Bill Text: IL HB5977 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Amends the Election Code. Provides that any expenditure made by a news publication or an entity that owns a news publication for the purpose of supporting or opposing a public official or candidate shall be treated as an in-kind contribution for the purposes of the Code. Effective immediately.

Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)

Status: (Failed) 2019-01-08 - Session Sine Die [HB5977 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-HB5977-Introduced.html

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100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2017 and 2018 HB5977 Introduced , by Rep. Robert Martwick SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
10 ILCS 5/9-8.7 new
Amends the Election Code. Provides that any expenditure made by a news publication or an entity that owns a news publication for the purpose of supporting or opposing a public official or candidate shall be treated as an in-kind contribution for the purposes of the Code. Effective immediately.
LRB100 23984 HLH 43071 b
A BILL FOR
HB5977 LRB100 23984 HLH 43071 b
AN ACT concerning elections.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Election Code is amended by adding Section
9-8.7 as follows:
(10 ILCS 5/9-8.7 new)
Sec. 9-8.7. Expenditures by newspaper entities.
(a) As used in this Section only, "expenditure" means:
(1) a payment, distribution, purchase, loan, advance,
deposit, gift of money, or anything of value, in connection
with the nomination for election, election, or retention of
any person to or in public office or in connection with any
question of public policy; or
(2) a payment, distribution, purchase, loan, advance,
deposit, gift of money, or anything of value that
constitutes an electioneering communication, regardless of
whether made in concert or cooperation with or at the
request, suggestion, or knowledge of a candidate, a
political committee, or any of their agents.
As used in this Section only, "expenditure" does not
include normal publication costs associated with a news story,
commentary, or editorial, but does include costs associated
with advertising related to a particular news story,

HB5977 - 2 - LRB100 23984 HLH 43071 b
commentary, or editorial.
(b) Any expenditure made by a news publication or an entity
that owns a news publication for the purpose of supporting or
opposing a public official or candidate shall be treated as an
in-kind contribution for the purposes of this Code.
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.