SB3496 Summary

• Requires all public officials (Governor, General Assembly members, and county/municipal corporate authorities) elected or appointed after the bill's effective date to complete an 8-hour continuing education program on economic theories and their relationship to government policy within 2 years of taking office and every 2 years thereafter.

• The continuing education program must be established by Econ Illinois-Illinois Council on Economic Education at Northern Illinois University and approved by the Illinois Community College Board.

• Public officials who fail to timely complete the program are subject to administrative fines up to $5,000 and cannot be elected or appointed to public office unless they pay the fine and complete the required education.

• Officials holding multiple public offices need only complete the 8-hour program once every 2 years rather than for each office.

• Amends the Election Code to require candidates to certify in their statement of candidacy that they are not barred from office under this new continuing education requirement.