SB2896 Summary

• Creates the Governor's Office of the Illinois Bicentennial, headed by an Executive Director appointed by the Governor, to plan and implement statewide bicentennial celebration programs for Illinois' 200th anniversary of statehood (December 3, 2018) and constitution adoption (August 26, 2018).

• Establishes the Illinois Bicentennial Commission with up to 40 Governor-appointed members plus 12 members appointed by legislative leaders, constitutional officers, and Chicago and Springfield mayors to advise the Bicentennial Office.

• Commission members serve without compensation or reimbursement, with a majority constituting a quorum; the Commission is subject to Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act requirements but provides only advisory recommendations.

• Both the Bicentennial Office and Commission are dissolved on December 31, 2018, with all records and property transferred to the Office of the Governor or State Archives.

• Revokes Executive Order 7 (2014) establishing the previous 77-member State Bicentennial Commission and transfers its records, funds, and employees to the new Bicentennial Office.