2023 Illinois Compiled Statutes › Chapter 5 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › 5 ILCS 430/ - State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. › Article 20 - Executive Ethics Commission and Executive Inspectors General

(5 ILCS 430/Art. 20 heading)
ARTICLE 20
EXECUTIVE ETHICS COMMISSION AND
EXECUTIVE INSPECTORS GENERAL
(Source: P.A. 93-617, eff. 12-9-03.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-5)
Sec. 20-5. Executive Ethics Commission.
(a) The Executive Ethics Commission is created.
(b) The Executive Ethics Commission shall consist of 9
commissioners.
The Governor shall appoint 5 commissioners, and the Attorney General, Secretary
of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer shall each appoint one commissioner.
Appointments shall be made by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate by three-fifths of the elected members concurring by record vote.
Any nomination not acted upon by the Senate within 60 session days of the
receipt thereof shall be deemed to have received the advice and consent of
the Senate. If, during a recess of the Senate, there is a vacancy in an office
of commissioner, the appointing authority shall make a temporary
appointment until the next meeting of the Senate when the appointing
authority shall make a nomination to fill that office. No person rejected for
an office of commissioner shall, except by the Senate's request, be
nominated again for that office at the same session of the Senate or be
appointed to that office during a recess of that Senate.
No more than 5
commissioners may be of the same
political party.
The terms of the initial commissioners shall commence upon qualification.
Four initial appointees of the Governor, as designated by the Governor, shall
serve terms running through June 30, 2007.  One initial appointee of the
Governor, as designated by the Governor, and the initial appointees of the
Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer shall serve
terms running through June 30, 2008.
The initial appointments shall be made within 60 days
after the effective date of this Act.
After the initial terms, commissioners shall serve for 4-year terms
commencing on July 1 of the year of appointment and running
through June 30 of the fourth following year. Commissioners may be
reappointed to one or more subsequent terms.
Vacancies occurring other than at the end of a term shall be filled
by the appointing authority only for the balance of the
term of the commissioner whose office is vacant.
Terms shall run regardless of whether the position is filled.
(c) The appointing authorities shall appoint commissioners who
have experience holding governmental office or employment and shall
appoint commissioners from the general public.
A person is not eligible to
serve as a commissioner if that person (i) has been convicted of a
felony or a crime of dishonesty or moral turpitude, (ii) is, or was
within the preceding 12 months, engaged in activities that
require registration under the Lobbyist Registration Act, (iii) is related
to the appointing authority, or (iv) is a State officer or employee.
(d) The Executive Ethics Commission shall have
jurisdiction over all officers and employees of State agencies other
than the General Assembly, the Senate, the House of Representatives,
the President and Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker and
Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the Senate
Operations Commission, the legislative support services agencies, and
the Office of the Auditor General.
The Executive Ethics Commission shall have jurisdiction over all board members and employees of Regional Transit Boards and all board members and employees of Regional Development Authorities. The jurisdiction of the
Commission is limited to matters arising under this Act, except as provided in subsection (d-5).
A member or legislative branch State employee serving on an executive branch board or commission remains subject to the jurisdiction of the Legislative Ethics Commission and is not subject to the jurisdiction of the Executive Ethics Commission.
(d-5) The Executive Ethics Commission shall have jurisdiction over all chief procurement officers and  procurement compliance monitors and  their respective staffs.  The Executive Ethics Commission shall have jurisdiction over any matters arising under the Illinois Procurement Code if the Commission is given explicit authority in that Code.
(d-6) (1) The Executive Ethics Commission shall have jurisdiction over the Illinois Power Agency and its staff. The Director of the Agency shall be appointed by a majority of the commissioners of the Executive Ethics Commission, subject to Senate confirmation, for a term of 2 years. The Director is removable for cause by a majority of the Commission upon a finding of neglect, malfeasance, absence, or incompetence.
(2) In case of a vacancy in the office of Director of the Illinois Power Agency during a recess of the Senate, the Executive Ethics Commission may make a temporary appointment until the next meeting of the Senate, at which time the Executive Ethics Commission shall nominate some person to fill the office, and any person so nominated who is confirmed by the Senate shall hold office during the remainder of the term and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the Executive Ethics Commission from removing a temporary appointee or from appointing a temporary appointee as the Director of the Illinois Power Agency.
(3) Prior to June 1, 2012, the Executive Ethics Commission may, until the Director of the Illinois Power Agency is appointed and qualified or a temporary appointment is made pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection, designate some person as an acting Director to execute the powers and discharge the duties vested by law in that Director. An acting Director shall serve no later than 60 calendar days, or upon the making of an appointment pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection, whichever is earlier. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the Executive Ethics Commission from removing an acting Director or from appointing an acting Director as the Director of the Illinois Power Agency.
(4) No person rejected by the Senate for the office of Director of the Illinois Power Agency shall, except at the Senate's request, be nominated again for that office at the same session or be appointed to that office during a recess of that Senate.
(d-7) The Executive Ethics Commission shall have jurisdiction over complainants and respondents in violation of subsection (d) of Section 20-90.
(e) The Executive Ethics Commission must meet, either
in person or by other technological means, at least monthly and as
often as necessary. At the first meeting of the Executive
Ethics Commission, the commissioners shall choose from their
number a chairperson and other officers that they deem appropriate.
The terms of officers shall be for 2 years commencing July 1 and
running through June 30 of the second following year. Meetings shall be held at
the call
of the chairperson or any 3 commissioners. Official action by the
Commission shall require the affirmative vote of 5 commissioners, and
a quorum shall consist of 5 commissioners. Commissioners shall receive
compensation in an amount equal to the compensation of members of the State
Board of Elections and may be
reimbursed for their reasonable expenses actually incurred in the
performance of their duties.
