HB2986 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB097 10550 KMW 50893 b

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB2986

Introduced 2/23/2011, by Rep. Patrick J. Verschoore

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

50 ILCS 135/12

Amends the Local Governmental Employees Political Rights Act. Provides that a member of any police department or Sheriff's department (as well as a member of any fire department or fire protection district) may be a candidate for or appointed to any public office. Further provides that a police officer or Sheriff's deputy (as well as a firefighter) who is elected to the Illinois General Assembly shall be granted a leave of absence from his or her employer without compensation during his or her term of office. Effective immediately.

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 Local Governmental Employees Political Rights Act is amended by changing Section 12 as follows:

(50 ILCS 135/12)

Sec. 12. Elective and appointed office.

(a) A member of any fire department, police department, Sheriff's department, or fire protection district may:

(1) be a candidate for elective public office and serve in that public office if elected;

(2) be appointed to any public office and serve in that public office if appointed; and

(3) as long as the member is not in uniform and not on duty, solicit votes and campaign funds and challenge voters for the public office for which the member is a candidate.

(b) A firefighter, police officer, or Sheriff's deputy who is elected to the Illinois General Assembly shall, upon written application to the employer, be granted a leave of absence without compensation during his or her term of office.

(Source: P.A. 94-316, eff. 7-25-05; 95-142, eff. 8-13-07.)

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