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IL SB2371

IL SB2371
FOREIGN AGENTS REGISTRATION

summary

Introduced
02/07/2025
In Committee
02/07/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

104th General Assembly

Bill Summary

Creates the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Provides that no person shall act as an agent of a foreign principal from a country of concern unless he or she has filed with the Attorney General a true and complete registration statement and supplements thereto or unless he or she is exempt from registration under the provisions of the Act. Provides that, except as otherwise provided in the Act, every person who becomes an agent of a foreign principal from a country of concern shall, within 10 days thereafter, file with the Attorney General, in duplicate, a registration statement, under oath on a form prescribed by the Attorney General. Provides that the obligation of an agent of a foreign principal from a country of concern to file a registration statement shall, after the 10th day of his or her becoming such agent, continue from day to day, and termination of such status shall not relieve such agent from his or her obligation to file a registration statement for the period during which he or she was an agent of a foreign principal from a country of concern. Provides that any person who acted as an agent of a foreign principal from a country of concern at any time after January 1, 2014 and until the effective date of the Act shall file with the Attorney General a true and complete retroactive registration statement and supplements thereto. Provides that the registration provisions do not apply to certain agents and foreign principals. Provides penalties for violation. Provides that the Attorney General may at any time make, prescribe, amend, and rescind such rules and forms as the Attorney General may deem necessary to carry out the provisions of the Act. Defines "country of concern" as the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Cuba, the Venezuelan regime of Nicolas Maduro, or the Syrian Arab Republic, including any agent of or any other entity under significant control of such foreign country of concern, or any other entity deemed by the Governor in consultation with the Director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security.

AI Summary

This bill creates the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which requires individuals or organizations acting as agents for foreign principals from specific "countries of concern" (including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria) to register with the Attorney General within 10 days of becoming such an agent. The registration must include detailed information about the agent's activities, financial arrangements, and relationships with foreign principals, and must be updated every six months. The bill aims to provide public transparency about political and propaganda activities conducted by foreign agents, mandating that these agents disclose their connections, financial details, and the nature of their work. Agents must file comprehensive registration statements that include personal and organizational details, a list of employees, information about foreign principals, copies of agreements, financial disclosures, and descriptions of political activities. The law applies retroactively to agents who have worked for these countries since January 1, 2014, and includes significant penalties for non-compliance, including fines up to $100,000 and potential felony charges. Certain exceptions exist, such as for diplomatic officers and lawyers engaged in legal representation. The Attorney General is tasked with maintaining these records, making them publicly accessible, and reporting on foreign agent activities every six months.

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Referred to Assignments (on 02/07/2025)

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