(f) No commissioner or employee of the Executive
Ethics Commission may during his or her term of appointment or employment:
(1) become a candidate for any elective office;
(2) hold any other elected or appointed public office     except for appointments on governmental advisory boards or study commissions or as otherwise expressly authorized by law;
(3) be actively involved in the affairs of any     political party or political organization; or
(4) advocate for the appointment of another person to     an appointed or elected office or position or actively participate in any campaign for any elective office.
(g) An appointing authority may remove a commissioner only for cause.
(h) The Executive Ethics Commission shall appoint an Executive Director. The
compensation of the Executive Director shall be as determined by the Commission. The Executive
Director of the Executive Ethics Commission may employ and determine the
compensation of staff, as appropriations permit.
(i) The Executive Ethics Commission shall appoint, by a majority of the members appointed to the Commission, chief procurement officers and may appoint procurement compliance monitors in accordance with the provisions of the Illinois Procurement Code. The compensation of a chief procurement officer and procurement compliance monitor shall be determined by the Commission.
(Source: P.A. 103-517, eff. 8-11-23.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-10)
Sec. 20-10. Offices of Executive Inspectors General.
(a) Five independent Offices of the Executive Inspector General are
created,
one each for the Governor, the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, the
Comptroller, and the Treasurer. Each Office shall be under the direction and
supervision
of an Executive Inspector General and shall be a fully independent office with
separate
appropriations.
(b) The Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, and
Treasurer shall each appoint an Executive Inspector General, without regard to
political affiliation and solely on the basis of integrity and
demonstrated ability.
Appointments shall be made by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate by three-fifths of the elected members concurring by record vote.
Any nomination not acted upon by the Senate within 60 session days of the
receipt thereof shall be deemed to have received the advice and consent of
the Senate. If, during a recess of the Senate, there is a vacancy in an office
of Executive Inspector General, the appointing authority shall make a
temporary appointment until the next meeting of the Senate when the
appointing authority shall make a nomination to fill that office. No person
rejected for an office of Executive Inspector General shall, except by the
Senate's request, be nominated again for that office at the same session of
the Senate or be appointed to that office during a recess of that Senate.
Nothing in this Article precludes the appointment by the Governor, Attorney
General,
Secretary of State, Comptroller, or Treasurer of any other inspector general
required or
permitted by law. The Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State,
Comptroller, and
Treasurer
each may appoint an existing inspector general as the Executive Inspector
General
required by this
Article, provided that such an inspector general is not prohibited by law,
rule,
jurisdiction, qualification, or interest from serving as the Executive
Inspector General
required by
this Article.
An appointing authority may not appoint a relative as an Executive Inspector
General.
Each Executive Inspector General shall have the following qualifications:
(1) has not been convicted  of any felony under the     laws of this State, another State, or the United States;
(2) has earned a baccalaureate degree from an     institution of higher education; and
(3) has 5 or more years of cumulative service (A)     with a federal, State, or local law enforcement agency, at least 2 years of which have been in a progressive investigatory capacity; (B) as a federal, State, or local prosecutor; (C) as a senior manager or executive of a federal, State, or local agency; (D) as a member, an officer, or a State or federal judge; or (E) representing any combination of items (A) through (D).
The term of each initial Executive Inspector General shall
commence upon qualification and shall run through June 30, 2008. The
initial appointments shall be made within 60 days after the effective
date of this Act.
After the initial term, each Executive Inspector General shall serve
for 5-year terms commencing on July 1 of the year of appointment
and running through June 30 of the fifth following year. An
Executive Inspector General may be reappointed to one or more
subsequent terms.
A vacancy occurring other than at the end of a term shall be filled
by the appointing authority only for the balance of the term of the Executive
Inspector General whose office is vacant.
Terms shall run regardless of whether the position is filled.
(c) The Executive Inspector General appointed by the Attorney General shall
have jurisdiction over the Attorney General and all officers and employees of,
and vendors and others doing business with,
State agencies within the jurisdiction of the Attorney General. The Executive
Inspector General appointed by the Secretary of State shall have jurisdiction
over the Secretary of State and all officers and employees of, and vendors and
others doing business with, State agencies within the
jurisdiction of the Secretary of State. The Executive Inspector General
appointed by the Comptroller shall have jurisdiction over the Comptroller and
all officers and employees of, and vendors and others doing business with,
State agencies within the jurisdiction of the Comptroller. The
Executive Inspector General appointed by the Treasurer shall have jurisdiction
over the Treasurer and all officers and employees of, and vendors and others
doing business with, State agencies within the jurisdiction
of the Treasurer. The Executive Inspector General appointed by the Governor
shall have jurisdiction over (i) the Governor, (ii) the Lieutenant Governor, (iii) all
officers and employees of, and vendors 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, (iv) all board members and employees of the Regional Transit Boards and all vendors and others doing business with the Regional Transit Boards, and (v) all board members and employees of the
Regional Development Authorities and all vendors and others
doing business with the Regional Development Authorities.
The jurisdiction of each Executive Inspector General is to investigate
allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, misconduct, nonfeasance,
misfeasance,
malfeasance, or violations of this Act or violations of other related
laws and rules.
Each Executive Inspector General shall have jurisdiction over complainants in violation of subsection (e) of Section 20-63 for disclosing a summary report prepared by the respective Executive Inspector General.
(d) The compensation for each Executive Inspector General shall be
determined by the Executive Ethics Commission and shall be provided from appropriations made to the Comptroller for this purpose. For terms of office beginning on or after  July 1, 2023, each Executive Inspector General shall receive, on July 1 of each year, beginning on July 1, 2024, an increase in salary based on a cost of living adjustment as authorized by Senate Joint Resolution 192 of the 86th General Assembly. Subject to Section 20-45 of this Act, each
Executive Inspector General has full
authority
to organize his or her Office of the Executive Inspector General, including the
employment and determination of the compensation of staff, such as deputies,
assistants, and other employees, as appropriations permit. A separate
appropriation
shall be made for each Office of Executive Inspector General.
