§ 50-21 — Bond issuances

(a) A State agency shall not enter into a contract with respect to the issuance of bonds or other securities by the State or a State agency with any entity that uses an independent consultant. As used in this subsection, "independent consultant" means a person used by the entity to obtain or retain securities business through direct or indirect communication by the person with a State official or employee on behalf of the entity when the communication is undertaken by the person in exchange for or with the understanding of receiving payment from the entity or another person. "Independent consultant" does not include (i) a finance professional employed by the entity or (ii) a person whose sole basis of compensation from the entity is the actual provision of legal, accounting, or engineering advice, services, or assistance in connection with the securities business that the entity seeks to obtain or retain. (b) Prior to entering into a contract with a State agency with respect to the issuance of bonds or other securities by the State or a State agency, a contracting party subject to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board's Rule G-37, or a successor rule, shall include a certification that the contracting entity is and shall remain for the duration of the contract in compliance with the Rule's requirements for reporting political contributions. Subsequent failure to remain in compliance shall make the contract voidable by the State. (c) If a federal agency finds that an entity has knowingly violated in Illinois the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board's Rule G-37 (or any successor rule) with respect to the making of prohibited political contributions or payments, then the chief procurement officer shall impose a penalty that is at least twice the fine assessed against that entity by the federal agency. The chief procurement officer shall also bar that entity from participating in any State agency contract with respect to the issuance of bonds or other securities for a period of one year. The one-year period shall begin upon the expiration of any debarment period imposed by a federal agency. If no debarment is imposed by a federal agency, then the one-year period shall begin on the date the chief procurement officer is advised of the violation. If a federal agency finds that an entity has knowingly violated in Illinois the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board's Rule G-38 (or any successor rule) with respect to the prohibition on obtaining or retaining municipal securities business, then the chief procurement officer shall bar that entity from participating in any State agency contract with respect to the issuance of bonds or other securities for a period of one year. The one-year period shall begin upon the expiration of any debarment period imposed by a federal agency. If no debarment is imposed by a federal agency, then the one-year period shall begin on the date the chief procurement officer is advised of the violation. (d) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to apply retroactively, but shall apply prospectively on and after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly. (Source: P.A. 96-795, eff. 7-1-10 (see Section 5 of P.A. 96-793 for the effective date of P.A. 96-795) .)