Bill > SB3992

This bill, titled the Research, Education, and Government Operations Protection Act, aims to safeguard Illinois's research, educational systems, and government operations from undue influence by designated "countries of concern," which include nations like China, Russia, and Iran, among others. Key provisions require State agencies, political subdivisions, and educational institutions (both K-12 and higher education) to disclose any gifts or contracts received from these countries of concern, with such transactions needing approval from the Executive Inspector General, an independent official tasked with investigating fraud, waste, and misconduct. The bill also restricts international cultural agreements and student associations within educational institutions to prevent foreign influence on curricula or values, and mandates that higher education institutions with substantial research budgets ($10 million or more) conduct thorough screening of applicants and faculty for foreign affiliations and travel to countries of concern. Furthermore, it establishes stricter approval processes for academic and research partnerships with institutions in these countries, requiring robust safeguards for intellectual property and national security, and criminalizes the theft or trafficking of trade secrets with severe penalties, including a Class X felony, especially when intended to benefit foreign entities. The bill also limits the ability of local governments (home rule units) to enact conflicting regulations on foreign gifts and contracts and makes conforming changes to existing ethics and whistleblower protection laws to ensure these protections extend to individuals reporting violations under this new act, with an effective date of January 1, 2027.

https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=3992&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104