For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CANDIDATE. A person who has filed nominating papers or petitions for nomination or election to an elected office, or who has been appointed to fill a vacancy in nomination, and who remains eligible for placement on the ballot at a regular election, as defined in § 1-3 of the Election Code (ILCS Ch. 10, Act 5, § 1-3).
CHAMPAIGN FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE. Any activity in furtherance of an effort to influence the selection, nomination, election or appointment of any individual to any federal, state or local public office or office in a political organization, or the selection, nomination or election of Presidential or Vice Presidential electors, does not include activities:
(1) Relating to the support or opposition of any executive, legislative or administrative action;
(2) Relating to collective bargaining; or
(3) That are otherwise in furtherance of the person’s official duties.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. The same meaning as that term is defined in § 3 of the State Public Labor Relations Act (ILCS Ch. 5, Act 315, § 3).
COMPENSATED TIME. With respect to an employee, any time worked by or credited to the employee that counts toward any minimum work time requirement imposed as a condition of his or her employment, but for the purposes of this chapter, does not include any designated holidays, vacation periods, personal time, compensatory time off or any period when the employee is on a leave of absence. With respect to officers or employees whose hours are not fixed, COMPENSATED TIME includes any period of time when the officer is on premises under the control of the employer and any other time when the officer or employee is executing his or her official duties, regardless of location.
COMPENSATORY TIME OFF. Authorized time off earned by or awarded to an employee to compensate in whole or in part for time worked in excess of the minimum work time required of that employee as a condition of his or her employment.
CONTRIBUTION. The same meaning as that term is defined in § 9-1.4 of the Election Code (ILCS Ch. 10, Act 5, § 9-1.4).
EMPLOYEE. A person employed by the county, whether on a full-time or part-time basis or pursuant to a contract, whose duties are subject to the direction and control of an employer with regard to the material details of how the work is to be performed, but does not include an independent contractor.
EMPLOYER. The County of DeWitt.
GIFT. 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 an officer or employee.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Any period during which an employee does not receive:
(1) Compensation for employment;
(2) Service credit towards pension benefits; and
(3) Health insurance benefits paid for by the employer.
OFFICER. A person who holds, by election or appointment, an office created by statute or ordinance, regardless of whether the officer is compensated for service in his or her official capacity.
POLITICAL ACTIVITY. Any activity in support of or in connection with any campaign for elective office or any political organization, but does not include activities:
(1) Relating to the support or opposition for any executive, legislative or administrative action;
(2) Relating to collective bargaining; or
(3) That are otherwise in furtherance of the person’s official duties.
POLITICAL ORGANIZATION. A party, committee, association, fund or other organization (whether or not incorporated) that is required to file a statement of organization with the State Board of Elections or a County Clerk under § 9-3 of the Election Code (ILCS Ch. 10, Act 5, § 9-3), but only with regard to those activities that require filing with the State Board of Elections or a County Clerk.
PROHIBITED POLITICAL ACTIVITY.
(1) Preparing for, organizing or participating in any political meeting, political rally, political demonstration or other political event;
(2) Soliciting contributions, including, but not limited to, the purchase of, selling, distributing or receiving payment for tickets for any political fundraiser, political meeting or other political event;
(3) Soliciting, planning the solicitation of or preparing any document or report regarding anything of value intended as a campaign contribution;
(4) Planning, conducting or participating in a public opinion poll in connection with a campaign for elective office or on behalf of a political organization for political purposes or for or against any referendum question;
(5) Surveying or gathering information from potential or actual voters in an election to determine probable vote outcome in connection with a campaign for elective office or on behalf of a political organization for political purposes or for or against any referendum question;
(6) Assisting at the polls on Election Day on behalf of any political organization or candidate for elective office or for or against any referendum question;
(7) Soliciting votes on behalf of a candidate for elective office or a political organization or for or against any referendum question or helping in an effort to get voters to the polls;
(8) Initiating for circulation, preparing, circulating, reviewing or filing any petition on behalf of a candidate for elective office or for or against any referendum question;
(9) Making contributions on behalf of any candidate for elective office in that capacity or in connection with a campaign for elective office;
(10) Preparing or reviewing responses to candidate questionnaires;
(11) Distributing, preparing for distribution or mailing campaign literature, campaign signs or other campaign material on behalf of any candidate for elective office or for or against any referendum question;
(12) Campaigning for any elective office or for or against any referendum question;
(13) Managing or working on a campaign for elective office or for or against any referendum question;
(14) Serving as a delegate, alternate or proxy to a political party convention; and
(15) Participating in any recount or challenge to the outcome of any election.
PROHIBITED SOURCE. Any person or entity who:
(1) Is seeking official action:
(a) By an officer; or
(b) By an employee, or by the officer or another employee directing that employee.
(2) Does business or seeks to do business:
(a) With the officer; or
(b) With an employee, or with the officer or another employee directing that employee.
(3) Conducts activities regulated:
(a) By the officer; or
(b) By an employee, or by the officer or another employee directing that employee.
(4) Has interests that may be substantially affected by the performance or non-performance of the official duties of the officer or employee.
(Prior Code, § 40.01) (Res. passed 5-20-2004)