-chair and shall designate members of their
6staffs to provide administrative support for the Joint
7Commission as necessary; and be it further
 
8    RESOLVED, That the Joint Commission shall hold public
9hearings at the call of the co-chairs in accordance with the
10Open Meetings Act; and be it further
 
11    RESOLVED, That the Joint Commission may issue periodic
12reports on its activities and shall issue a final report on its
13review and recommendations by March 31, 2020 to the General
14Assembly, the Governor, the Attorney General, the Treasurer,
15the Comptroller, and the Secretary of State.