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Did Obama violate Illinois Ethics Law?

Started by guido911, October 19, 2008, 04:31:40 PM

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guido911

I gather Obama accepted speaking fees while he was an Illinois legislator, which is against the law in Illinois.

http://www.kxmc.com/News/Nation/287374.asp

Here is the statute I think the article refers to (and yes it was in effect at the relevant time):

5 ILCS 420/2-110, Honoraria.

(a) No member of the General Assembly shall accept any honorarium.

(b) As used in this Section:

"Honorarium" means a payment of money to a member of the General Assembly for an appearance or speech, excluding any actual and necessary travel expenses incurred by the member of the General Assembly (and one relative) to the extent that those expenses are paid by any other person. "Honorarium" does not include (i) cash payments made on behalf of a member of the General Assembly to an organization described under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, (ii) an agent's fee or commission, or (iii) funds reported under Article 9 of the Election Code.

"Travel expense" means the reasonable cost of transportation and the reasonable cost of lodging and meals incurred while a person is away from his or her residence or principal place of employment.

(c) Any honorarium or honoraria accepted in violation of this Section shall be surrendered to the State Treasurer and deposited into the General Revenue Fund.
Someone get Hoss a pacifier.