New law blocks Illinois lawmakers from running for other office if convicted of certain crimes

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker signed an ethics reform plan into law Friday that will prohibit state lawmakers from running for office again if they are convicted of certain crimes. The law also creates a task force to review eligibility for public office.

"This is just one more thing that can be done to ensure the people of Illinois that we are trying to target those that would be in public office and commit crimes," said Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield).

Anyone convicted of a felony, bribery, perjury or other infamous crime as an elected official is now ineligible to hold any public office. Lawmakers could run for public office again if their conviction is reversed, they are pardoned or have their rights restored by the governor.

"It also establishes a task force that would allow for studying what types of crimes can be rehabilitated so individuals who are barred from running for office because they have a previous felony can run for office," said Rep. Curtis Tarver (D-Chicago).

The new task force will make recommendations on what criminal conduct should prevent people from holding public office in Illinois by May 1, 2025.

House Bill 351 also relieves notaries of requirements to document nominating petitions and other election papers for candidates.

Illinois State Capitol side — Mike Miletich

"While this may be important with critical documents like wills and trusts, it is not as applicable to the mass notarization of election paperwork," said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park).

Some House Republicans argue that this change is unethical due to the nature of political campaigns.

"We are now excluding lawmakers who are getting petitions, and other public officials who are getting petitions, from having to do those same things with the recording that everybody else has to do," said Rep. Amy Elik (R-Alton). "I think that's rules for thee and not for me."

Yet, sponsors said the general public and other candidates will still have the ability to challenge someone's nominating petitions.

The legislation passed unanimously out of the Senate in October. Meanwhile, 18 Republicans voted against the measure in the House last month. Representatives Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) and Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) voted present on the plan.

House Bill 351 took effect Friday and the Task Force to Review Eligibility to Hold Public Office is required to meet at least four times before submitting its report with recommendations for the governor and state lawmakers. The task force will disband on January 1, 2026.