How does HB3562 change who can serve on the Legislative Ethics Commission?
Short answer
Illinois House Bill 3562 (HB3562) mandates that the four legislative leaders who appoint commissioners to the Legislative Ethics Commission must each select at least one member from the general public. This changes current law, which permits but does not require these appointments.
What the bill says
The bill amends Section 25-5(c) of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. The current text states that appointing authorities "may" appoint commissioners from the general public. HB3562 replaces this permissive language with a requirement that "each appointing authority shall appoint at least one commissioner from the general public" [https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus/FullText?LegDocId=202040&DocName=10400HB3562&DocNum=3562&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=162252&GAID=18&SessionID=114&SpecSess=&Session=].
The Legislative Ethics Commission consists of eight commissioners. Two are appointed by the President of the Senate, two by the Minority Leader of the Senate, two by the Speaker of the House, and two by the Minority Leader of the House. Under the proposed change, each of these four appointing authorities must include at least one commissioner from the general public within their respective two appointments.
Eligibility and constraints
The bill text states that appointing authorities "shall appoint commissioners who have experience holding governmental office or employment... and each appointing authority shall appoint at least one commissioner from the general public." The syntax presents these as conjunctive requirements. However, the text does not explicitly clarify whether the "general public" appointee is exempt from the government experience requirement or if they must also possess it. It maintains prohibitions on service for individuals convicted of felonies, registered lobbyists, relatives of the appointing authority, state officers or employees (other than General Assembly members), and candidates for statewide, federal, or judicial office.
What the source does not answer
The bill text does not define "general public" beyond the listed exclusions, nor does it specify whether the public appointee must lack prior government experience. It also does not address training requirements or resources specific to public members. As the bill remains in committee, there is no record of how these appointments might be negotiated or if specific criteria for "public" status will be debated during hearings.