30 ILCS 500/ Illinois Procurement Code.

(30 ILCS 500/45-57)

Sec. 45-57. Veterans.

(a) Set-aside goal. It is the goal of the State to promote and encourage the continued economic development of small businesses owned and controlled by qualified veterans and that qualified service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (referred to as SDVOSB) and veteran-owned small businesses (referred to as VOSB) participate in the State's procurement process as both prime contractors and subcontractors. Not less than 3% of the total dollar amount of State contracts, as defined by the Commission on Equity and Inclusion, shall be established as a goal to be awarded to SDVOSB and VOSB. That portion of a contract under which the contractor subcontracts with a SDVOSB or VOSB may be counted toward the goal of this subsection. The Commission on Equity and Inclusion shall adopt rules to implement compliance with this subsection by all State agencies.

(b) Fiscal year reports. By each November 1, each chief procurement officer shall report to the Commission on Equity and Inclusion on all of the following for the immediately preceding fiscal year, and by each March 1 the Commission on Equity and Inclusion shall compile and report that information to the General Assembly:

(1) The total number of VOSB, and the number of SDVOSB, who submitted bids for contracts under this Code.

(2) The total number of VOSB, and the number of SDVOSB, who entered into contracts with the State under this Code and the total value of those contracts.

(b-5) The Commission on Equity and Inclusion shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly that shall include the following:

(1) a year-by-year comparison of the number of certifications the State has issued to veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses;

(2) the obstacles, if any, the Commission on Equity and Inclusion faces when certifying veteran-owned businesses and possible rules or changes to rules to address those issues;

(3) a year-by-year comparison of awarded contracts to certified veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses; and

(4) any other information that the Commission on Equity and Inclusion deems necessary to assist veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses to become certified with the State.

The Commission on Equity and Inclusion shall conduct a minimum of 2 outreach events per year to ensure that veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses know about the procurement opportunities and certification requirements with the State. The Commission on Equity and Inclusion may receive appropriations for outreach.

(c) Yearly review and recommendations. Each year, each chief procurement officer shall review the progress of all State agencies under its jurisdiction in meeting the goal described in subsection (a), with input from statewide veterans' service organizations and from the business community, including businesses owned by qualified veterans, and shall make recommendations to be included in the Commission on Equity and Inclusion's report to the General Assembly regarding continuation, increases, or decreases of the percentage goal. The recommendations shall be based upon the number of businesses that are owned by qualified veterans and on the continued need to encourage and promote businesses owned by qualified veterans.

(d) Governor's recommendations. To assist the State in reaching the goal described in subsection (a), the Governor shall recommend to the General Assembly changes in programs to assist businesses owned by qualified veterans.

(e) Definitions. As used in this Section:

"Armed forces of the United States" means the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or service in active duty as defined under 38 U.S.C. Section 101. Service in the Merchant Marine that constitutes active duty under Section 401 of federal Public Act 95-202 shall also be considered service in the armed forces for purposes of this Section.

"Certification" means a determination made by the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Commission on Equity and Inclusion that a business entity is a qualified service-disabled veteran-owned small business or a qualified veteran-owned small business for whatever purpose. A SDVOSB or VOSB owned and controlled by women, minorities, or persons with disabilities, as those terms are defined in Section 2 of the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act, may also select and designate whether that business is to be certified as a "women-owned business", "minority-owned business", or "business owned by a person with a disability", as defined in Section 2 of the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act.

"Control" means the exclusive, ultimate, majority, or sole control of the business, including but not limited to capital investment and all other financial matters, property, acquisitions, contract negotiations, legal matters, officer-director-employee selection and comprehensive hiring, operation responsibilities, cost-control matters, income and dividend matters, financial transactions, and rights of other shareholders or joint partners. Control shall be real, substantial, and continuing, not pro forma. Control shall include the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the business and to make the day-to-day as well as major decisions in matters of policy, management, and operations. Control shall be exemplified by possessing the requisite knowledge and expertise to run the particular business, and control shall not include simple majority or absentee ownership.

"Qualified service-disabled veteran" means a veteran who has been found to have 10% or more service-connected disability by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Department of Defense.

"Qualified service-disabled veteran-owned small business" or "SDVOSB" means a small business (i) that is at least 51% owned by one or more qualified service-disabled veterans living in Illinois or, in the case of a corporation, at least 51% of the stock of which is owned by one or more qualified service-disabled veterans living in Illinois; (ii) that has its home office in Illinois; and (iii) for which items (i) and (ii) are factually verified annually by the Commission on Equity and Inclusion.

"Qualified veteran-owned small business" or "VOSB" means a small business (i) that is at least 51% owned by one or more qualified veterans living in Illinois or, in the case of a corporation, at least 51% of the stock of which is owned by one or more qualified veterans living in Illinois; (ii) that has its home office in Illinois; and (iii) for which items (i) and (ii) are factually verified annually by the Commission on Equity and Inclusion.

"Service-connected disability" means a disability incurred in the line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service as described in 38 U.S.C. 101(16).

"Small business" means a business that has annual gross sales of less than $150,000,000 as evidenced by the federal income tax return of the business. A firm with gross sales in excess of this cap may apply to the Commission on Equity and Inclusion for certification for a particular contract if the firm can demonstrate that the contract would have significant impact on SDVOSB or VOSB as suppliers or subcontractors or in employment of veterans or service-disabled veterans.

"State agency" has the meaning provided in Section 1-15.100 of this Code.

"Time of hostilities with a foreign country" means any period of time in the past, present, or future during which a declaration of war by the United States Congress has been or is in effect or during which an emergency condition has been or is in effect that is recognized by the issuance of a Presidential proclamation or a Presidential executive order and in which the armed forces expeditionary medal or other campaign service medals are awarded according to Presidential executive order.

"Veteran" means a person who (i) has been a member of the armed forces of the United States or, while a citizen of the United States, was a member of the armed forces of allies of the United States in time of hostilities with a foreign country and (ii) has served under one or more of the following conditions: (a) the veteran served a total of at least 6 months; (b) the veteran served for the duration of hostilities regardless of the length of the engagement; (c) the veteran was discharged on the basis of hardship; or (d) the veteran was released from active duty because of a service connected disability and was discharged under honorable conditions.

(f) Certification program. The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Commission on Equity and Inclusion shall work together to devise a certification procedure to assure that businesses taking advantage of this Section are legitimately classified as qualified service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses or qualified veteran-owned small businesses.

The Commission on Equity and Inclusion shall:

(1) compile and maintain a comprehensive list of certified veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses;

(2) assist veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses in complying with the procedures for bidding on State contracts;

(3) provide training for State agencies regarding the goal setting process and compliance with veteran-owned small business and service-disabled veteran-owned small business goals; and

(4) implement and maintain an electronic portal on the Commission on Equity and Inclusion's website for the purpose of completing and submitting veteran-owned small business and service-disabled veteran-owned small business certificates.

The Commission on Equity and Inclusion, in consultation with the Department of Veterans' Affairs, may develop programs and agreements to encourage cities, counties, towns, townships, and other certifying entities to adopt uniform certification procedures and certification recognition programs.

(f-5) A business shall be certified by the Commission on Equity and Inclusion as a service-disabled veteran-owned small business or a veteran-owned small business for purposes of this Section if the Commission on Equity and Inclusion determines that the business has been certified as a service-disabled veteran-owned small business or a veteran-owned small business by the Vets First Verification Program of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and the business has provided to the Commission on Equity and Inclusion the following:

(1) documentation showing certification as a service-disabled veteran-owned small business or a veteran-owned small business by the Vets First Verification Program of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs;

(2) proof that the business has its home office in Illinois; and

(3) proof that the qualified veterans or qualified service-disabled veterans live in the State of Illinois.

The policies of the Commission on Equity and Inclusion regarding recognition of the Vets First Verification Program of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs shall be reviewed annually by the Commission on Equity and Inclusion, and recognition of service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and veteran-owned small businesses certified by the Vets First Verification Program of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs may be discontinued by the Commission on Equity and Inclusion by rule upon a finding that the certification standards of the Vets First Verification Program of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs do not meet the certification requirements established by the Commission on Equity and Inclusion.

(g) Penalties.

