Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB0138

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the State Officials and Employee Ethics Act. Provides that each Executive Inspector General shall file monthly reports concerning specified violations of the Act. Provides that the jurisdiction of the Act includes current and former officers, members, and employees. Requires the Executive Inspector General: to post certain information on his or her website regarding the legal limitations on the Executive Inspector General's ability to provide information to them; and to notify complainants and subjects of an investigation when an investigation is opened and closed, as well as parameters for contact with each other and witnesses during an open investigation. Adds provisions concerning the procedure for when a member of the Legislative Ethics Commission recuses himself or herself. Provides that the Legislative Inspector General shall file monthly reports concerning specified violations of the Act. Provides that within 7 days of the Office becoming vacant or a Legislative Inspector General's resignation becoming effective, the vacancy shall be publicly posted on the Legislative Ethics Commission's website, along with a description of the requirements for the position and where applicants may apply. Provides that within 45 days of a vacancy (rather than if the office is vacant, or if a Legislative Inspector General resigns), the Legislative Ethics Commission shall designate an Acting Inspector General. Provides that it is a duty of every officer and employee under the Legislative Ethics Commission to cooperate with the Attorney General in any investigation undertaken under the Act. Provides that the rules governing the powers and investigations of the Legislative Inspector General shall be available on the Legislative Ethics Commission's website and any proposed changes to the rules must be made available to the public on the Commission's website no less than 7 days before the adoption of the changes. Provides that the public shall be given an opportunity to provide testimony before the Legislative Ethics Commission concerning proposed rules. Requires the Legislative Ethics Commission to appoint an Acting Legislative Inspector General in the event of a vacancy in the Office of the Legislative Inspector General. Adds to the violations of the Lobbyist Registration Act for which a fine of up to $5,000 may be levied. Provides that the Executive Ethics Commission, after the adjudication of a violation regarding sexual harassment under the Lobbyist Registration Act, is authorized to strike or suspend, for a period of up to 3 years, the registration of any registered lobbyist or lobbying entity for which that registered lobbyist is employed. Provides that the Executive Ethics Commission may levy an additional administrative fine of up to $5,000 for specified violations of the Lobbyist Registration Act. Makes other changes. Amends the Election Code. Provides that every political committee of an established political party shall establish and maintain a policy that includes, at a minimum: (i) a prohibition on discrimination and harassment; (ii) details on how an individual can report an allegation of discrimination or harassment; (iii) a prohibition on retaliation for reporting discrimination or harassment allegations; and (iv) the consequences of a violation of the prohibition on sexual harassment and the consequences for knowingly making a false report. Makes other changes. Amends the Secretary of State Act. Authorizes the Secretary of State Inspector General to file pleadings with the Executive Ethics Commission, through the Attorney General, if the Attorney General finds that reasonable cause exists to believe that a violation regarding acts of sexual harassment by a lobbyist occurred. Provides that failure to cooperate in an investigation initiated by the Secretary of State Inspector General, or a finding by the Inspector General of a violation regarding sexual harassment, shall give the Secretary of State discretion to temporarily suspend or terminate any registered lobbyist or lobbying entity for which that registered lobbyist is employed. Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act. Provides that failure to cooperate in an investigation initiated by the Secretary of State Inspector General is a separate and punishable offense for which the Secretary of State Inspector General, through the Attorney General, shall file pleadings with the Executive Ethics Commission. Amends the Human Rights Act. Provides that it is a civil rights violation for an employer to fail to post or keep posted a specified notice that includes the right to be free from sexual harassment under the Act. Extends the statute of limitations for filing complaints under the Act to within 300 calendar days (currently, 180 days) after the alleged violation. Makes other changes. Amends the Legislative Information System Act. Provides that the System shall establish a page for electronic public access to information regarding discrimination and harassment through the General Assembly's website. Effective immediately.

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