Bill > SB1354

This bill creates the Tax Increment Financing and Zoning Ethics and Political Contributions Prohibition Act, which aims to prevent potential conflicts of interest in local government funding and zoning decisions. The legislation prohibits directors, employees, investors, and their immediate family members who receive benefits from Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts or zoning variances from making political contributions to candidates, political organizations, political action committees (PACs), or independent expenditure committees in the same taxing district for a specified period. Specifically, these individuals are barred from donating money, goods, or services to political entities that could influence elections in the county, municipality, or district where they received the TIF or zoning benefit. The bill requires annual public disclosure of individuals receiving such benefits and imposes significant penalties for violations, including fines up to $100,000, potential imprisonment for up to one year, and ineligibility to receive future benefits from TIF districts or zoning variances for up to five years. Enforcement can be conducted by the State's Attorney or the Attorney General, and the law includes exemptions for unrelated political contributions at the state or federal level. The bill's primary goal is to enhance transparency and prevent potential corruption by separating financial benefits from local government decisions and political campaign contributions.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1354&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104