(1) Administrative penalties. The chief procurement officers appointed pursuant to Section 10-20 shall suspend any person who commits a violation of Section 17-10.3 or subsection (d) of Section 33E-6 of the Criminal Code of 2012 relating to this Section from bidding on, or participating as a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier in, any State contract or project for a period of not less than 3 years, and, if the person is certified as a service-disabled veteran-owned small business or a veteran-owned small business, then the Commission on Equity and Inclusion shall revoke the business's certification for a period of not less than 3 years. An additional or subsequent violation shall extend the periods of suspension and revocation for a period of not less than 5 years. The suspension and revocation shall apply to the principals of the business and any subsequent business formed or financed by, or affiliated with, those principals.

(2) Reports of violations. Each State agency shall report any alleged violation of Section 17-10.3 or subsection (d) of Section 33E-6 of the Criminal Code of 2012 relating to this Section to the chief procurement officers appointed pursuant to Section 10-20. The chief procurement officers appointed pursuant to Section 10-20 shall subsequently report all such alleged violations to the Attorney General, who shall determine whether to bring a civil action against any person for the violation.

(3) List of suspended persons. The chief procurement officers appointed pursuant to Section 10-20 shall monitor the status of all reported violations of Section 17-10.3 or subsection (d) of Section 33E-6 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 relating to this Section and shall maintain and make available to all State agencies a central listing of all persons that committed violations resulting in suspension.

(4) Use of suspended persons. During the period of a person's suspension under paragraph (1) of this subsection, a State agency shall not enter into any contract with that person or with any contractor using the services of that person as a subcontractor.

(5) Duty to check list. Each State agency shall check the central listing provided by the chief procurement officers appointed pursuant to Section 10-20 under paragraph (3) of this subsection to verify that a person being awarded a contract by that State agency, or to be used as a subcontractor or supplier on a contract being awarded by that State agency, is not under suspension pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(h) On and after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly, all powers, duties, rights, and responsibilities of the Department of Central Management Services with respect to the requirements of this Section are transferred to the Commission on Equity and Inclusion.

All books, records, papers, documents, property (real and personal), contracts, causes of action, and pending business pertaining to the powers, duties, rights, and responsibilities transferred by this amendatory Act from the Department of Central Management Services to the Commission on Equity and Inclusion, including, but not limited to, material in electronic or magnetic format and necessary computer hardware and software, shall be transferred to the Commission on Equity and Inclusion.

The powers, duties, rights, and responsibilities transferred from the Department of Central Management Services by this amendatory Act shall be vested in and shall be exercised by the Commission on Equity and Inclusion.

Whenever reports or notices are now required to be made or given or papers or documents furnished or served by any person to or upon the Department of Central Management Services in connection with any of the powers, duties, rights, and responsibilities transferred by this amendatory Act, the same shall be made, given, furnished, or served in the same manner to or upon the Commission on Equity and Inclusion.

This amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly does not affect any act done, ratified, or canceled or any right occurring or established or any action or proceeding had or commenced in an administrative, civil, or criminal cause by the Department of Central Management Services before this amendatory Act takes effect; such actions or proceedings may be prosecuted and continued by the Commission on Equity and Inclusion.

Any rules of the Department of Central Management Services that relate to its powers, duties, rights, and responsibilities under this Section and are in full force on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly shall become the rules of the Commission on Equity and Inclusion. This amendatory Act does not affect the legality of any such rules in the Illinois Administrative Code. Any proposed rules filed with the Secretary of State by the Department of Central Management Services that are pending in the rulemaking process on the effective date of this amendatory Act and pertain to the powers, duties, rights, and responsibilities transferred, shall be deemed to have been filed by the Commission on Equity and Inclusion. As soon as practicable hereafter, the Commission on Equity and Inclusion shall revise and clarify the rules transferred to it under this amendatory Act to reflect the reorganization of powers, duties, rights, and responsibilities affected by this amendatory Act, using the procedures for recodification of rules available under the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, except that existing title, part, and section numbering for the affected rules may be retained. The Commission on Equity and Inclusion may propose and adopt under the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act such other rules of the Department of Central Management Services that will now be administered by the Commission on Equity and Inclusion.

(Source: P.A. 102-166, eff. 7-26-21; 102-671, eff. 11-30-21; 103-570, eff. 1-1-24.)

(30 ILCS 500/45-60)

Sec. 45-60. Vehicles powered by agricultural commodity-based fuel. In awarding contracts requiring the procurement of vehicles, preference may be given to an otherwise qualified bidder or offeror who will fulfill the contract through the use of vehicles powered by ethanol produced from Illinois corn or biodiesel fuels produced from Illinois soybeans.

(Source: P.A. 90-572, eff. date - See Sec. 99-5.)

(30 ILCS 500/45-65)

Sec. 45-65. Additional preferences. This Code is subject to applicable provisions of:

(1) the Public Purchases in Other States Act;

(2) the Illinois Mined Coal Act;

(3) the Steel Products Procurement Act;

(4) the Veterans Preference Act;

(5) the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act; and

(6) the Procurement of Domestic Products Act.

(Source: P.A. 100-391, eff. 8-25-17.)

(30 ILCS 500/45-67)

Sec. 45-67. Encouragement to hire qualified veterans. A chief procurement officer may, as part of any solicitation, encourage potential contractors to consider hiring qualified veterans and to notify them of any available financial incentives or other advantages associated with hiring such persons. In establishing internal guidelines in furtherance of this Section, the Department of Central Management Services may work with an interagency advisory committee consisting of representatives from the Department of Veterans' Affairs, the Department of Employment Security, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Department of Revenue and consisting of 8 members of the General Assembly, 2 of whom are appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 2 of whom are appointed by the President of the Senate, 2 of whom are appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, and 2 of whom are appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

For the purposes of this Section, "qualified veteran" means an Illinois resident who: (i) was a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, a member of the Illinois National Guard, or a member of any reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States; (ii) served on active duty in connection with Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, or Operation Iraqi Freedom; and (iii) was honorably discharged.

The Department of Central Management Services must report to the Governor and to the General Assembly by December 31 of each year on the activities undertaken by chief procurement officers and the Department of Central Management Services to encourage potential contractors to consider hiring qualified veterans. The report must include the number of vendors who have hired qualified veterans.

(Source: P.A. 100-143, eff. 1-1-18; 100-201, eff. 8-18-17.)

(30 ILCS 500/45-70)

Sec. 45-70. Encouragement to hire ex-offenders. A chief procurement officer may, as part of any solicitation, encourage potential contractors to consider hiring Illinois residents discharged from any Illinois adult correctional center, in appropriate circumstances, and to notify them of any available financial incentives or other advantages associated with hiring such persons. In establishing internal guidelines in furtherance of this Section, the Department of Central Management Services may work with an interagency advisory committee consisting of representatives from the Department of Corrections, the Department of Employment Security, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Department of Revenue and consisting of 8 members of the General Assembly, 2 of whom are appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 2 of whom are appointed by the President of the Senate, 2 of whom are appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, and 2 of whom are appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

The Department of Central Management Services must report to the Governor and to the General Assembly by December 31 of each year on the activities undertaken by chief procurement officers and the Department of Central Management Services to encourage potential contractors to consider hiring Illinois residents who have been discharged from an Illinois adult correctional center. The report must include the number of vendors who have hired Illinois residents who have been discharged from any Illinois adult correctional center.

(Source: P.A. 98-1076, eff. 1-1-15.)

(30 ILCS 500/45-75)

Sec. 45-75. Biobased products. When a State contract is to be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, an otherwise qualified bidder who will fulfill the contract through the use of biobased products may be given preference over other bidders unable to do so, provided that the cost included in the bid of biobased products is not more than 5% greater than the cost of products that are not biobased.

For the purpose of this Section, a biobased product is defined as in the federal Biobased Products Preferred Procurement Program.

This Section does not apply to contracts for construction projects awarded by the Capital Development Board or the Department of Transportation.

(Source: P.A. 95-71, eff. 1-1-08; 95-876, eff. 8-21-08.)

(30 ILCS 500/45-80)

Sec. 45-80. Historic area preference. State agencies with responsibilities for leasing, acquiring, or maintaining State facilities shall take all reasonable steps to minimize any regulations, policies, and procedures that impede the goals of Section 17 of the Capital Development Board Act.