(e) No Executive Inspector General or employee of the Office of
the Executive Inspector General may, during his or her term of appointment or
employment:
(1) become a candidate for any elective office;
(2) hold any other elected or appointed public office     except for appointments on governmental advisory boards or study commissions or as otherwise expressly authorized by law;
(3) be actively involved in the affairs of any     political party or political organization; or
(4) advocate for the appointment of another person to     an appointed or elected office or position or actively participate in any campaign for any elective office.
In this subsection an appointed public office means a position authorized by
law that is filled by an appointing authority as provided by law and does not
include employment by hiring in the ordinary course of business.
(e-1) No Executive Inspector General or employee of the Office of the
Executive Inspector General may, for one year after the termination of his or
her appointment or employment:
(1) become a candidate for any elective office;
(2) hold any elected public office; or
(3) hold any appointed State, county, or local     judicial office.
(e-2) The requirements of item (3) of subsection (e-1) may be waived by the
Executive Ethics Commission.
(f) An Executive Inspector General may be removed only for cause and may
be removed only by the appointing constitutional officer. At the time of the
removal,
the appointing constitutional officer must report to the Executive Ethics
Commission the
justification for the
removal.
(Source: P.A. 102-558, eff. 8-20-21; 102-1115, eff. 1-9-23; 103-517, eff. 8-11-23.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-15)
Sec. 20-15. Duties of the Executive Ethics
Commission. In addition to duties otherwise assigned by
law, the Executive Ethics Commission shall have the
following duties:
(1) To promulgate rules governing the performance of     its duties and the exercise of its powers and governing the investigations of the Executive Inspectors General. It is declared to be in the public interest, safety, and welfare that the Commission adopt emergency rules under the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to initially perform its duties under this subsection.
(2) To conduct administrative hearings and rule on     matters brought before the Commission only upon the receipt of pleadings filed by an Executive Inspector General, or upon receipt of summaries of reviews submitted by the Inspector General for the Secretary of State under subsection (d-5) of Section 14 of the Secretary of State Act, and not upon its own prerogative, but may appoint special Executive Inspectors General as provided in Section 20-21. Any other allegations of misconduct received by the Commission from a person other than an Executive Inspector General shall be referred to the Office of the appropriate Executive Inspector General.
(3) To prepare and publish manuals and guides and,     working with the Office of the Attorney General, oversee training of employees under its jurisdiction that explains their duties.
(4) To prepare public information materials to     facilitate compliance, implementation, and enforcement of this Act.
(5) To submit reports as required by this Act.
(6) To the extent authorized by this Act, to make     rulings, issue recommendations, and impose administrative fines, if appropriate, in connection with the implementation and interpretation of this Act. The powers and duties of the Commission are limited to matters clearly within the purview of this Act, and include authority over allegations that an individual required to be registered under the Lobbyist Registration Act has committed an act of sexual harassment, as set forth in any summaries of reviews of such allegations submitted to the Commission by the Inspector General for the Secretary of State.
(7) To issue subpoenas with respect to matters     pending before the Commission, subject to the provisions of this Article and in the discretion of the Commission, to compel the attendance of witnesses for purposes of testimony and the production of documents and other items for inspection and copying.
(8) To appoint special Executive Inspectors General     as provided in Section 20-21.
(9) To conspicuously display on the Commission's     website the procedures for reporting a violation of this Act, including how to report violations via email or online.
(Source: P.A. 100-554, eff. 11-16-17.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-20)
Sec. 20-20. Duties of the Executive Inspectors
General. In addition to duties otherwise assigned by law,
each Executive Inspector General shall have the following duties:
(1) To receive and investigate allegations of     violations of this Act. An investigation may not be initiated more than one year after the most recent act of the alleged violation or of a series of alleged violations except where there is reasonable cause to believe that fraudulent concealment has occurred.  To constitute fraudulent concealment sufficient to toll this limitations period, there must be an affirmative act or representation calculated to prevent discovery of the fact that a violation or other wrongful act has occurred.  The Executive Inspector General shall have the discretion to determine the appropriate means of investigation as permitted by law.
(2) To request information relating to an     investigation from any person when the Executive Inspector General deems that information necessary in conducting an investigation.
(3) To issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of     witnesses for the purposes of testimony and production of documents and other items for inspection and copying and to make service of those subpoenas and subpoenas issued under item (7) of Section 20-15.
(4) To submit reports as required by this Act.
(5) To file pleadings in the name of the Executive     Inspector General with the Executive Ethics Commission, through the Attorney General, as provided in this Article if the Attorney General finds that reasonable cause exists to believe that a violation has occurred.
(6) To assist and coordinate the ethics officers for     State agencies under the jurisdiction of the Executive Inspector General and to work with those ethics officers.
(7) To participate in or conduct, when appropriate,     multi-jurisdictional investigations.
(8) To request, as the Executive Inspector General     deems appropriate, from ethics officers of State agencies under his or her jurisdiction, reports or information on (i) the content of a State agency's ethics training program and (ii) the percentage of new officers and employees who have completed ethics training.
(9) To review hiring and employment files of each     State agency within the Executive Inspector General's jurisdiction to ensure compliance with Rutan v. Republican Party of Illinois, 497 U.S. 62 (1990), and with all applicable employment laws.
(10) To establish a policy that ensures the     appropriate handling and correct recording of all investigations conducted by the Office, and to ensure that the policy is accessible via the Internet in order that those seeking to report those allegations are familiar with the process and that the subjects of those allegations are treated fairly.
