General Policy 503: Definitions

Last Updated Date

The terms ‘gift’, ‘prohibited source’, and ‘staff member’, whether used in the singular or plural form and as used in this policy, have the meaning as defined in the state’s Gift Ban Act, 5 ILCS 425/1 et seq., as listed below: 

Staff member means all full-time, part-time, and contractual staff, appointed and elected officials, and directors of a governmental entity.

Gift means any gratuity, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, forbearance, or other tangible or intangible item having monetary value including, but not limited to, cash, food and drink, and honoraria for speaking engagements related to or attributable to government employment or the official position of a staff member, officer, or judge.

Prohibited source means any person or entity who:

  1. Is seeking official action (i) with the member or officer or (ii) in the case of a staff member, with the member, officer, governmental entity, or other staff directing the staff member
  2. Does business or seeks to do business (i) with the member or officer or (ii) in the case of a staff member, with the member, officer, governmental entity, or other staff directing the staff member
  3. Conducts activities regulated (i) with the member or officer or (ii) in the case of a staff member, with the member, officer, governmental entity, or other staff directing the staff member
  4. Has interests that may be substantially affected by the performance or non-performance of the official duties of the staff member or officer
  5. Is registered or required to be registered with the Secretary of State under the Lobbyist Registration Act

Adopted by the Board of Trustees December 13, 1999; Revised June 12, 2006; Updated January 9, 2012; Updated December 11, 2017