(Source: P.A. 95-101, eff. 8-13-07; 95-876, eff. 8-21-08.)

(30 ILCS 500/45-90)

Sec. 45-90. Small business contracts.

(a) Not less than 10% of the total dollar amount of State contracts shall be established as a goal to be awarded as a contract or subcontract to small businesses.

(b) The percentage in subsection (a) relates to the total dollar amount of State contracts during each State fiscal year, calculated by examining independently each type of contract for each State official or agency which lets such contracts.

(c) Each State agency shall file with its chief procurement officer an annual compliance plan which shall outline the goals for contracting with small businesses for the then-current fiscal year, the manner in which the agency intends to reach these goals, and a timetable for reaching these goals. The chief procurement officer shall review and approve the plan of the agency and may reject any plan that does not comply with this Section.

(d) Each State agency shall file with its chief procurement officer an annual report of its utilization of small businesses during the preceding fiscal year, including lapse period spending and a mid-fiscal year report of its utilization to date for the then-current fiscal year. The reports shall include a self-evaluation of the efforts of the State official or agency to meet its goals.

(e) The chief procurement officers shall make public presentations, at least once a year, directed at providing information to small businesses about the contracting process and how to apply for contracts or subcontracts.

(f) Each chief procurement officer shall file, no later than November 1 of each year, an annual report with the Governor and the General Assembly that shall include, but need not be limited to, the following:

(1) a summary of the number of contracts awarded and the average contract amount by each State official or agency; and

(2) an analysis of the level of overall goal achievement concerning purchases from small businesses.

(g) Each chief procurement officer may adopt rules to implement and administer this Section.

(Source: P.A. 100-43, eff. 8-9-17.)

(30 ILCS 500/45-95)

Sec. 45-95. HUBZone business contracts.

(a) For the purposes of this Section:

"HUBZone business" means a business that operates and employs people in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) as designated by the federal HUBZone Empowerment Act.

"Qualified HUBZone small business concern" means a business that qualifies under the HUBZone program administered by the United States Small Business Administration.

(b) Each chief procurement officer shall establish rules, in consultation with the procuring agency, related to the eligibility of qualified HUBZone small business concerns to receive preference under this Section, and shall verify the accuracy of any information submitted by a qualified HUBZone small business concern with respect to a contract awarded under this Section.

(c) The provisions of this Section shall not apply to: (1) construction procurements; (2) construction-related services procurements; or (3) the selection of construction-related professional services.

(Source: P.A. 100-881, eff. 1-1-19.)

(30 ILCS 500/45-100)

Sec. 45-100. Electric vehicles. For purposes of this Section, "electric vehicle" means a vehicle that is exclusively powered by and refueled by electricity, must be plugged in to charge or utilize a pre-charged battery, and is permitted to operate on public roadways. "Electric vehicle" does not include hybrid electric vehicles and extended-range electric vehicles that are also equipped with conventional fueled propulsion or auxiliary engines. For purposes of this section, "Manufactured in Illinois" means, in the case of electric vehicles, that design, final assembly, processing, packaging, testing, or other process that adds value, quality, or reliability occurs in Illinois.

In awarding contracts requiring the procurement of electric vehicles, preference shall be given to an otherwise qualified bidder or offeror who will fulfill the contract through the use of electric vehicles manufactured in Illinois. Specifications for contracts for electric vehicles shall include a price preference of 20% for electric vehicles manufactured in Illinois. The purchasing agency may require additional information from bidders or offerors to verify whether an electric vehicle is manufactured in Illinois as defined by this Section.

(Source: P.A. 102-669, eff. 11-16-21.)

(30 ILCS 500/45-105)

Sec. 45-105. Bid preference for Illinois businesses.

(a) (Blank).

(b) It is hereby declared to be the public policy of the State of Illinois to promote the economy of Illinois through the use of Illinois businesses for all State construction contracts.

(c) Construction agencies procuring construction and construction-related professional services shall make reasonable efforts to contract with Illinois businesses.

(d) Beginning in 2022, each construction agency shall submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly by September 1 of each year that identifies the Illinois businesses procured by the construction agency, the primary location of the construction project, the percentage of the construction agency's utilization of Illinois businesses on the project as a whole, and the actions that the construction agency has undertaken to increase the use of Illinois businesses.

(e) In procuring construction and construction-related professional services for projects with a total value that exceeds the small purchase maximum established by Section 20-20 of this Code, construction agencies shall provide a bid preference to a responsive and responsible bidder that is an Illinois business as defined in this Section. The construction agency shall allocate to the lowest bid by an Illinois business that is responsible and responsive a bid preference of 4% of the contract base bid. This subsection applies only to projects where a business that is not an Illinois business submits a bid.

(f) This Section does not apply to any contract for any project for which federal funds are available for expenditure when its provisions may be in conflict with federal law or federal regulation.

(g) As used in this Section, "Illinois business" means a contractor that is operating and headquartered in Illinois and providing, at the time that an invitation for a bid or notice of contract opportunity is first advertised, construction or construction-related professional services, and is operating as:

(1) a sole proprietor whose primary residence is in Illinois;

(2) a business incorporated or organized as a domestic corporation under the Business Corporation Act of 1983;

(3) a business organized as a domestic partnership under the Uniform Partnership Act of 1997;

(4) a business organized as a domestic limited partnership under the Uniform Limited Partnership Act of 2001;

(5) a business organized under the Limited Liability Company Act; or

(6) a business organized under the Professional Limited Liability Company Act.

"Illinois business" does not include any subcontractors.

(Source: P.A. 102-721, eff. 1-1-23; 103-570, eff. 1-1-24.)

(30 ILCS 500/45-110)

Sec. 45-110. Former coal mining employees.

(a) In this Section:

"Abandoned mined land reclamation project" means construction or construction-related professional services that are used for reclamation projects awarded by the Department of Natural Resources under the Abandoned Mined Lands and Water Reclamation Act.

"Former coal mine employee" means an individual previously employed in any capacity by a coal mining company that engaged in the extraction of coal deposits or an individual previously employed in any capacity by a coal-fired power plant.

(b) In awarding contracts for Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation Projects with a total value of more than $100,000, preference shall be given to an otherwise qualified bidder who:

(1) provides proof that at least 2 current employees of the bidder are former coal mine employees and that all such declared former coal mine employees in the bid shall be used in the fulfillment of an awarded Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation Project; or

(2) commits to employing at least 2 former coal mine employees hired in fulfillment of the Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation Project. Under this paragraph (2), the bidder shall provide proof that at least 2 former coal mine employees have been hired within 60 days after the start of construction, and the bidder shall declare that the former coal mine employees, after being hired, shall be used in the fulfillment of an awarded Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation Project.

When the Department of Natural Resources is to award a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, an otherwise qualified bidder who will fulfill the contract through the use of former coal mine employees may be given preference over other bidders unable to do so, if the bid is not more than 2% greater than the low bid.

(c) This Section does not apply to any contract for any project for which federal funds are available for expenditure when its provisions may be in conflict with federal law or federal regulation.

(Source: P.A. 103-570, eff. 1-1-24.)

(30 ILCS 500/Art. 50 heading) ARTICLE 50 PROCUREMENT ETHICS AND DISCLOSURE

(30 ILCS 500/50-1)

Sec. 50-1. Purpose. It is the express duty of all chief procurement officers, State purchasing officers, and their designees to maximize the value of the expenditure of public moneys in procuring goods, services, and contracts for the State of Illinois and to act in a manner that maintains the integrity and public trust of State government. In discharging this duty, they are charged to use all available information, reasonable efforts, and reasonable actions to protect, safeguard, and maintain the procurement process of the State of Illinois.

(Source: P.A. 90-572, eff. 2-6-98.)

(30 ILCS 500/50-2)

Sec. 50-2. Continuing disclosure; false certification. Every person that has entered into a contract for more than one year in duration for the initial term or for any renewal term shall certify, by January 1 of each fiscal year covered by the contract after the initial fiscal year, to the chief procurement officer or, if the procurement is under the authority of a chief procurement officer, the applicable procurement officer of any changes that affect its ability to satisfy the requirements of this Article pertaining to eligibility for a contract award. If a contractor or subcontractor continues to meet all requirements of this Article, it shall not be required to submit any certification or if the work under the contract has been substantially completed before contract expiration but the contract has not yet expired. If a contractor or subcontractor is not able to truthfully certify that it continues to meet all requirements, it shall provide with its certification a detailed explanation of the circumstances leading to the change in certification status. A contractor or subcontractor that makes a false statement material to any given certification required under this Article is, in addition to any other penalties or consequences prescribed by law, subject to liability under the Illinois False Claims Act for submission of a false claim.

