50 ILCS 135/ Local Governmental Employees Political Rights Act. - Illinois Statutes

(50 ILCS 135/1) (from Ch. 85, par. 7601)     Sec. 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Local Governmental Employees Political Rights Act. (Source: P.A. 87‑385.)

(50 ILCS 135/5) (from Ch. 85, par. 7605)     Sec. 5. Definition; political rights. "Political rights" include, without limitation, the following political activities: to petition, to make public speeches, to campaign for or against political candidates, to speak out on questions of public policy, to distribute political literature, to make campaign contributions, and to seek public office. (Source: P.A. 87‑385.)

(50 ILCS 135/10) (from Ch. 85, par. 7610)     Sec. 10. Political rights protected.     (a) No unit of local government or school district may make or enforce any rule or ordinance that in any way inhibits or prohibits any of its employees from exercising the employee's political rights.     (b) No employee of a unit of local government or school district may (i) use his or her official position of employment to coerce or inhibit others in the free exercise of their political rights or (ii) engage in political activities while at work or on duty. (Source: P.A. 87‑385.)

    (50 ILCS 135/12)
    Sec. 12. Elective and appointed office.
    (a) A member of any fire department or fire protection district may:
        (1) be a candidate for elective public office and

serve in that public office if elected;

(2) be appointed to any public office and serve in

that public office if appointed; and

(3) as long as the member is not in uniform and not

on duty, solicit votes and campaign funds and challenge voters for the public office for which the member is a candidate.

(b) A firefighter who is elected to the Illinois General Assembly shall, upon written application to the employer, be granted a leave of absence without compensation during his or her term of office. (Source: P.A. 94‑316, eff. 7‑25‑05; 95‑142, eff. 8‑13‑07.)

(50 ILCS 135/15) (from Ch. 85, par. 7615)     Sec. 15. Home rule. A home rule unit may not regulate employee political rights in a manner inconsistent with this Act. This Section is a limitation under subsection (i) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution on the concurrent exercise by home rule units of powers and functions exercised by the State. (Source: P.A. 87‑385.)

(50 ILCS 135/105) (from Ch. 85, par. 7649)     Sec. 105. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law. (Source: P.A. 87‑385.)