CONAMEND-DEPT OF GOVT ETHICS

Proposes to create the Ethics Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides for the creation of the Department of Governmental Ethics. Provides that the Department shall have jurisdiction over the Executive and Legislative Branches of the State government, together with all units of local government, school districts, public colleges, and public universities. Provides that the Department shall be led by a Director. Provides that the Department shall have a State Government Division with the authority to investigate, prosecute, and ensure compliance with laws relating to the duties and responsibilities of the agencies and other bodies, elected and appointed officers, and employees of the Executive and Legislative Branches of the State government. Provides that the Department shall have a Local Government Division, which shall have the authority to investigate, prosecute, and ensure compliance with laws relating to the duties and responsibilities of units of local government and the elected and appointed officers and employees of units of local government. Provides that the Department shall have an Education Division, which shall have the authority to investigate, prosecute, and ensure compliance with laws relating to the duties and responsibilities of school districts, public colleges, and public universities, and the elected and appointed officers and employees of school districts, public colleges, and public universities. Provides for the creation of the Governmental Ethics Commission. Provides that the Commission shall have authority over the Department of Governmental Ethics, shall receive reports from audits of the Department conducted by the Auditor General, shall approve the budget of the Department, and shall appoint the Director of the Department and such other officers as it may determine. The commission shall not be composed of a majority of members from any one political party. Directs the General Assembly to provide by law for the implementation of the provisions of the Article.