(Source: P.A. 100-43, eff. 8-9-17.)

(30 ILCS 500/50-5)

Sec. 50-5. Bribery.

(a) Prohibition. No person or business shall be awarded a contract or subcontract under this Code who:

(1) has been convicted under the laws of Illinois or any other state of bribery or attempting to bribe an officer or employee of the State of Illinois or any other state in that officer's or employee's official capacity; or

(2) has made an admission of guilt of that conduct that is a matter of record but has not been prosecuted for that conduct.

(b) Businesses. No business shall be barred from contracting with any unit of State or local government, or subcontracting under such a contract, as a result of a conviction under this Section of any employee or agent of the business if the employee or agent is no longer employed by the business and:

(1) the business has been finally adjudicated not guilty; or

(2) the business demonstrates to the governmental entity with which it seeks to contract or which is a signatory to the contract to which the subcontract relates, and that entity finds that the commission of the offense was not authorized, requested, commanded, or performed by a director, officer, or high managerial agent on behalf of the business as provided in paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of Section 5-4 of the Criminal Code of 2012.

(c) Conduct on behalf of business. For purposes of this Section, when an official, agent, or employee of a business committed the bribery or attempted bribery on behalf of the business and in accordance with the direction or authorization of a responsible official of the business, the business shall be chargeable with the conduct.

(d) Certification. Every bid or offer submitted to every contract executed by the State, every subcontract subject to Section 20-120 of this Code, and every vendor's submission to a vendor portal shall contain a certification by the bidder, offeror, potential contractor, contractor, or the subcontractor, respectively, that the bidder, offeror, potential contractor, contractor or subcontractor is not barred from being awarded a contract or subcontract under this Section and acknowledges that the chief procurement officer may declare the related contract void if any certifications required by this Section are false. If the false certification is made by a subcontractor, then the contractor's submitted bid or offer and the executed contract may not be declared void, unless the contractor refuses to terminate the subcontract upon the State's request after a finding that the subcontract's certification was false. A bidder, offeror, potential contractor, contractor, or subcontractor who makes a false statement, material to the certification, commits a Class 3 felony.

(Source: P.A. 97-895, eff. 8-3-12; 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13; 98-1076, eff. 1-1-15.)

(30 ILCS 500/50-10)

Sec. 50-10. Felons.

(a) Unless otherwise provided, no person or business convicted of a felony shall do business with the State of Illinois or any State agency, or enter into a subcontract, from the date of conviction until 5 years after the date of completion of the sentence for that felony, unless no person held responsible by a prosecutorial office for the facts upon which the conviction was based continues to have any involvement with the business.

For purposes of this subsection (a), "completion of sentence" means completion of all sentencing related to the felony conviction or admission and includes, but is not limited to, the following: incarceration, mandatory supervised release, probation, work release, house arrest, or commitment to a mental facility.

(b) Every bid or offer submitted to the State, every contract executed by the State, every subcontract subject to Section 20-120 of this Code, and every vendor's submission to a vendor portal shall contain a certification by the bidder, offeror, potential contractor, contractor, or subcontractor, respectively, that the bidder, offeror, potential contractor, contractor, or subcontractor is not barred from being awarded a contract or subcontract under this Section and acknowledges that the chief procurement officer may declare the related contract void if any of the certifications required by this Section are false. If the false certification is made by a subcontractor, then the contractor's submitted bid or offer and the executed contract may not be declared void, unless the contractor refuses to terminate the subcontract upon the State's request after a finding that the subcontract's certification was false.

(Source: P.A. 100-43, eff. 8-9-17.)

(30 ILCS 500/50-10.5)

Sec. 50-10.5. Prohibited bidders, offerors, potential contractors, and contractors.

(a) Unless otherwise provided, no business shall bid, offer, enter into a contract or subcontract under this Code, or make a submission to a vendor portal if the business or any officer, director, partner, or other managerial agent of the business has been convicted of a felony under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or a Class 3 or Class 2 felony under the Illinois Securities Law of 1953 for a period of 5 years from the date of conviction.

(b) Every bid and offer submitted to the State, every contract executed by the State, every vendor's submission to a vendor portal, and every subcontract subject to Section 20-120 of this Code shall contain a certification by the bidder, offeror, potential contractor, contractor, or subcontractor, respectively, that the bidder, offeror, potential contractor, contractor, or subcontractor is not barred from being awarded a contract or subcontract under this Section and acknowledges that the chief procurement officer shall declare the related contract void if any of the certifications completed pursuant to this subsection (b) are false. If the false certification is made by a subcontractor, then the contractor's submitted bid or offer and the executed contract may not be declared void, unless the contractor refuses to terminate the subcontract upon the State's request after a finding that the subcontract's certification was false.

(c) If a business is not a natural person, the prohibition in subsection (a) applies only if:

(1) the business itself is convicted of a felony referenced in subsection (a); or

(2) the business is ordered to pay punitive damages based on the conduct of any officer, director, partner, or other managerial agent who has been convicted of a felony referenced in subsection (a).

(d) A natural person who is convicted of a felony referenced in subsection (a) remains subject to Section 50-10.

(e) No person or business shall bid, offer, make a submission to a vendor portal, or enter into a contract under this Code if the person or business assisted an employee of the State of Illinois, who, by the nature of his or her duties, has the authority to participate personally and substantially in the decision to award a State contract, by reviewing, drafting, directing, or preparing any invitation for bids, a request for proposal, or request for information or provided similar assistance except as part of a publicly issued opportunity to review drafts of all or part of these documents.

This subsection does not prohibit a person or business from submitting a bid or offer or entering into a contract if the person or business: (i) initiates a communication with an employee to provide general information about products, services, or industry best practices, (ii) responds to a communication initiated by an employee of the State for the purposes of providing information to evaluate new products, trends, services, or technologies, or (iii) asks for clarification regarding a solicitation, so long as there is no competitive advantage to the person or business and the question and answer, if material, are posted to the Illinois Procurement Bulletin as an addendum to the solicitation.

Nothing in this Section prohibits a vendor developing technology, goods, or services from bidding or offering to supply that technology or those goods or services if the subject demonstrated to the State represents industry trends and innovation and is not specifically designed to meet the State's needs.

Nothing in this Section prohibits a person performing construction-related services from initiating contact with a business that performs construction for the purpose of obtaining market costs or production time to determine the estimated costs to complete the construction project.

For purposes of this subsection (e), "business" includes all individuals with whom a business is affiliated, including, but not limited to, any officer, agent, employee, consultant, independent contractor, director, partner, or manager of a business.

No person or business shall submit specifications to a State agency unless requested to do so by an employee of the State. No person or business who contracts with a State agency to write specifications for a particular procurement need shall submit a bid or proposal or receive a contract for that procurement need.

(Source: P.A. 100-43, eff. 8-9-17.)

(30 ILCS 500/50-11)

Sec. 50-11. Debt delinquency.

(a) If a person submits a bid or offer for, enters into a contract or subcontract under this Code, or makes a submission to a vendor portal and that person knows or should know that he or she or any affiliate is delinquent in the payment of any debt to the State, that person or affiliate must cure the debt delinquency within 7 calendar days by satisfying the entire debt, or the person or affiliate must enter into a deferred payment plan to pay off the debt, subject to the Comptroller's ability to process the payment, or must be actively disputing or seeking a resolution of the debt. For purposes of this Section, the phrase "delinquent in the payment of any debt" shall be determined by the Debt Collection Bureau. For purposes of this Section, the term "affiliate" means any entity that (1) directly, indirectly, or constructively controls another entity, (2) is directly, indirectly, or constructively controlled by another entity, or (3) is subject to the control of a common entity. For purposes of this subsection (a), a person controls an entity if the person owns, directly or individually, more than 10% of the voting securities of that entity. As used in this subsection (a), the term "voting security" means a security that (1) confers upon the holder the right to vote for the election of members of the board of directors or similar governing body of the business or (2) is convertible into, or entitles the holder to receive upon its exercise, a security that confers such a right to vote. A general partnership interest is a voting security.