(11) To post information to the Executive Inspector     General's website explaining to complainants and subjects of an investigation the legal limitations on the Executive Inspector General's ability to provide information to them and a general overview of the investigation process.(Source: P.A. 102-664, eff. 1-1-22.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-20a)
Sec. 20-20a. Attorney General investigatory authority.  In addition to investigatory authority otherwise granted by law, the Attorney General shall have the authority to investigate violations of this Act pursuant to Section 20-50 or Section 20-51 of this Act after receipt of notice from the Executive Ethics Commission or pursuant to Section 5-45.  The Attorney General shall have the discretion to determine the appropriate means of investigation as permitted by law, including (i) the request of information relating to an investigation from any person when the Attorney General deems that information necessary in conducting an investigation; and (ii) the issuance of subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses for the purposes of sworn testimony and production of documents and other items for inspection and copying and the service of those subpoenas.
Nothing in this Section shall be construed as granting the Attorney General the authority to investigate alleged misconduct pursuant to notice received under Section 20-50 or Section 20-51 of this Act, if the information contained in the notice indicates that the alleged misconduct was minor in nature. As used in this Section, misconduct that is "minor in nature" means misconduct that was a violation of office, agency, or department policy and not of this Act or any other civil or criminal law.
(Source: P.A. 96-555, eff. 8-18-09.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-21)
Sec. 20-21. Special Executive Inspectors General.
(a) The Executive Ethics Commission, on its own initiative and by majority
vote,
may appoint special Executive Inspectors General (i) to investigate alleged
violations of this Act if
an investigation by the Inspector General was not concluded within 6 months
after its
initiation, where the Commission finds that the Inspector General's reasons
under Section 20-65 for failing to complete the investigation are insufficient,
 (ii) to accept referrals from the Commission of allegations made pursuant
to this Act concerning an Executive Inspector General or employee of an Office
of an Executive Inspector General and to investigate those allegations, (iii) to investigate matters within the jurisdiction of an Executive Inspector General if an Executive Inspector General (including his or her employees) could be reasonably deemed to be a wrongdoer or suspect, or if in the determination of the Commission, an investigation presents real or apparent conflicts of interest for the Office of the Executive Inspector General, and (iv) to investigate alleged violations of this Act pursuant to Section 20-50 and Section 20-51.
(b) A special Executive Inspector General must have the same qualifications
as an Executive Inspector General appointed under Section 20-10.
(c) The Commission's appointment of a special Executive Inspector General
must be in writing and must specify the duration and purpose of the
appointment.
(d) A special Executive Inspector General shall have the same powers and
duties
with respect to the purpose of his or her appointment as an Executive
Inspector General appointed under Section 20-10.
(e) A special Executive
Inspector
General shall report the findings of his or her investigation to the
Commission.
(f) The Commission may report the findings of a special Executive Inspector
General and its recommendations, if any, to the appointing authority of the
appropriate Executive Inspector General.
(Source: P.A. 96-555, eff. 8-18-09.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-23)
Sec. 20-23. Ethics Officers. Each officer and the head of each State agency under the jurisdiction of the Executive Ethics Commission shall designate an Ethics Officer for the office or State agency. The board of each Regional Transit Board shall designate an Ethics Officer for the Regional Transit Board, and the board of each Regional Development Authority shall designate an Ethics Officer for the Regional Development Authority. Ethics Officers shall:
(1) act as liaisons between the State agency,     Regional Transit Board, or Regional Development Authority and the appropriate Executive Inspector General and between the State agency, Regional Transit Board, or Regional Development Authority and the Executive Ethics Commission;
(2) review statements of economic interest and     disclosure forms of officers, senior employees, and contract monitors before they are filed with the Secretary of State; and
(3) provide guidance to officers and employees in the     interpretation and implementation of this Act, which the officer or employee may in good faith rely upon. Such guidance shall be based, wherever possible, upon legal precedent in court decisions, opinions of the Attorney General, and the findings and opinions of the Executive Ethics Commission.(Source: P.A. 103-517, eff. 8-11-23.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-35)
Sec. 20-35. Administrative subpoena; compliance. A person duly
subpoenaed for testimony, documents, or other items who neglects or refuses to
testify or produce documents or other items under the requirements of the
subpoena shall be subject to punishment as
may be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
 Nothing in this Section limits or alters a person's existing rights or
protections under State or federal law.
(Source: P.A. 93-617, eff. 12-9-03.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-40)
Sec. 20-40. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 93-617, eff. 12-9-03. Repealed by P.A. 96-555, eff. 8-18-09.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-45)
Sec. 20-45. Standing; representation.
(a) With the exception of a person appealing an Inspector General's determination under Section 5-45 of this Act or under applicable provisions of the Illinois Procurement Code, only an Executive Inspector General or the Attorney General may bring actions before the
Executive Ethics Commission.
The Attorney General may bring actions before the Executive Ethics Commission upon receipt of notice pursuant to Section 5-50 or Section 5-51 or pursuant to Section 5-45.
(b) With the exception of Section 5-45, the Attorney General shall represent an Executive Inspector General in
all proceedings before the
Commission.
Whenever the Attorney General is sick or
absent, or unable to attend, or is interested in any matter or
proceeding under this Act, upon the filing of a petition under seal by any
person with standing,
the Supreme Court (or any other court of competent jurisdiction as designated
and determined by rule of the Supreme Court) may appoint
 some competent attorney to prosecute or defend that matter or proceeding, and
the attorney so appointed shall have the same
power and authority in relation to
that matter or proceeding as the
Attorney General would have had if present and
attending to the same.
(c) Attorneys representing an Inspector General in
proceedings before the Executive Ethics Commission, except an attorney
appointed under subsection (b),
shall be appointed or retained by the Attorney General, shall
be under the supervision, direction, and control of the Attorney General, and
shall serve at the pleasure of the Attorney General. The compensation of any
attorneys appointed or retained in accordance
with this subsection or subsection (b) shall be paid by the appropriate Office
of the Executive
Inspector General.
