5 ILCS 420/ Illinois Governmental Ethics Act.

Updating the database of the Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) is an ongoing process. Recent laws may not yet be included in the ILCS database, but they are found on this site as Public Acts soon after they become law. For information concerning the relationship between statutes and Public Acts, refer to the Guide.

Because the statute database is maintained primarily for legislative drafting purposes, statutory changes are sometimes included in the statute database before they take effect. If the source note at the end of a Section of the statutes includes a Public Act that has not yet taken effect, the version of the law that is currently in effect may have already been removed from the database and you should refer to that Public Act to see the changes made to the current law.

5 ILCS 420/Art. 3 Pt. 2

(5 ILCS 420/Art. 3 Pt. 2 heading) PART 2.

ETHICAL PRINCIPLES FOR LEGISLATORS

5 ILCS 420/3-201

(5 ILCS 420/3-201) (from Ch. 127, par. 603-201)

Sec. 3-201.

Where feasible, and taking into account the fact that
legislative service is part-time, a legislator should avoid accepting or
retaining an economic opportunity which presents a substantial threat to
his independence of judgment.

(Source: Laws 1967, p. 3401.)

5 ILCS 420/3-202

(5 ILCS 420/3-202) (from Ch. 127, par. 603-202)

Sec. 3-202.

When a legislator must take official action on a legislative
matter as to which he has a conflict situation created by a personal,
family, or client legislative interest, he should consider the possibility
of eliminating the interest creating the conflict situation. If that is not
feasible, he should consider the possibility of abstaining from such
official action. In making his decision as to abstention, the following
factors should be considered:

a. whether a substantial threat to his independence

of judgment has been created by the conflict situation;

b. the effect of his participation on public

confidence in the integrity of the legislature;

c. whether his participation is likely to have any

significant effect on the disposition of the matter;

d. the need for his particular contribution, such as

special knowledge of the subject matter, to the effective functioning of the legislature.

He need not abstain if he decides to participate in a manner contrary to
the economic interest which creates the conflict situation.

If he does abstain, he should disclose that fact to his respective
legislative body.

(Source: P.A. 100-201, eff. 8-18-17.)

5 ILCS 420/3-203

(5 ILCS 420/3-203) (from Ch. 127, par. 603-203)

Sec. 3-203.

When, despite the existence of a conflict situation, a
legislator chooses to take official action on a matter, he should serve the
public interest, and not the interest of any person.

(Source: Laws 1967, p. 3401.)

5 ILCS 420/3-204

(5 ILCS 420/3-204) (from Ch. 127, par. 603-204)

Sec. 3-204.

No legislator should accept a representation case unless he
believes there is merit to the position he is asked to represent.

(Source: Laws 1967, p. 3401.)

5 ILCS 420/3-205

(5 ILCS 420/3-205) (from Ch. 127, par. 603-205)

Sec. 3-205.

A legislator participating in a representation case shall,
wherever feasible, arrange for other persons to make appearances before the
State agency.

(Source: Laws 1967, p. 3401.)

5 ILCS 420/3-206

(5 ILCS 420/3-206) (from Ch. 127, par. 603-206)

Sec. 3-206.

Sections 3-201 through 3-205 are intended only as guides to legislator
conduct, and not as rules meant to be enforced by disciplinary action.

(Source: P.A. 77-1806.)