(b) Every bid and offer submitted to the State, every vendor's submission to a vendor portal, every contract executed by the State and every subcontract subject to Section 20-120 of this Code shall contain a certification by the bidder, offeror, potential contractor, contractor, or subcontractor, respectively, that the bidder, offeror, respondent, potential contractor, contractor or the subcontractor and its affiliate is not barred from being awarded a contract or subcontract under this Section and acknowledges that the chief procurement officer may declare the related contract void if any of the certifications completed pursuant to this subsection (b) are false. If the false certification is made by a subcontractor, then the contractor's submitted bid or offer and the executed contract may not be declared void, unless the contractor refuses to terminate the subcontract upon the State's request after a finding that the subcontract's certification was false.

(Source: P.A. 102-721, eff. 1-1-23.)

(30 ILCS 500/50-12)

Sec. 50-12. Collection and remittance of Illinois Use Tax.

(a) No person shall enter into a contract with a State agency or enter into a subcontract under this Code unless the person and all affiliates of the person collect and remit Illinois Use Tax on all sales of tangible personal property into the State of Illinois in accordance with the provisions of the Illinois Use Tax Act regardless of whether the person or affiliate is a "retailer maintaining a place of business within this State" as defined in Section 2 of the Use Tax Act. For purposes of this Section, the term "affiliate" means any entity that (1) directly, indirectly, or constructively controls another entity, (2) is directly, indirectly, or constructively controlled by another entity, or (3) is subject to the control of a common entity. For purposes of this subsection (a), an entity controls another entity if it owns, directly or individually, more than 10% of the voting securities of that entity. As used in this subsection (a), the term "voting security" means a security that (1) confers upon the holder the right to vote for the election of members of the board of directors or similar governing body of the business or (2) is convertible into, or entitles the holder to receive upon its exercise, a security that confers such a right to vote. A general partnership interest is a voting security.

(b) Every bid and offer submitted to the State, every submission to a vendor portal, every contract executed by the State and every subcontract subject to Section 20-120 of this Code shall contain a certification by the bidder, offeror, potential contractor, contractor, or subcontractor, respectively, that the bidder, offeror, respondent, potential contractor, contractor, or subcontractor is not barred from bidding for or entering into a contract under subsection (a) of this Section and acknowledges that the chief procurement officer may declare the related contract void if any of the certifications completed pursuant to this subsection (b) are false. If the false certification is made by a subcontractor, then the contractor's submitted bid or offer and the executed contract may not be declared void, unless the contractor refuses to terminate the subcontract upon the State's request after a finding that the subcontract's certification was false.

(Source: P.A. 97-895, eff. 8-3-12; 98-1076, eff. 1-1-15.)

(30 ILCS 500/50-13)

Sec. 50-13. Conflicts of interest.

(a) Prohibition. It is unlawful for any person holding an elective office in this State, holding a seat in the General Assembly, or appointed to or employed in any of the offices or agencies of State government and who receives compensation for such employment in excess of 60% of the salary of the Governor of the State of Illinois, or who is an officer or employee of the Capital Development Board or the Illinois Toll Highway Authority, or who is the spouse or minor child of any such person to have or acquire any contract, or any direct pecuniary interest in any contract therein, whether for stationery, printing, paper, or any services, materials, or supplies, that will be wholly or partially satisfied by the payment of funds appropriated by the General Assembly of the State of Illinois or in any contract of the Capital Development Board or the Illinois Toll Highway Authority.

(b) Interests. It is unlawful for any firm, partnership, association, or corporation, in which any person listed in subsection (a) is entitled to receive (i) more than 7 1/2% of the total distributable income or (ii) an amount in excess of the salary of the Governor, to have or acquire any such contract or direct pecuniary interest therein.

(c) Combined interests. It is unlawful for any firm, partnership, association, or corporation, in which any person listed in subsection (a) together with his or her spouse or minor children is entitled to receive (i) more than 15%, in the aggregate, of the total distributable income or (ii) an amount in excess of 2 times the salary of the Governor, to have or acquire any such contract or direct pecuniary interest therein.

(c-5) Appointees and firms. In addition to any provisions of this Code, the interests of certain appointees and their firms are subject to Section 3A-35 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act.

(d) Securities. Nothing in this Section invalidates the provisions of any bond or other security previously offered or to be offered for sale or sold by or for the State of Illinois.

(e) Prior interests. This Section does not affect the validity of any contract made between the State and an officer or employee of the State or member of the General Assembly, his or her spouse, minor child, or other immediate family member living in his or her residence or any combination of those persons if that contract was in existence before his or her election or employment as an officer, member, or employee. The contract is voidable, however, if it cannot be completed within 365 calendar days after the officer, member, or employee takes office or is employed.

(f) Exceptions.

(1) Public aid payments. This Section does not apply to payments made for a public aid recipient.

(2) Teaching. This Section does not apply to a contract for personal services as a teacher or school administrator between a member of the General Assembly or his or her spouse, or a State officer or employee or his or her spouse, and any school district, public community college district, the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, Illinois State University, Eastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, Chicago State University, Governors State University, or Northeastern Illinois University.

(3) Ministerial duties. This Section does not apply to a contract for personal services of a wholly ministerial character, including but not limited to services as a laborer, clerk, typist, stenographer, page, bookkeeper, receptionist, or telephone switchboard operator, made by a spouse or minor child of an elective or appointive State officer or employee or of a member of the General Assembly.

(4) Child and family services. This Section does not apply to payments made to a member of the General Assembly, a State officer or employee, his or her spouse or minor child acting as a foster parent, homemaker, advocate, or volunteer for or in behalf of a child or family served by the Department of Children and Family Services.

(5) Licensed professionals. Contracts with licensed professionals, provided they are competitively bid or part of a reimbursement program for specific, customary goods and services through the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Department of Public Health, or the Department on Aging.

(g) Penalty. A person convicted of a violation of this Section is guilty of a business offense and shall be fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000.

(Source: P.A. 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.)

(30 ILCS 500/50-14)

Sec. 50-14. Environmental Protection Act violations.

(a) Unless otherwise provided, no person or business found by a court or the Pollution Control Board to have committed a willful or knowing violation of the Environmental Protection Act shall do business with the State of Illinois or any State agency or enter into a subcontract that is subject to this Code from the date of the order containing the finding of violation until 5 years after that date, unless the person or business can show that no person involved in the violation continues to have any involvement with the business.

(b) A person or business otherwise barred from doing business with the State of Illinois or any State agency or subcontracting under this Code by subsection (a) may be allowed to do business with the State of Illinois or any State agency if it is shown that there is no practicable alternative to the State to contracting with that person or business.

(c) Every bid or offer submitted to the State, every contract executed by the State, every submission to a vendor portal, and every subcontract subject to Section 20-120 of this Code shall contain a certification by the bidder, offeror, potential contractor, contractor, or subcontractor, respectively, that the bidder, offeror, potential contractor, contractor, or subcontractor is not barred from being awarded a contract or subcontract under this Section and acknowledges that the contracting State agency may declare the related contract void if any of the certifications completed pursuant to this subsection (c) are false. If the false certification is made by a subcontractor, then the contractor's submitted bid or offer and the executed contract may not be declared void, unless the contractor refuses to terminate the subcontract upon the State's request after a finding that the subcontract's certification was false.

(Source: P.A. 97-895, eff. 8-3-12; 98-1076, eff. 1-1-15.)

(30 ILCS 500/50-14.5)

Sec. 50-14.5. Lead Poisoning Prevention Act violations. Owners of residential buildings who have committed a willful or knowing violation of the Lead Poisoning Prevention Act are prohibited from doing business with the State of Illinois or any State agency, or subcontracting under this Code, until the violation is mitigated.

(Source: P.A. 96-795, eff. 7-1-10 (see Section 5 of P.A. 96-793 for the effective date of changes made by P.A. 96-795).)

(30 ILCS 500/50-15)

Sec. 50-15. Negotiations.