(Source: P.A. 96-555, eff. 8-18-09.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-50)
Sec. 20-50. Investigation reports.
(a) If an Executive Inspector General, upon the conclusion of an
investigation, determines that reasonable cause exists to believe that a
violation
has occurred, then
the Executive Inspector General shall issue a summary report of the
investigation. The report shall be delivered to the
appropriate ultimate jurisdictional
authority and to the head of each State
agency
affected by or involved in the investigation, if appropriate. The appropriate ultimate jurisdictional authority or agency head shall respond to the summary report within 20 days, in writing, to the Executive Inspector General. The response shall include a description of any corrective or disciplinary action to be imposed. If the appropriate ultimate jurisdictional authority does not respond within 20 days, or within an extended time period as agreed to by the Executive Inspector General, an Executive Inspector General may proceed under subsection (c) as if a response had been received.
(b) The summary report of the investigation shall include the following:
(1) A description of any allegations or other     information received by the Executive Inspector General pertinent to the investigation.
(2) A description of any alleged misconduct     discovered in the course of the investigation.
(3) Recommendations for any corrective or     disciplinary action to be taken in response to any alleged misconduct described in the report, including but not limited to discharge.
(4) Other information the Executive Inspector General     deems relevant to the investigation or resulting recommendations.
(c) Within 30 days after receiving a response from the appropriate ultimate jurisdictional authority or agency head under subsection (a),
the Executive Inspector General shall notify the Commission and the Attorney General if the Executive Inspector General believes that a complaint should be filed with the Commission. If the Executive Inspector General desires to file a
complaint with the Commission, the Executive Inspector General shall  submit the summary report and supporting documents to the
Attorney General. If the Attorney General concludes that there is insufficient evidence that a violation has occurred, the Attorney General shall notify the Executive Inspector General and the Executive Inspector General shall deliver to the Executive Ethics Commission a copy of the summary report and response from the ultimate jurisdictional authority or agency head.
If the Attorney General determines
that reasonable cause exists to believe that a violation has occurred, then the
Executive Inspector
General, represented by the Attorney
General, may file with the Executive Ethics Commission a complaint.
The complaint shall set
 forth the alleged violation and the
grounds that exist to support the complaint. The complaint must be filed with the Commission within 12 months after the Executive Inspector General's receipt of the allegation of the violation or within 18 months after the most recent act of the alleged violation or of a series of alleged violations, whichever is later,
except where there is reasonable cause to believe
that fraudulent concealment has occurred.  To constitute fraudulent concealment
sufficient to toll this limitations period, there must be an affirmative act or
representation calculated to prevent discovery of the fact that a violation has
occurred.
If a complaint is not filed with the Commission
within 6 months after notice by the Inspector General to the Commission and the
Attorney General, then the Commission may set a meeting of the Commission at
which the Attorney General shall appear and provide a status
report to the Commission.
(c-5) Within 30 days after receiving a response from the appropriate ultimate jurisdictional authority or agency head under subsection (a), if the Executive Inspector General does not believe that a complaint should be filed, the Executive Inspector General shall deliver to the Executive Ethics Commission a statement setting forth the basis for the decision not to file a complaint and a copy of the summary report and response from the ultimate jurisdictional authority or agency head. An Inspector General may also submit a redacted version of the summary report and response from the ultimate jurisdictional authority if the Inspector General believes either contains information that, in the opinion of the Inspector General, should be redacted prior to releasing the report, may interfere with an ongoing investigation, or identifies an informant or complainant.
(c-10) If, after reviewing the documents, the Commission believes that further investigation is warranted, the Commission may request that the Executive Inspector General provide additional information or conduct further investigation. The Commission may also appoint a Special Executive Inspector General to investigate or refer the summary report and response from the ultimate jurisdictional authority to the Attorney General for further investigation or review.  If the Commission requests the Attorney General to investigate or review, the Commission must notify the Attorney General and the Inspector General. The Attorney General may not begin an investigation or review until receipt of notice from the Commission.


If, after review, the Attorney General determines that reasonable cause exists to believe that a violation has occurred, then the Attorney General may file a complaint with the Executive Ethics Commission. If the Attorney General concludes that there is insufficient evidence that a violation has occurred, the Attorney General shall notify the Executive Ethics Commission and the appropriate Executive Inspector General.
(d) A copy of the complaint filed with the Executive Ethics Commission must be served on all respondents named in the
complaint and on each respondent's ultimate jurisdictional authority in
the same manner as process is served under the Code of Civil
Procedure.
(e) A respondent may file objections to the complaint within 30 days after notice of the petition has been
served on the respondent.
(f) The Commission shall meet, either in person or by telephone, at least 30 days after the complaint is served on all respondents
in a closed session to review the sufficiency of the complaint.

The Commission shall
issue notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the Executive Inspector General, Attorney General, and all respondents of
the Commission's ruling on the sufficiency of the complaint. If the complaint
is deemed to
sufficiently allege a violation of this Act, then the Commission shall
include a hearing date scheduled within 4 weeks after the date of the notice,
unless all of the parties consent to a later date.
If the complaint is deemed not to sufficiently allege a
violation, then
the Commission shall send by certified mail, return receipt requested,
a notice to the Executive Inspector General, Attorney General, and all respondents of the decision to dismiss the complaint.
(g) On the scheduled date
the Commission shall conduct a closed meeting,
either in person or, if the parties consent, by telephone, on the complaint and
allow all
parties the opportunity to present testimony and evidence.
All such proceedings shall be transcribed.
