Yesterday we reported on a bill that would modify the state ethics statutes. The General Assembly also passed HRJ 93 to create a joint commission of the Illinois house and senate to review and make additional recommendations for changes to various state ethics statutes, including the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act, the Lobbyist Registration Act, and the Public Officers Prohibited Political Activities Act. Because many of these state statutes also apply to local government officials and employees, this commission and its findings will be of great interest to local governments.
It is interesting to note that although the commission includes a wide range of state officials (see below), the commission includes no local government representation even though most of these statutes also apply to local government officials and employees. It would be reasonable for the Governor to consider appointing local government representatives as his Governor-appointees to provide a local government perspective to such an important study.
Membership of the commission is as follows:
  • 2 members of the GA appointed by the Speaker of the House
  • 2 members of the GA appointed by the Senate President
  • 2 members of the GA appointed by the House Minority Leader
  • 2 members of the GA appointed by the Senate Minority Leader
  • 2 members from the Attorney General’s office appointed by the AG
  • 2 members of the Secretary of State’s office appointed by the SOS
  • 4 members appointed by the Governor