Executive Order Number 09-01

Executive Order Number 09-01 (PDF, 70 KB)

Executive Order creating the "Illinois Reform Commission"

WHEREAS, as Governor of the State of Illinois, I have no higher responsibility to the People than to take tangible and immediate steps to remedy what has become a “crisis of integrity”; and

WHEREAS, while serving as Lieutenant Governor, I created an advisory body of people on January 16, 2009, having the responsibility to conduct a thorough review of ethics in government, charged with proposing policy solutions by a date certain; and

WHEREAS, having assumed the Office of Governor, it is my express desire to reaffirm my profound commitment to ethics in government by reestablishing the Commission under the auspices of the Governor’s Office, having the duties, and operating under the same terms and conditions set forth in the Executive Order of the Lieutenant Governor No. 1 of January 16, 2009, with the technical changes set forth herein;

THEREFORE, I, Patrick J. Quinn, Governor of Illinois, pursuant to the authority vested in me by Article V of the Constitution of Illinois of 1970, hereby order as follows:

1. CREATION

   Pursuant to the terms of Executive Order No. 1 of the Lieutenant Governor of January 16, 2009, the Illinois Reform Commission was created. By the terms of this executive order, the Commission is hereby reconstituted as an independent advisory body having the duties set forth herein, with respect to the Office of Governor.

2. PURPOSE

   The purpose of the Commission is to undertake a focused evaluation of both existing Illinois law and the operational practices of the State of Illinois from the perspective of ethics in government, proposing, as the Commission deems appropriate, amendments to existing law. In addition, the Commission shall:

   1. Propose, as it deems appropriate, new legislation on subject matters on which there is currently no governing law or insufficient governing law, as well as other policy or operational reforms; and
   2. Draft, to the extent feasible, proposed statutory language, new or amended administrative regulations, and other documents as the Commission deems appropriate, or outlines of any such documents, implementing the Commission’s policy recommendations; and
   3. Submit, not later than April 26, 2009, an initial report outlining its findings and recommendations to the people of Illinois and to the Governor, and, not later than May 31, 2009, any supplementary reports the Commission deems appropriate and
   4. Ensure, with the logistical assistance of the Office of the Governor, that the report and recommended reforms of the Commission are available to the public; and
   5. Conduct its business at regular meetings; open o the public, in accordance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/1 et.seq.) (see supra Section V).
      
      
3. MEMBERSHIP
   
   
   1. The Commission shall be composed of a Chairperson and Commissioners appointed pursuant to the terms of Executive Order No. 1 of the Lieutenant Governor of January 16, 2009.
      
      
4. INDEPENDENCE
   
   
   1. The Commission shall function as an independent advisory body, with the discretion to arrange its affairs and proceedings in the manner it deems appropriate.
   2. The Commission may, at its discretion, appoint individuals to serve as staff persons.
   3. The Governor’s Office shall, upon the request of the Chairperson, provide administrative and technical support to the operations of the Commission.
      
      
5. TRANSPARENCY
   
   
   1. In addition to whatever policies or procedures it may adopt, all operations of the Commission will be subject to the provisions of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 430/1 et.seq.) and the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/1 et.seq.). This section shall not be construed so as to preclude other statues from applying to the Commission and it activities.
      
      
6. EFFECTIVE DATE
   
   
   1. This Order shall take effect immediately upon its execution.
      
      

Pat Quinn, Governor
Issued by Governor: January 30, 2009
Filed with Secretary of State: January 30, 2009