Sen. Craig Wilcox

Amends the Recyclable Metal Purchase Registration Law. Provides that it is a violation of the Act for any person to possess, purchase, attempt to purchase, sell, or attempt to sell, or for any recyclable metal dealer to purchase or attempt to purchase, telecommunications wire in any amount unless the seller is an authorized agent, a representative or employee of a licensed contractor of a public utility, a provider of telecommunications services, as described in the Public Utilities Act, or a provider of broadband service, interconnected VoIP services, or wireless services, as described in the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Recyclable Metal Theft Task Force shall review the effectiveness of its efforts in deterring and investigating the problem of recyclable metal theft specific to telecommunications wires, burned wire, and any other equipment used to provide (i) telecommunications services, as described in the Public Utilities Act, or (ii) broadband service, interconnected VoIP services, or wireless services, as described in the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Task Force shall consider and develop long-term solutions, both legislative and enforcement-driven, for the rising problem of theft of these wires and equipment in this State. Provides that the Task Force shall be composed of one representative of a wireless telecommunications carrier. Provides that the Task Force shall, by October 31 of each year, report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor. Changes the definition of the term "recyclable metal". Defines the terms "burned wire" and "telecommunications wire".

Amends the Illinois Lottery Law. In a provision concerning a scratch-off for the benefit of Illinois veterans, provides that the 3-member funding authorization committee appointed by the Director of Veterans Affairs shall meet twice a year (instead of on a quarterly basis), at minimum.

Amends the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall prioritize projects that incorporate construction, materials, designs, products, or technologies that increase accessibility and usability beyond the highest standards established under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or federal regulations promulgated under that Act. Requires the Department to adopt rules to establish this priority within its grant application review process under the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. In the Illinois Street Gang and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Law, expands the definition of "predicate activity" to include bribery, official misconduct, solicitation misconduct (State government), solicitation misconduct (local government), and legislative misconduct. Extends the repeal of the Illinois Street Gang and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Law to January 1, 2035 (rather than July 1, 2027). Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Expands the authority of the State's Attorney to seek a court order authorizing the interception of a private communication when no party has consented to the interception and the interception may provide evidence of, or may assist in the apprehension of a person who has committed, is committing, or is about to commit an offense to include predicate activity under the Illinois Street Gang and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Law. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that bribery and legislative misconduct include the receipt of property or personal advantage after the improper act has been performed (rather than just the intent to influence the improper act). Provides that the provisions do not apply to the promise, tender, acceptance, or receipt of any campaign contributions that are permissible under the Election Code.

Creates the Illinois Public Corruption Transparency Act. Establishes an electronic database within the Illinois State Police to be known as the Illinois Public Corruption Registry. Provides that the Registry shall be published online on a publicly available website, and shall be freely searchable by the public without registration or fee. Provides that the clerk of each circuit court, with respect to criminal and civil cases, the Executive Ethics Commission, Office of the Executive Inspector General, Legislative Inspector General, local government ethics commissions or boards where established; and the Attorney General and each State's Attorney, with respect to corruption-related settlements, consent decrees, and deferred or no-prosecution agreements, shall report any final disposition involving a public corruption offense. Provides that the Registry shall not publish Social Security numbers, full dates of birth, home addresses, personal phone numbers, or bank or account numbers or the identities of minor victims or protected persons as defined by law. Provides that an entry in the Registry shall be created when a reportable final disposition occurs in Illinois and the Illinois State Police receives a certified report. Provides that entries in the Registry shall remain publicly accessible for 10 years from final disposition for misdemeanor level public corruption offenses, 20 years from final disposition for felony level public corruption offenses, and the duration of any court ordered or statutory disqualification from public office, public employment, or public contracting, if longer. Provides that any person who knowingly and willfully submits materially false information to the Registry commits a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 4 felony for a subsequent offense, in addition to any other penalties under Illinois law. Effective January 1, 2027.

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that an employer shall not knowingly offer employment, compensation, or fees for services to a person if that person is prohibited by the Act's revolving door prohibitions from accepting employment, compensation, or fees for services from that employer. Grants the Executive Ethics Commission and the Legislative Ethics Commission jurisdiction over employers who make offers of employment, compensation, or fees for services in violation of this prohibition. Authorizes an ethics commission to impose a penalty of up to 3 times the total annual compensation that was offered in violation of this prohibition.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, the Illinois Commerce Commission shall maintain a website that details any charges, either required by law or approved by the Commission, that are charged by an electric utility, other than delivery or supply charges. Provides that the website shall include certain information for amounts collected from a charge that are remitted to the State and for amounts collected from a charge that are retained by the electric utility.

Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that no State employee may receive monetary or other compensation from any private party for work performed within the scope of his or her employment by a State agency. Effective immediately.

Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act. Provides that a lobbyist or lobbying entity may not promise anything of value to an official, State employee, or a candidate for a State executive or State legislative office for the person's support, action, or inaction for a specific legislative action or executive action, including, but not limited to, campaign contributions, endorsement of candidacy, or any in-kind contributions supporting an official, State employee, or candidate for a State executive or State legislative office. Prohibits a lobbyist or lobbying entity from soliciting an official or State employee to violate similar provisions of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that nothing in the provisions prevents the making or accepting of voluntary contributions otherwise in accordance with law.