(a) It is unlawful for any person employed in or on a continual contractual relationship with any of the offices or agencies of State government to participate in contract negotiations on behalf of that office or agency with any firm, partnership, association, or corporation with whom that person has a contract for future employment or is negotiating concerning possible future employment.

(b) Any person convicted of a violation of this Section is guilty of a business offense and shall be fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000.

(Source: P.A. 90-572, eff. 2-6-98.)

(30 ILCS 500/50-17)

Sec. 50-17. Expatriated entities.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Section, no business or member of a unitary business group, as defined in the Illinois Income Tax Act, shall submit a bid for or enter into a contract with a State agency under this Code if that business or any member of the unitary business group is an expatriated entity.

(b) An expatriated entity or a member of a unitary business group with an expatriated entity as a member may submit a bid for or enter into a contract with a State agency under this Code if the appropriate chief procurement officer determines that either of the following apply:

(1) the contract is awarded as a sole source procurement under Section 20-25 of this Code, provided that the appropriate chief procurement officer (i) includes in the notice of intent to enter into a sole source contract a prominent statement that the intended sole source contractor is an expatriated entity and (ii) holds a public hearing at which the chief procurement officer and purchasing agency present written justification for the use of a sole source contract with an expatriated entity and any member of the public may present testimony; or

(2) the purchase is of pharmaceutical products, drugs, biologics, vaccines, medical supplies, or devices used to provide medical and health care or treat disease or used in medical or research diagnostic tests, and medical nutritionals regulated by the Food and Drug Administration under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

(Source: P.A. 100-551, eff. 1-1-18.)

(30 ILCS 500/50-20)

Sec. 50-20. Exemptions. The appropriate chief procurement officer may file a request with the Executive Ethics Commission to exempt named individuals from the prohibitions of Section 50-13 when, in his or her judgment, the public interest in having the individual in the service of the State outweighs the public policy evidenced in that Section. The Executive Ethics Commission may grant an exemption after a public hearing at which any person may present testimony. The chief procurement officer shall publish notice of the date, time, and location of the hearing in the online electronic Bulletin at least 14 calendar days prior to the hearing and provide notice to the individual subject to the waiver, the Procurement Policy Board, and the Commission on Equity and Inclusion. The Executive Ethics Commission shall also provide public notice of the date, time, and location of the hearing on its website. If the Commission grants an exemption, the exemption is effective only if it is filed with the Secretary of State and the Comptroller prior to the execution of any contract and includes a statement setting forth the name of the individual and all the pertinent facts that would make that Section applicable, setting forth the reason for the exemption, and declaring the individual exempted from that Section. Notice of each exemption shall be published in the Illinois Procurement Bulletin. A contract for which a waiver has been issued but has not been filed in accordance with this Section is voidable by the State. The changes to this Section made by this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly shall apply to exemptions granted on or after its effective date.

(Source: P.A. 101-657, eff. 1-1-22.)

(30 ILCS 500/50-21)

Sec. 50-21. Bond issuances.

(a) A State agency shall not enter into a contract with respect to the issuance of bonds or other securities by the State or a State agency with any entity that uses an independent consultant.

As used in this subsection, "independent consultant" means a person used by the entity to obtain or retain securities business through direct or indirect communication by the person with a State official or employee on behalf of the entity when the communication is undertaken by the person in exchange for or with the understanding of receiving payment from the entity or another person. "Independent consultant" does not include (i) a finance professional employed by the entity or (ii) a person whose sole basis of compensation from the entity is the actual provision of legal, accounting, or engineering advice, services, or assistance in connection with the securities business that the entity seeks to obtain or retain.

(b) Prior to entering into a contract with a State agency with respect to the issuance of bonds or other securities by the State or a State agency, a contracting party subject to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board's Rule G-37, or a successor rule, shall include a certification that the contracting entity is and shall remain for the duration of the contract in compliance with the Rule's requirements for reporting political contributions. Subsequent failure to remain in compliance shall make the contract voidable by the State.

(c) If a federal agency finds that an entity has knowingly violated in Illinois the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board's Rule G-37 (or any successor rule) with respect to the making of prohibited political contributions or payments, then the chief procurement officer shall impose a penalty that is at least twice the fine assessed against that entity by the federal agency. The chief procurement officer shall also bar that entity from participating in any State agency contract with respect to the issuance of bonds or other securities for a period of one year. The one-year period shall begin upon the expiration of any debarment period imposed by a federal agency. If no debarment is imposed by a federal agency, then the one-year period shall begin on the date the chief procurement officer is advised of the violation.

If a federal agency finds that an entity has knowingly violated in Illinois the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board's Rule G-38 (or any successor rule) with respect to the prohibition on obtaining or retaining municipal securities business, then the chief procurement officer shall bar that entity from participating in any State agency contract with respect to the issuance of bonds or other securities for a period of one year. The one-year period shall begin upon the expiration of any debarment period imposed by a federal agency. If no debarment is imposed by a federal agency, then the one-year period shall begin on the date the chief procurement officer is advised of the violation.

(d) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to apply retroactively, but shall apply prospectively on and after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 96-795, eff. 7-1-10 (see Section 5 of P.A. 96-793 for the effective date of P.A. 96-795).)

(30 ILCS 500/50-25)

Sec. 50-25. Inducement. Any person who offers or pays any money or other valuable thing to any person to induce him or her not to provide a submission to a vendor portal, bid, or submit an offer for a State contract or as recompense for not having bid on or submitted an offer for a State contract or provided a submission to a vendor portal is guilty of a Class 4 felony. Any person who accepts any money or other valuable thing for not bidding or submitting an offer for a State contract, not making a submission to a vendor portal, or who withholds a bid, offer, or submission to vendor portal in consideration of the promise for the payment of money or other valuable thing is guilty of a Class 4 felony.

(Source: P.A. 98-1076, eff. 1-1-15.)

(30 ILCS 500/50-30)

Sec. 50-30. Revolving door prohibition.

(a) Chief procurement officers, State purchasing officers, procurement compliance monitors, their designees whose principal duties are directly related to State procurement, and executive officers confirmed by the Senate are expressly prohibited for a period of 2 years after terminating an affected position from engaging in any procurement activity relating to the State agency most recently employing them in an affected position for a period of at least 6 months. The prohibition includes but is not limited to: lobbying the procurement process; specifying; bidding; proposing bid, proposal, or contract documents; on their own behalf or on behalf of any firm, partnership, association, or corporation. This subsection applies only to persons who terminate an affected position on or after January 15, 1999.

(b) In addition to any other provisions of this Code, employment of former State employees is subject to the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act.

(Source: P.A. 96-795, eff. 7-1-10 (see Section 5 of P.A. 96-793 for the effective date of changes made by P.A. 96-795).)

(30 ILCS 500/50-35)

Sec. 50-35. Financial disclosure and potential conflicts of interest.

(a) All bids and offers from responsive bidders, offerors, vendors, or contractors with an annual value that exceeds the small purchase threshold established under subsection (a) of Section 20-20 of this Code, and all submissions to a vendor portal, shall be accompanied by disclosure of the financial interests of the bidder, offeror, potential contractor, or contractor and each subcontractor to be used. In addition, all subcontracts identified as provided by Section 20-120 of this Code with an annual value that exceeds the small purchase threshold established under subsection (a) of Section 20-20 of this Code shall be accompanied by disclosure of the financial interests of each subcontractor. The financial disclosure of each successful bidder, offeror, potential contractor, or contractor and its subcontractors shall be incorporated as a material term of the contract and shall become part of the publicly available contract or procurement file maintained by the appropriate chief procurement officer. Each disclosure under this Section shall be signed and made under penalty of perjury by an authorized officer or employee on behalf of the bidder, offeror, potential contractor, contractor, or subcontractor, and must be filed with the Procurement Policy Board and the Commission on Equity and Inclusion.

(b) Disclosure shall include any ownership or distributive income share that is in excess of 5%, or an amount greater than 60% of the annual salary of the Governor, of the disclosing entity or its parent entity, whichever is less, unless the bidder, offeror, potential contractor, contractor, or subcontractor (i) is a publicly traded entity subject to Federal 10K reporting, in which case it may submit its 10K disclosure in place of the prescribed disclosure, or (ii) is a privately held entity that is exempt from Federal 10k reporting but has more than 100 shareholders, in which case it may submit the information that Federal 10k reporting companies are required to report under 17 CFR 229.401 and list the names of any person or entity holding any ownership share that is in excess of 5% in place of the prescribed disclosure. The form of disclosure shall be prescribed by the applicable chief procurement officer and must include at least the names, addresses, and dollar or proportionate share of ownership of each person identified in this Section, their instrument of ownership or beneficial relationship, and notice of any potential conflict of interest resulting from the current ownership or beneficial relationship of each individual identified in this Section having in addition any of the following relationships:

(1) State employment, currently or in the previous 3 years, including contractual employment of services.