(h) Within an appropriate time limit set by rules of the Executive
Ethics Commission, the Commission shall (i) dismiss the
complaint, (ii) issue a recommendation of discipline to the
respondent and the respondent's ultimate jurisdictional authority, (iii)
impose an administrative fine upon the respondent, (iv) issue injunctive relief as described in Section 50-10, or (v) impose a combination of (ii) through (iv).
(i) The proceedings on any complaint filed with the Commission
shall be conducted pursuant to rules promulgated by the Commission.
(j) The Commission may designate hearing officers
to conduct proceedings as determined by rule of the Commission.
(k) In all proceedings before the Commission, the standard of
proof is by a preponderance of the evidence.
(l) Within 30 days after the issuance of a final administrative decision that concludes that a violation occurred, the Executive Ethics Commission shall make public the entire record of proceedings before the Commission, the decision, any recommendation, any discipline imposed, and the response from the agency head or ultimate jurisdictional authority to the Executive Ethics Commission.
(Source: P.A. 100-588, eff. 6-8-18; 101-221, eff. 8-9-19; 101-617, eff. 12-20-19.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-51)
Sec. 20-51. Closed investigations. When the Inspector General concludes that there is insufficient evidence that a violation has occurred, the Inspector General shall close the investigation. The Inspector General shall provide the Commission with a written statement of the Inspector General's decision to close the investigation. At the request of the subject of the investigation, the Inspector General shall provide a written statement to the subject of the investigation of the Inspector General's decision to close the investigation. Closure by the Inspector General does not bar the Inspector General from resuming the investigation if circumstances warrant. The Commission also has the discretion to request that the Executive Inspector General conduct further investigation of any matter closed pursuant to this Section, to appoint a Special Executive Inspector General to investigate,


or to refer the allegations to the Attorney General for further investigation or review. If the Commission requests the Attorney General to investigate or review, the Commission must notify the Attorney General and the Inspector General. The Attorney General may not begin an investigation or review until receipt of notice from the Commission.
(Source: P.A. 96-555, eff. 8-18-09.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-52)
Sec. 20-52. Release of summary reports.
(a)          Within 60 days after receipt of a summary report and response from the ultimate jurisdictional authority or agency head that resulted in a suspension of at least 3 days or termination of employment, the Executive Ethics Commission shall make available to the public the report and response or a redacted version of the report and response. The Executive Ethics Commission may make available to the public any other summary report and response of the ultimate jurisdictional authority or agency head or a redacted version of the report and response.
(b)          The Commission shall redact information in the summary report that may reveal the identity of witnesses, complainants, or informants or if the Commission determines it is appropriate to protect the identity of a person before the report is made public. The Commission may also redact any information it believes should not be made public. Prior to publication, the Commission shall permit the respondents, Inspector General, and Attorney General to review documents to be made public and offer suggestions for redaction or provide a response that shall be made public with the summary report.
(c)          The Commission may withhold publication of the report or response if the Executive Inspector General or Attorney General certifies that releasing the report to the public will interfere with an ongoing investigation.
(Source: P.A. 96-555, eff. 8-18-09.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-55)
Sec. 20-55. Decisions; recommendations.
(a) All decisions of the Executive Ethics Commission
must include a description of the alleged misconduct, the decision of
the Commission, including any fines levied and any recommendation
of discipline, and the reasoning for that decision. All decisions of the
Commission shall be delivered to the head of the appropriate State
agency, the appropriate ultimate jurisdictional authority, and the
appropriate Executive Inspector General. The Executive Ethics
Commission shall promulgate rules for the decision and
recommendation process.
(b) If the Executive Ethics Commission issues a
recommendation of discipline to an agency head or ultimate
jurisdictional authority, that agency head or ultimate jurisdictional
authority must respond to that recommendation in 30 days with a
written response to the Executive Ethics Commission. This
response must include any disciplinary action the agency head or
ultimate jurisdictional authority has taken with respect to the officer or
employee in question. If the agency head or ultimate jurisdictional
authority did not take any disciplinary action, or took a different
disciplinary action than that recommended by the Executive
Ethics Commission, the agency head or ultimate jurisdictional
authority must describe the different action and explain the reasons for the
different action in the
written response. This response must be served upon the Executive
Ethics Commission and
the appropriate Executive Inspector General within the 30-day period and is not
exempt from the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
(c) Disciplinary action under this Act against a person subject to the Personnel Code, the Secretary of State Merit Employment Code, the Comptroller Merit Employment Code, or the State Treasurer Employment Code is within the jurisdiction of the Executive Ethics Commission and is not within the jurisdiction of those Acts.
(d) Any hearing to contest disciplinary action for a violation of this Act against a person subject to the Personnel Code, the Secretary of State Merit Employment Code, the Comptroller Merit Employment Code, or the State Treasurer Employment Code pursuant to an agreement between an Executive Inspector General and an ultimate jurisdictional authority shall be conducted by the Executive Ethics Commission and not under any of those Acts.
(Source: P.A. 96-555, eff. 8-18-09.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-60)
Sec. 20-60. Appeals.  A decision of the Executive
Ethics Commission to impose a fine or injunctive relief is subject to judicial review
under the Administrative Review Law. All other decisions by the
Executive Ethics Commission are final and not subject to
review either administratively or judicially.
(Source: P.A. 96-555, eff. 8-18-09.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-63)
Sec. 20-63. Rights of persons subjected to discrimination, harassment, or sexual harassment.
(a) As used in this Section, "complainant" means a known person identified in a complaint filed with an Executive Inspector General as a person subjected to alleged discrimination, harassment, or sexual harassment in violation of Section 5-65 of this Act, subsection (a) of Section 4.7 of the Lobbyist Registration Act, or Article 2 of the Illinois Human Rights Act, regardless of whether the complaint is filed by the person.
