HB4379 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB099 15813 AWJ 40122 b

99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
HB4379

Introduced , by Rep. David McSweeney

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Local Government Travel Expense Control Act. Provides that school districts and non-home rule units of local government shall, by resolution or ordinance, regulate travel, meal, and lodging expenses of officers and employees including: (1) the types of official business for which travel, meal, and lodging expenses are allowable; (2) maximum allowable reimbursement for travel, meal, and lodging expenses; and (3) a standardized form for submission of travel, meal, and lodging expenses. Provides that all travel, meal, and lodging expenses may only be approved after specified documentation has been submitted and the expenses are approved by a roll call vote. Prohibits reimbursing entertainment expenses.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

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 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Local Government Travel Expense Control Act.

Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Entertainment" includes, but is not limited to, exhibitions, shows, amusements, theaters, circuses, sporting events, or any other place of public or private entertainment or amusement.

"Travel" means any expenditure directly incident to official travel by employees and officers of a school district or unit of local government or by wards or charges of a school district or unit of local government involving reimbursement to travelers or direct payment to private agencies providing transportation or related services.

Section 10. Regulation of travel expenses. All school districts and units of local government other than home rule units shall, by resolution or ordinance, regulate the reimbursement of all travel, meal, and lodging expenses of officers and employees, including, but not limited to: (1) the types of official business for which travel, meal, and lodging expenses are allowed; (2) maximum allowable reimbursement for travel, meal, and lodging expenses; and (3) a standardized form for submission of travel, meal, and lodging expenses supported by the minimum documentation required under Section 20 of this Act. The regulations may allow for approval of expenses that exceed the maximum allowable travel, meal, or lodging expenses because of emergency or other extraordinary circumstances. On and after 180 days after the effective date of this Act of the 99th General Assembly, no travel, meal, or lodging expense shall be approved or paid by a school district or unit of local government unless regulations have been adopted under this Section.

Section 15. Approval of expenses. On or after 60 days after the effective date of this Act of the 99th General Assembly, expenses for travel, meals, and lodging may only be approved by the board of a school district or the corporate authorities of a unit of local government by roll call vote at an open meeting.

Section 20. Documentation of expenses. Before an expense for travel, meals, or lodging may be approved under Section 15 of this Act, the following minimum documentation must first be submitted, in writing, to the school board or corporate authorities:

(1) an estimate of the cost of travel, meals, or lodging if expenses have not been incurred or a receipt of the cost of the travel, meals, or lodging if the expenses have already been incurred;

(2) the name of the individual employee or officer who received or is requesting the travel, meal, or lodging expense;

(3) the job title or office of the employee or officer who received or is requesting the travel, meal, or lodging expense; and

(4) the date or dates and nature of the official business in which the travel, meal, or lodging expense was or will be expended. All documents and information submitted under this Section are public records subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.

Section 25. Entertainment expenses. No school district or unit of local government may reimburse any employee or officer for any entertainment expense.