(2) State employment of spouse, father, mother, son, or daughter, including contractual employment for services in the previous 2 years.

(3) Elective status; the holding of elective office of the State of Illinois, the government of the United States, any unit of local government authorized by the Constitution of the State of Illinois or the statutes of the State of Illinois currently or in the previous 3 years.

(4) Relationship to anyone holding elective office currently or in the previous 2 years; spouse, father, mother, son, or daughter.

(5) Appointive office; the holding of any appointive government office of the State of Illinois, the United States of America, or any unit of local government authorized by the Constitution of the State of Illinois or the statutes of the State of Illinois, which office entitles the holder to compensation in excess of expenses incurred in the discharge of that office currently or in the previous 3 years.

(6) Relationship to anyone holding appointive office currently or in the previous 2 years; spouse, father, mother, son, or daughter.

(7) Employment, currently or in the previous 3 years, as or by any registered lobbyist of the State government.

(8) Relationship to anyone who is or was a registered lobbyist in the previous 2 years; spouse, father, mother, son, or daughter.

(9) Compensated employment, currently or in the previous 3 years, by any registered election or re-election committee registered with the Secretary of State or any county clerk in the State of Illinois, or any political action committee registered with either the Secretary of State or the Federal Board of Elections.

(10) Relationship to anyone; spouse, father, mother, son, or daughter; who is or was a compensated employee in the last 2 years of any registered election or re-election committee registered with the Secretary of State or any county clerk in the State of Illinois, or any political action committee registered with either the Secretary of State or the Federal Board of Elections.

(b-1) The disclosure required under this Section must also include the name and address of each lobbyist required to register under the Lobbyist Registration Act and other agent of the bidder, offeror, potential contractor, contractor, or subcontractor who is not identified under subsections (a) and (b) and who has communicated, is communicating, or may communicate with any State officer or employee concerning the bid or offer. The disclosure under this subsection is a continuing obligation and must be promptly supplemented for accuracy throughout the process and throughout the term of the contract if the bid or offer is successful.

(b-2) The disclosure required under this Section must also include, for each of the persons identified in subsection (b) or (b-1), each of the following that occurred within the previous 10 years: suspension or debarment from contracting with any governmental entity; professional licensure discipline; bankruptcies; adverse civil judgments and administrative findings; and criminal felony convictions. The disclosure under this subsection is a continuing obligation and must be promptly supplemented for accuracy throughout the process and throughout the term of the contract if the bid or offer is successful.

(c) The disclosure in subsection (b) is not intended to prohibit or prevent any contract. The disclosure is meant to fully and publicly disclose any potential conflict to the chief procurement officers, State purchasing officers, their designees, and executive officers so they may adequately discharge their duty to protect the State.

(d) When a potential for a conflict of interest is identified, discovered, or reasonably suspected, the chief procurement officer or State procurement officer shall send the contract to the Procurement Policy Board and the Commission on Equity and Inclusion. In accordance with the objectives of subsection (c), if the Procurement Policy Board or the Commission on Equity and Inclusion finds evidence of a potential conflict of interest not originally disclosed by the bidder, offeror, potential contractor, contractor, or subcontractor, the Board or the Commission on Equity and Inclusion shall provide written notice to the bidder, offeror, potential contractor, contractor, or subcontractor that is identified, discovered, or reasonably suspected of having a potential conflict of interest. The bidder, offeror, potential contractor, contractor, or subcontractor shall have 15 calendar days to respond in writing to the Board or the Commission on Equity and Inclusion, and a hearing before the Board or the Commission on Equity and Inclusion will be granted upon request by the bidder, offeror, potential contractor, contractor, or subcontractor, at a date and time to be determined by the Board or the Commission on Equity and Inclusion, but which in no event shall occur later than 15 calendar days after the date of the request. Upon consideration, the Board or the Commission on Equity and Inclusion shall recommend, in writing, whether to allow or void the contract, bid, offer, or subcontract weighing the best interest of the State of Illinois. All recommendations shall be submitted to the Executive Ethics Commission. Those recommendations made concerning conflicts identified in the course of a procurement for a public institution of higher education are, for procurements having a cumulative value under $5,000, valid and enforceable, for one calendar year after the initial recommendation was made, for all subsequent conflicts for that vendor with regard to the same public institution of higher education. The Executive Ethics Commission must hold a public hearing within 30 calendar days after receiving the Board's or the Commission on Equity and Inclusion's recommendation if the Procurement Policy Board or the Commission on Equity and Inclusion makes a recommendation to (i) void a contract or (ii) void a bid or offer and the chief procurement officer selected or intends to award the contract to the bidder, offeror, or potential contractor. A chief procurement officer is prohibited from awarding a contract before a hearing if the Board or the Commission on Equity and Inclusion recommendation does not support a bid or offer. The recommendation and proceedings of any hearing, if applicable, shall be available to the public.

(e) These thresholds and disclosure do not relieve the chief procurement officer, the State purchasing officer, or their designees from reasonable care and diligence for any contract, bid, offer, or submission to a vendor portal. The chief procurement officer, the State purchasing officer, or their designees shall be responsible for using any reasonably known and publicly available information to discover any undisclosed potential conflict of interest and act to protect the best interest of the State of Illinois.

(f) Inadvertent or accidental failure to fully disclose shall render the contract, bid, offer, proposal, subcontract, or relationship voidable by the chief procurement officer if he or she deems it in the best interest of the State of Illinois and, at his or her discretion, may be cause for barring from future contracts, bids, offers, proposals, subcontracts, or relationships with the State for a period of up to 2 years.

(g) Intentional, willful, or material failure to disclose shall render the contract, bid, offer, proposal, subcontract, or relationship voidable by the chief procurement officer if he or she deems it in the best interest of the State of Illinois and shall result in debarment from future contracts, bids, offers, proposals, subcontracts, or relationships for a period of not less than 2 years and not more than 10 years. Reinstatement after 2 years and before 10 years must be reviewed and commented on in writing by the Governor of the State of Illinois, or by an executive ethics board or commission he or she might designate. The comment shall be returned to the responsible chief procurement officer who must rule in writing whether and when to reinstate.

(h) In addition, all disclosures shall note any other current or pending contracts, bids, offers, proposals, subcontracts, leases, or other ongoing procurement relationships the bidder, offeror, potential contractor, contractor, or subcontractor has with any other unit of State government and shall clearly identify the unit and the contract, offer, proposal, lease, or other relationship.

(i) The bidder, offeror, potential contractor, or contractor has a continuing obligation to supplement the disclosure required by this Section throughout the bidding process during the term of any contract, and during the vendor portal registration process.

(j) If a bid or offer is received from a responsive bidder, offeror, vendor, contractor, or subcontractor with an annual value of more than $100,000 and the bidder, offeror, vendor, contractor, or subcontractor has an active contract with that same entity and already has submitted their financial disclosures and potential conflicts of interest within the last 12 months, the bidder, offeror, vendor, contractor, or subcontractor may submit a signed affidavit attesting that the original submission of its financial disclosures and potential conflicts of interests has not been altered or changed. The form and content of the affidavit shall be prescribed by the applicable chief procurement officer.

(Source: P.A. 101-657, eff. 1-1-22; 102-721, eff. 1-1-23; 102-1119, eff. 1-23-23.)

(30 ILCS 500/50-36)

Sec. 50-36. Disclosure of business in Iran.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Business operations" means engaging in commerce in any form in Iran, including, but not limited to, acquiring, developing, maintaining, owning, selling, possessing, leasing, or operating equipment, facilities, personnel, products, services, personal property, real property, or any other apparatus of business or commerce.

"Company" means any sole proprietorship, organization, association, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability company, or other entity or business association, including all wholly owned subsidiaries, majority-owned subsidiaries, parent companies, or affiliates of those entities or business associations, that exists for the purpose of making profit.

