IL SB2479

Terminates all existing Legislative Ethics Commission commissioners on December 31, 2021, and establishes a new appointment process beginning January 1, 2022.

Increases the Commission from 8 to 10 commissioners, appointed by the Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court and the most senior Supreme Court Justice of a different political party, with 8 representing the two major parties equally and 2 representing other parties.

Commissioners serve 6-year terms and must be Illinois residents reflecting the state's ethnic, gender, and racial demographics; ineligible commissioners include those with felony convictions, recent government employees, lobbyists within 12 months, and those with ownership interests in entities with government contracts.

Requires appointment of an Executive Director by agreement of at least 8 of the 10 commissioners, subject to approval by at least 3 of the 4 legislative leaders.

Changes quorum and voting requirements from 5 to 6 commissioners for official Commission action and clarifies that commissioners cannot serve in the General Assembly or be appointed to Senate-confirmed positions for 10 years after leaving the Commission.