SB 1959

Abstract

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Requires each officer or member who, on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, is elected or appointed to office to complete, within 2 years after the date that he or she is first elected or appointed and every 2 years thereafter for as long as he or she remains an officer or member, an 8-hour continuing education program that has been developed by the Illinois Council on Economic Education and has been approved by the Illinois Community College Board. Provides that an officer or member who is currently licensed by the State in a financial field and is already required to take continuing education classes concerning accounting, economics, or finance shall be exempt from this continuing education requirement. Authorizes an administrative fine to be levied against an officer or employee who fails to timely complete the amendatory Act's continuing education requirement. Prohibits an officer or employee from being elected or appointed to public office if he or she fails to timely pay the fine and complete the required continuing education. Amends the Election Code. Requires candidates to state in their petitions for nomination that they are not barred from being elected or appointed by a violation of the continuing education requirement established by the amendatory Act.