SB0914eng 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB0914 Engrossed LRB099 05504 AWJ 25540 b

AN ACT concerning local government.

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

Section 5. The Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act is amended by adding Section 5 as follows:

(50 ILCS 105/5 new)

Sec. 5. Ban on promotional materials.

(a) This Section applies to all units of local government, local officials, school districts, and public institutions of higher education, as that term is defined under Section 2 of the Higher Education Cooperation Act, which includes community colleges. This Section also applies to all employees of a unit of local government, a local official, school district, or public institution of higher education, and persons or contractors working on behalf of a unit of local government, a local official, school district, or public institution of higher education.

(b) No person or entity to which this Section applies shall use public moneys to send any promotional materials to residents, except those directly related to course offerings, programs of study, or certificate or degree programs, including information regarding tuition and expenses, during the following periods:

(1) For units of local government with offices elected at the consolidated election, during a period beginning January 1 through the day after the consolidated election.

(2) For all other units of local government, during a period beginning February 1 of the year of a general primary election and ending the day after the general primary election and during a period beginning September 1 of the year of a general election and ending the day after the general election.

(c) The restrictions imposed under this Section do not apply to bills, schedules of events, or course-related materials, including financial aid.

(d) Any person who violates this Section is subject to the penalties set forth in Section 4 of this Act, including termination of employment.