"Mineral-extraction activities" include exploring, extracting, processing, transporting, or wholesale selling or trading of elemental minerals or associated metal alloys or oxides (ore), including gold, copper, chromium, chromite, diamonds, iron, iron ore, silver, tungsten, uranium, and zinc.

"Oil-related activities" include, but are not limited to, owning rights to oil blocks; exporting, extracting, producing, refining, processing, exploring for, transporting, selling, or trading of oil; and constructing, maintaining, or operating a pipeline, refinery, or other oil-field infrastructure. The mere retail sale of gasoline and related consumer products is not considered an oil-related activity.

"Petroleum resources" means petroleum, petroleum byproducts, or natural gas.

"Substantial action" means adopting, publicizing, and implementing a formal plan to cease scrutinized business operations within one year and to refrain from any such new business operations.

(b) Each bid or offer submitted for a State contract, other than a small purchase defined in Section 20-20, shall include a disclosure of whether or not the bidder, offeror, or any of its corporate parents or subsidiaries, within the 24 months before submission of the bid or offer had business operations that involved contracts with or provision of supplies or services to the Government of Iran, companies in which the Government of Iran has any direct or indirect equity share, consortiums or projects commissioned by the Government of Iran, or companies involved in consortiums or projects commissioned by the Government of Iran and:

(1) more than 10% of the company's revenues produced in or assets located in Iran involve oil-related activities or mineral-extraction activities; less than 75% of the company's revenues produced in or assets located in Iran involve contracts with or provision of oil-related or mineral-extraction products or services to the Government of Iran or a project or consortium created exclusively by that government; and the company has failed to take substantial action; or

(2) the company has, on or after August 5, 1996, made an investment of $20 million or more, or any combination of investments of at least $10 million each that in the aggregate equals or exceeds $20 million in any 12-month period, that directly or significantly contributes to the enhancement of Iran's ability to develop petroleum resources of Iran.

(c) A bid or offer that does not include the disclosure required by subsection (b) may be given a period after the bid or offer is submitted to cure non-disclosure. A chief procurement officer may consider the disclosure when evaluating the bid or offer or awarding the contract.

(d) Each chief procurement officer shall provide the State Comptroller with the name of each entity disclosed under subsection (b) as doing business or having done business in Iran. The State Comptroller shall post that information on his or her official website.

(Source: P.A. 98-1076, eff. 1-1-15.)

(30 ILCS 500/50-37)

Sec. 50-37. Prohibition of political contributions.

(a) As used in this Section:

The terms "contract", "State contract", and "contract with a State agency" each mean any contract, as defined in this Code, between a business entity and a State agency let or awarded pursuant to this Code. The terms "contract", "State contract", and "contract with a State agency" do not include cost reimbursement contracts; purchase of care agreements as defined in Section 1-15.68 of this Code; contracts for projects eligible for full or partial federal-aid funding reimbursements authorized by the Federal Highway Administration; grants, including but are not limited to grants for job training or transportation; and grants, loans, or tax credit agreements for economic development purposes.

"Contribution" means a contribution as defined in Section 9-1.4 of the Election Code.

"Declared candidate" means a person who has filed a statement of candidacy and petition for nomination or election in the principal office of the State Board of Elections.

"State agency" means and includes all boards, commissions, agencies, institutions, authorities, and bodies politic and corporate of the State, created by or in accordance with the Illinois Constitution or State statute, of the executive branch of State government and does include colleges, universities, public employee retirement systems, and institutions under the jurisdiction of the governing boards of the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, Illinois State University, Eastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, Chicago State University, Governors State University, Northeastern Illinois University, and the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

"Officeholder" means the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, or Treasurer. The Governor shall be considered the officeholder responsible for awarding all contracts by all officers and employees of, and potential contractors and others doing business with, executive branch State agencies under the jurisdiction of the Executive Ethics Commission and not within the jurisdiction of the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, the Comptroller, or the Treasurer.

"Sponsoring entity" means a sponsoring entity as defined in Section 9-3 of the Election Code.

"Affiliated person" means (i) any person with any ownership interest or distributive share of the bidding or contracting business entity in excess of 7.5%, (ii) executive employees of the bidding or contracting business entity, and (iii) the spouse of any such persons. "Affiliated person" does not include a person prohibited by federal law from making contributions or expenditures in connection with a federal, state, or local election.

"Affiliated entity" means (i) any corporate parent and each operating subsidiary of the bidding or contracting business entity, (ii) each operating subsidiary of the corporate parent of the bidding or contracting business entity, (iii) any organization recognized by the United States Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt organization described in Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or any successor provision of federal tax law) established by the bidding or contracting business entity, any affiliated entity of that business entity, or any affiliated person of that business entity, or (iv) any political committee for which the bidding or contracting business entity, or any 501(c) organization described in item (iii) related to that business entity, is the sponsoring entity. "Affiliated entity" does not include an entity prohibited by federal law from making contributions or expenditures in connection with a federal, state, or local election.

"Business entity" means any entity doing business for profit, whether organized as a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, limited liability company or partnership, or otherwise.

"Executive employee" means (i) the President, Chairman, or Chief Executive Officer of a business entity and any other individual that fulfills equivalent duties as the President, Chairman of the Board, or Chief Executive Officer of a business entity; and (ii) any employee of a business entity whose compensation is determined directly, in whole or in part, by the award or payment of contracts by a State agency to the entity employing the employee. A regular salary that is paid irrespective of the award or payment of a contract with a State agency shall not constitute "compensation" under item (ii) of this definition. "Executive employee" does not include any person prohibited by federal law from making contributions or expenditures in connection with a federal, state, or local election.

(b) Any business entity whose contracts with State agencies, in the aggregate, total more than $50,000, and any affiliated entities or affiliated persons of such business entity, are prohibited from making any contributions to any political committees established to promote the candidacy of (i) the officeholder responsible for awarding the contracts or (ii) any other declared candidate for that office. This prohibition shall be effective for the duration of the term of office of the incumbent officeholder awarding the contracts or for a period of 2 years following the expiration or termination of the contracts, whichever is longer.

(c) Any business entity whose aggregate pending bids and offers on State contracts total more than $50,000, or whose aggregate pending bids and offers on State contracts combined with the business entity's aggregate total value of State contracts exceed $50,000, and any affiliated entities or affiliated persons of such business entity, are prohibited from making any contributions to any political committee established to promote the candidacy of the officeholder responsible for awarding the contract on which the business entity has submitted a bid or offer during the period beginning on the date the invitation for bids, request for proposals, or any other procurement opportunity is issued and ending on the day after the date the contract is awarded.

(c-5) For the purposes of the prohibitions under subsections (b) and (c) of this Section, (i) any contribution made to a political committee established to promote the candidacy of the Governor or a declared candidate for the office of Governor shall also be considered as having been made to a political committee established to promote the candidacy of the Lieutenant Governor, in the case of the Governor, or the declared candidate for Lieutenant Governor having filed a joint petition, or write-in declaration of intent, with the declared candidate for Governor, as applicable, and (ii) any contribution made to a political committee established to promote the candidacy of the Lieutenant Governor or a declared candidate for the office of Lieutenant Governor shall also be considered as having been made to a political committee established to promote the candidacy of the Governor, in the case of the Lieutenant Governor, or the declared candidate for Governor having filed a joint petition, or write-in declaration of intent, with the declared candidate for Lieutenant Governor, as applicable.

(d) All contracts between State agencies and a business entity that violate subsection (b) or (c) shall be voidable under Section 50-60. If a business entity violates subsection (b) 3 or more times within a 36-month period, then all contracts between State agencies and that business entity shall be void, and that business entity shall not bid or respond to any invitation to bid or request for proposals from any State agency or otherwise enter into any contract with any State agency for 3 years from the date of the last violation. A notice of each violation and the penalty imposed shall be published in both the Procurement Bulletin and the Illinois Register.

(e) Any political committee that has received a contribution in violation of subsection (b) or (c) shall pay an amount equal to the value of the contribution to the State no more than 30 calendar days after notice of the violation concerning the contribution appears in the Illinois Register. Payments received by the State pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited into the general revenue fund.

(Source: P.A. 103-570, eff. 1-1-24.)