(b) A complainant shall have the following rights:
(1) within 5 business days of the Executive Inspector     General receiving a complaint in which the complainant is identified, to be notified by the Executive Inspector General of the receipt of the complaint, the complainant's rights, and an explanation of the process, rules, and procedures related to the investigation of an allegation, and the duties of the Executive Inspector General and the Executive Ethics Commission;
(2) within 5 business days after the Executive     Inspector General's decision to open or close an investigation into the complaint or refer the complaint to another appropriate agency, to be notified of the Executive Inspector General's decision; however, if the Executive Inspector General reasonably determines that publicly acknowledging the existence of an investigation would interfere with the conduct or completion of that investigation, the notification may be withheld until public acknowledgment of the investigation would no longer interfere with that investigation;
(3) after an investigation has been opened, to have     any interviews of the complainant audio recorded by the Executive Inspector General and to review, in person and in the presence of the Executive Inspector General or his or her designee, any transcript or interview report created from that audio recorded interview. The complainant may provide any supplemental statements or evidence throughout the investigation;
(4) to have a union representative, attorney,     co-worker, or other support person who is not involved in the investigation, at the complainant's expense, present at any interview or meeting, whether in person or by telephone or audio-visual communication, between the complainant and the Executive Inspector General or Executive Ethics Commission;
(5) to submit an impact statement that shall be     included with the Executive Inspector General's summary report to the Executive Ethics Commission for its consideration;
(6) to testify at a hearing held under subsection (g)     of Section 20-50, to the extent the hearing is based on an allegation of a violation of Section 5-65 of this Act or subsection (a) of Section 4.7 of the Lobbyist Registration Act involving the complainant, and have a single union representative, attorney, co-worker, or other support person who is not involved in the investigation, at the complainant's expense, accompany him or her while testifying;
(7) to review, within 5 business days prior to its     release, any portion of a summary report of the investigation subject to public release under this Article related to the allegations concerning the complainant, after redactions made by the Executive Ethics Commission, and offer suggestions for redaction or provide a response that shall be made public with the summary report; and
(8) to file a complaint with the Executive Ethics     Commission for any violation of the complainant's rights under this Section by the Executive Inspector General.
(c) The complainant shall have the sole discretion in determining whether to exercise the rights set forth in this Section. All rights under this Section shall be waived if the complainant fails to cooperate with the Executive Inspector General's investigation of the complaint.
(d) The notice requirements imposed on Inspectors General by this Section shall be waived if the Inspector General is unable to identify or locate the complainant.
(e) (Blank).
(Source: P.A. 101-221, eff. 8-9-19; 101-617, eff. 12-20-19.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-65)
Sec. 20-65. Reporting of investigations.
(a) Each Executive Inspector General shall file a quarterly activity report with the Executive Ethics Commission that reflects investigative activity during the previous quarter.  The Executive Ethics Commission shall establish the reporting dates. The activity report shall include at least the following:
(1) The number of investigations opened during the     preceding quarter, the affected offices or agencies, and the unique tracking numbers for new investigations.
(2) The number of investigations closed during the     preceding quarter, the affected offices or agencies, and the unique tracking numbers for closed investigations.
(3) The status of each on-going investigation that     remained open at the end of the quarter, the affected office, agency or agencies, the investigation's unique tracking number, and a brief statement of the general nature of the investigation.
(b) If
any investigation is not concluded within 6 months after its initiation,
the appropriate Executive Inspector General shall file a 6-month report with the Executive
Ethics Commission by the fifteenth day of the month following it being open for 6 months.  The 6-month report shall disclose:
(1) The general  nature of the allegation or     information giving rise to the investigation, the title or job duties of the subjects of the investigation, and the investigation's unique tracking number.
(2) The date of the last alleged violation of this     Act or other State law giving rise to the investigation.
(3) Whether the Executive Inspector General has found     credible the allegations of criminal conduct.
(4) Whether the allegation has been referred to an     appropriate law enforcement agency and the identity of the law enforcement agency to which those allegations were referred.
(5) If an allegation has not been referred to an     appropriate law enforcement agency, the reasons for the failure to complete the investigation within 6 months, a summary of the investigative steps taken, additional investigative steps contemplated at the time of the report, and an estimate of additional time necessary to complete the investigation.
(6) Any other information deemed necessary by the     Executive Ethics Commission in determining whether to appoint a Special Inspector General.
(c) If an Executive Inspector General has referred an allegation to an appropriate law enforcement agency and continues to investigate the matter, the future reporting requirements of this Section are suspended.
(d) Reports filed under this Section are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act.
(Source: P.A. 96-555, eff. 8-18-09.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-70)
Sec. 20-70. Cooperation in investigations.  It is the duty of
every officer and employee under the jurisdiction of an Executive
Inspector General, including any inspector general serving in any
State agency under the jurisdiction of that Executive Inspector
General, to cooperate with the Executive Inspector General and the Attorney General in any
investigation undertaken pursuant to this Act. Failure to cooperate includes, but is not limited to, intentional omissions and knowing false statements. Failure to cooperate
with an investigation of the Executive Inspector General or the Attorney General is grounds
for disciplinary action, including dismissal. Nothing in this Section limits or
alters a person's existing rights or protections under State or federal law.
(Source: P.A. 96-555, eff. 8-18-09.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-80)
Sec. 20-80. Referrals of investigations.  If an Executive
Inspector General determines that any alleged misconduct involves
any person not subject to the jurisdiction of the Executive
Ethics Commission, that Executive Inspector General shall refer the
reported allegations to the appropriate Inspector General, appropriate ethics
commission, or other
appropriate body. If an Executive Inspector General determines that
any alleged misconduct may give rise to criminal penalties, the
Executive Inspector General may refer the allegations regarding that
misconduct to the appropriate law enforcement authority. If an Executive Inspector General determines that any alleged misconduct resulted in the loss of public funds in an amount of $5,000 or greater, the Executive Inspector General shall refer the allegations regarding that misconduct to the Attorney General and any other appropriate law enforcement authority.
