Revolving Door Prohibition
Considering Leaving State Employment?
During your time with the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office, you may have gained valuable experience, knowledge, and professional connections that can open doors in the private sector. Pursuing new career opportunities is a natural step, but it’s important to be aware certain legal restrictions may apply.
Under Illinois law, some state employees are subject to “revolving door” prohibitions for one year after leaving state service. These rules, introduced by the General Assembly in 2009, are intended to prevent even the appearance of a conflict of interest between public service and private employment.
What Is the Revolving Door Prohibition?
The Illinois “Revolving Door” provision (5 ILCS 430/5-45) is a section of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act restricting certain current and former state employees—as well as their spouses or immediate family members—from accepting employment or compensation from a non-state entity if, within the preceding year, the state employee was personally and substantially involved in awarding contracts or making regulatory or licensing decisions affecting that entity.
The law also requires certain current and former employees to notify the OEIG when they receive an offer of employment or compensation from a non-state employer. The OEIG must then determine, within 10 calendar days, whether accepting the offer is prohibited under the law.
To initiate this review, individuals must complete and submit Form 500-Revolving Door Notification of Non-State Employment Offer. This form allows the OEIG to assess whether the proposed employment or compensation is permissible.
The prohibition may apply if, within the 12 months prior to leaving state service, you were personally and substantially involved in:
- Awarding state contracts, or issuing contract change orders with a cumulative value of $25,000 or more, or
- Making a regulatory or licensing decision
Does It Apply to You?
The Treasurer’s Office has established policies to determine which positions have the authority to make significant decisions related to State contracts or regulatory and licensing matters.
If you are unsure whether your position is subject to these restrictions, contact Human Resources or the Treasurer’s Office Ethics Officer for clarification.
Requesting a Determination from the OEIG
If your position is subject to the revolving door restrictions, you are required to obtain a “determination” from the OEIG before accepting any non-State employment or compensation for services within one year of leaving State service. This determination will confirm whether the prospective employment would violate the revolving door prohibition.
The OEIG must issue a decision within 10 calendar days after receiving all required documentation. If you disagree with the determination, it may be appealed to the Executive Ethics Commission (EEC) or the Attorney General within 10 days of the decision.
Violations & Penalties
Knowingly violating the revolving door prohibition or failing to obtain the required determination is a Class A misdemeanor. Additionally, the EEC can impose an administrative fine of up to $5,000 or three times the total annual compensation you would have earned in violation of the law.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I find out if I’m required to seek a revolving door determination?
If you are not certain whether you are required to seek a determination or have general questions concerning the determination process, please speak with the Ethics Officer for the Illinois State Treasurer or contact this Office at (217) 557-1972.
I am a Treasurer’s Office employee and must seek a revolving door determination from the OEIG. How do I start the process?
All necessary Revolving Door forms and their corresponding instructions are available on the OEIG’s Revolving Door Instructions and Forms webpage. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the OEIG at (217) 557-1972.
Does answering “yes” to any of the questions posed on the OEIG Form 500 (Revolving Door Notification of Non-State Employment Offer) automatically disqualify me from accepting the prospective employment?
No. The OEIG uses your responses to determine the level of involvement between you as a State employee and the potential employer. No one answer is singularly determinative of an outcome.
I am a current employee on the “c” list and I ‘m considering applying for a job with a company that has done business with the Treasurer’s Office. May I seek a determination now in order to determine whether I should apply for the job?
No. The OEIG does not issue advisory determinations or opinions concerning potential job offers or business arrangements. An actual job offer must be made before the OEIG will process a determination request.
Why does the OEIG need to know my date of birth?
For identification purposes.
Why is the prospective employer asked to report the amount of the annual compensation offered to me?
This information provides evidence of a firm job offer. The offered annual salary amount also assists the OEIG in determining the relationship between you as a State employee and the prospective employer. Finally, if it is determined you violated the Revolving Door provision, the salary amount can be used to establish a penalty, if appropriate.
I am a current Treasurer’s Office employee. In addition to my State employment, I wish to work part-time for a non-State entity. Am I required to seek a Revolving Door determination?
The Revolving Door prohibitions are triggered when State employees terminate, or are about to terminate, their employment with the State. The situation you are describing is generally referred to as “secondary employment” and is not covered by the Revolving Door prohibitions.
However, you will still need to notify your supervisor and Human Resources of any secondary employment. In addition, certain sections of the Procurement Code and other agency policies, including conflict of interest provisions, may apply to your situation. You can also contact the Treasurer’s Office Ethics Officer for more information and guidance.
I am the child of a Treasurer’s Office employee, and I currently live with them. I have been offered a job working for a company that does business with the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer. Do I need to request a determination?
No. The Revolving Door prohibitions do not apply because your parent has not terminated employment with the State. However, other State laws or policies, including conflict of interest provisions, may apply to your situation. If your parent were to terminate employment with the State, the Revolving Door provisions may apply. Your parent should discuss the situation with the Treasurer’s Office Ethics Officer for more specific guidance.
I work for the Illinois State Treasurer pursuant to a contract; do the Revolving Door prohibitions apply to me?
Maybe. Depending upon your employment relationship with the Treasurer’s Office, you may be treated the same as any other State employee for purposes of the Revolving Door prohibitions and notification requirements. Section 1-5 of the Ethics Act defines employee as, among other things, including “any person employed full-time, part-time, or pursuant to a contract and whose employment 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….”.
