Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for SB0461

Creates the State Services Accountability Act. Provides that certain contractors and grantees with State contracts or grants or with contracts to perform public works shall certify that: they will not use State funds to promote, assist, or deter union organizing or to influence the decision of any of their employees to be represented or not represented by a labor organization; they will not require or prohibit the attendance of employees at a meeting related to union representation; they will not schedule or hold meetings related to union representation during an employee's work time or in work areas; and they will allow a labor organization the same opportunity to communicate with employees as is used by the contractor or the grantee. Provides that a labor organization may file a complaint with the Attorney General if it believes that a contractor or grantee is expending funds in violation of this Act and that the Attorney General shall then notify the contractor or grantee that it must provide an accounting with specified information. Provides for enforcement of the Act. Effective immediately.

Deletes language in the introduced bill regarding the reporting of violations. Adds language requiring a contractor or grantee who is subject to the Act and who makes expenditures to assist, promote, or deter union organizing to maintain records sufficient to show that no State funds were used for those expenditures. Provides that: a taxpayer, employee, or employee representative may file a complaint with the Attorney General if the person believes that a contractor or grantee is expending funds in violation of the Act; the Attorney General shall notify the contractor or grantee that the contractor or grantee must provide the records described above; the contractor or grantee shall provide the records to the Attorney General within 15 business days unless the Attorney General gives an extension of time based upon a showing of good cause; and, if the Attorney General determines that the contractor or grantee has expended funds in violation of the Act, the Attorney General shall make the records available to the complainant. Also makes changes regarding the legislative findings and declaration of policy and certification requirements.

Makes technical changes.

Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to make a contractor responsible for the actions of a subcontractor. Makes changes in findings and definitions.

Provides that the State Services Accountability Act is intended solely as a limitation on the permissible uses of State appropriations. Provides that it is not intended to expand, limit, or in any manner affect existing rights or duties of employers, employees, or labor organizations under the National Labor Relations Act or other federal law affecting labor relations. Defines "Department" and "State agency". Establishes a rebuttable presumption that the contractor or grantee has not used State funds to assist, promote, or deter union organization. Makes changes to the policy requirements. Provides that if a private party commences a civil action under this Section that the court deems frivolous, the court shall dismiss the action and may assess court costs and attorney's fees against the plaintiff. Removes references to goods. Makes other changes. Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that information concerning complaints filed under the State Services Accountability Act is exempt from inspection and copying.

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