(Source: P.A. 96-555, eff. 8-18-09.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-85)
Sec. 20-85. Monthly reports by Executive Inspector General. 
Each Executive Inspector General shall submit monthly
reports to the appropriate executive branch constitutional officer, on dates determined by the executive branch constitutional officer, indicating:
(1) the total number of allegations received since     the date of the last report and the total number of allegations received since the date of the last report by category of claim;
(2) the total number of investigations initiated     since the date of the last report and the total number of investigations initiated since the date of the last report by category of claim;
(3) the total number of investigations concluded     since the date of the last report and the total number of investigations concluded since the date of the last report by category of claim;
(4) the total number of investigations pending as of     the reporting date and the total number of investigations pending as of the reporting date by category of claim;
(5) the total number of complaints forwarded to the     Attorney General since the date of the last report;
(6) the total number of actions filed with the     Executive Ethics Commission since the date of the last report, the total number of actions pending before the Executive Ethics Commission as of the reporting date, the total number of actions filed with the Executive Ethics Commission since the date of the last report by category of claim, and the total number of actions pending before the Executive Ethics Commission as of the reporting date by category of claim;
(7) the total number of allegations referred to any     law enforcement agency since the date of the last report;
(8)    the total number of allegations referred to     another investigatory body since the date of the last report; and
(9)   the cumulative number of each of the foregoing     for the current calendar year.
For the purposes of this Section, "category of claim" shall include discrimination claims, harassment claims, sexual harassment claims, retaliation claims, gift ban claims, prohibited political activity claims, revolving door prohibition claims, and other, miscellaneous, or uncharacterized claims.
The monthly report shall be available on the websites of the Executive Inspector General and the constitutional officer.
(Source: P.A. 100-588, eff. 6-8-18.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-86)
Sec. 20-86. Quarterly reports by the Attorney General.  The Attorney
General shall submit
quarterly reports to the Executive Ethics Commission, on dates determined by
the Executive Ethics Commission, indicating:
(1) the number of complaints received from each of     the Executive Inspectors General since the date of the last report;
(2) the number of complaints for which the Attorney     General has determined reasonable cause exists to believe that a violation has occurred since the date of the last report; and
(3) the number of complaints still under review by     the Attorney General.
(Source: P.A. 93-617, eff. 12-9-03.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-90)
Sec. 20-90. Confidentiality.
(a) The identity of any individual providing information or reporting any
possible or alleged
misconduct to an Executive Inspector General or the Executive Ethics
Commission
shall be kept confidential and may not be disclosed
without the consent of that individual, unless the individual consents to
disclosure of his or her name or disclosure of the individual's identity is
otherwise required by law. The confidentiality granted by this subsection does
not preclude the disclosure of the identity of a person in any capacity other
than as the source of an allegation.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 20-52, commissioners, employees,
and agents of the Executive Ethics Commission,
the Executive Inspectors General, and employees and agents of each Office of
an
Executive Inspector General, the Attorney General, and the employees and agents of the office of the Attorney General shall keep confidential and shall not disclose
information exempted from disclosure under the Freedom of
Information Act or by this Act, provided the identity of any individual providing information or reporting any possible or alleged misconduct to the Executive Inspector General for the Governor may be disclosed to an Inspector General appointed or employed by a Regional Transit Board in accordance with Section 75-10.
(c) In his or her discretion, an Executive Inspector General may notify complainants and subjects of an investigation with an update on the status of the respective investigation, including when the investigation is opened and closed.
(d) A complainant, as defined in subsection (a) of Section 20-63, or a respondent who receives a copy of any summary report, in whole or in part, shall keep the report confidential and shall not disclose the report, or any portion thereof, prior to the publication of the summary report by the Executive Ethics Commission pursuant to this Act. A complainant or respondent who violates this subsection (d) shall be in violation of this Act and subject to an administrative fine by the Executive Ethics Commission of up to $5,000.
(Source: P.A. 100-588, eff. 6-8-18; 101-617, eff. 12-20-19.)
(5 ILCS 430/20-95)
Sec. 20-95. Exemptions.
(a) Documents generated by an ethics
officer under this Act, except Section 5-50, are exempt from the provisions of
the Freedom
of Information Act.
(b) Any allegations
and related documents
submitted to an Executive Inspector General and any pleadings and
related documents brought before the Executive Ethics
Commission are exempt from the provisions of the Freedom of
Information Act so long as the Executive Ethics Commission
does not make a finding of a violation of this Act.
If the Executive
Ethics Commission finds that a violation has occurred, the
entire record of proceedings before the Commission, the decision and
recommendation, and the response from the agency head or
ultimate jurisdictional authority to the Executive Ethics
Commission are not exempt from the provisions of the Freedom of
Information Act but information contained therein that is otherwise exempt from
the
Freedom of Information Act must be redacted before disclosure as provided in
 the Freedom of Information Act. A summary report released by the Executive Ethics Commission under Section 20-52 is a public record, but information redacted by the Executive Ethics Commission shall not be part of the public record.
(c) Meetings of the Commission are exempt from the provisions of the Open
Meetings Act.
(d) Unless otherwise provided in this Act, all investigatory files and
reports of the Office of an Executive Inspector General, other than monthly
reports required under Section 20-85, are confidential and privileged, are exempt from disclosure
under the Freedom of Information Act, and shall not be divulged to
any person or agency, except as necessary (i) to a law
enforcement
authority, (ii) to the ultimate
jurisdictional authority, (iii) to the
Executive Ethics Commission, (iv) to another Inspector General appointed
pursuant to this Act, or (v) to an Inspector General appointed or employed by a Regional Transit Board in accordance with Section 75-10.
(Source: P.A. 102-664, eff. 1-1-22.)