093_HB2787

 
                                     LRB093 07596 JAM 07775 b

 1        AN ACT concerning push-polling.

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

 4        Section  5.  The  Election  Code  is  amended  by  adding
 5    Section 29-14.5 as follows:

 6        (10 ILCS 5/29-14.5 new)
 7        Sec. 29-14.5.  Push-polling.
 8        (a) Any person engaging in push-polling must  (i)  inform
 9    the  person  contacted  that the call is being made on behalf
10    of, in support of, or in opposition to a particular candidate
11    or public question, (ii) identify that candidate by  name  or
12    identify the public question, and (iii) provide the telephone
13    number of the place from which the push-polling is conducted.
14        (b)  The  State  Board  of  Elections  may impose a civil
15    penalty of $10,000 upon any person, other than a  person  who
16    is  merely  an  employee of the person or entity who has been
17    contracted with to conduct  the  push-polling,  who  violates
18    this Section.
19        (c)  For  the  purposes  of  this Section, "push-polling"
20    means (i) calling voters on behalf of, in support of,  or  in
21    opposition  to  any  candidate  or public question for public
22    office or public question; (ii) asking questions relating  to
23    opposing candidates for that public office that state, imply,
24    or   convey   information   about  the  opposing  candidates'
25    character, status, or political stance or  record  or  asking
26    questions  relating to the public question that state, imply,
27    or convey information favorable or unfavorable to the  public
28    question;  and  (iii) conducting the call in a manner that is
29    likely to be construed by the person receiving the call to be
30    a survey or poll to gather statistical data for  entities  or
31    organizations  that are acting independently of any political
 
                            -2-      LRB093 07596 JAM 07775 b
 1    party, candidate, or interest group.