However, if, for example, you are employed through a temporary agency, the temporary agency, not the State, is your employer and the Revolving Door prohibitions do not apply to you.
I am on the C-List and intend to start my own business, do I have to complete the OEIG determination form? It is a new company and, therefore, could not have done any prior business with the State of any kind.
Yes. The OEIG has the responsibility of determining if there was a prior relationship between a former state employee and any client from whom the former employee expects to receive remuneration. If you will be self-employed, your initial submission must include a list of known clients with which you or your business intends to contract.
You must update this list during a period of one year after the termination of your state employment each time you or your company intends to contract with a new client. You must submit the names of each additional client to both the Treasurer’s Office ethics officer and the OEIG.
If I become self-employed as an independent contractor or consultant, do I need to request a determination for each new client?
Yes. You need to request a determination for each new client during the year following your termination of State employment. The OEIG must determine if you, while serving as a Treasurer’s Office employee, participated personally and substantially in the award of State contracts or in the making of a regulatory or licensing decision with respect to each new client.
I served as the chairman of a state commission that awarded a contract to the company that offered me a job. However, I recused myself from any consideration or vote on the matter; may I take a job with this company?
No. As the head of a State commission, your position is covered by section “H” of the Revolving Door provisions. Therefore, you are prohibited from receiving such compensation for one year after your termination of State employment “regardless of whether [you] participated personally and substantially in the award of the State contract or contracts.” Because section “H” employees are strictly prohibited from accepting such employment, they are not required to seek a Revolving Door determination from the OEIG.
My wife recently left her position with the Treasurer’s Office, where she was included on the “C-List”. I have just received an employment offer—do I need to request a determination from the OEIG?
No. Your wife falls under section “C” of the revolving door provision and must request a determination from the OEIG for any employment offer she receives for one year immediately after her termination. As her spouse, you are not subject to the same requirement.
However, under subsections (a) and (b) of the Revolving Door provisions, it would constitute a violation for a spouse to accept employment with an entity if their spouse was personally and substantially involved in awarding a contract or making a regulatory or licensing decision involving that entity. Therefore, the OEIG recommends that you, as the spouse, submit a request for a determination.
What if I’m not on the “C-List” but have been involved in contracts, change orders, or regulatory/licensing decisions? Do I still need to request a determination?
Yes. You should seek a Revolving Door determination to ensure compliance with subsections (a) and (b) of the Revolving Door provisions. Additionally, contact the Treasurer’s Office Ethics Officer to confirm whether your position should be included on the “C” list.
Am I or the Ethics Officer allowed to elaborate on an answer, even if the form does not provide additional space or instructions to do so?
Yes, attach additional pages if necessary. The purpose of these forms (Form 500) is to gather as much accurate information as quickly as possible. Anything you believe is relevant to the OEIG determination should be included.
The Ethics Officer can contact the appropriate department/division within the Treasurer’s Office in completing the revolving door forms. The Treasurer’s Office may also supply information different from and/or supplemental to information provided by either the employee or the potential employer.
When must the Ethics Officer submit the Form 500 (Revolving Door Notification of Non-State Employment Offer) to the OEIG?
Pursuant to the administrative code, Form 500 must be submitted to the OEIG within 5 calendar days after receiving notification from the employee.
What happens after I submit my request for a Revolving Door determination?
The OEIG has 10 calendar days to determine whether you are restricted from accepting the prospective employment or compensation offer. The time period begins to run when the OEIG receives the completed Form 500. (Revolving Door Notification of Non-State Employment Offer)
During that 10-day period, the OEIG will take steps necessary to make its determination. Such steps may include: contacting you, contacting the Ethics Officer, contacting your current or former supervisor, or contacting or researching the potential employer. Once a determination has been made, whether favorable or not, the OEIG will send a determination letter to the person making the request, to the appropriate ultimate jurisdictional authority (Illinois Treasurer), the Attorney General, and the Executive Ethics Commission.
After the determination has been issued, the person seeking the determination and the Office of the Illinois Attorney General have 10 calendar days during which to appeal the OEIG’s determination to the Executive Ethics Commission. In the event the Office of the Attorney General chooses to appeal a determination, the administrative rules state the Office of the Attorney General shall send a copy of that appeal to the applicant.
Please note: the EEC has concluded that if the last day to perform an act (such as filing an appeal) falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or State holiday, then the time period is extended until the next business day. See In re: Marcia D. Johnson, 12-EEC-012. Additional rules concerning the appeals process may be found at 5 ILCS 430/5-45(g), Ill. Admin. Code Tit. 2, §1620.610, et seq., and on the Executive Ethics Commission website.
If I plan to work for an individual or entity on a volunteer basis, receiving no fees or compensation, do I need to seek a revolving door determination from the OEIG?
No. As long as you continue to fill the position on a volunteer basis and receive no fees or compensation for one year immediately following your termination of State employment, you are not required to seek a Revolving Door determination.
I am a “C-List” employee and accepted an offer of non-state employment prior to notifying the OEIG. What should I do?
You should submit your revolving door Form 500 (Revolving Door Notification of Non-State Employment Offer) to the OEIG. The OEIG will proceed as normal and make a determination as to your eligibility. Please note the OEIG may decide to investigate your failure to provide timely notification. Such an investigation can result in a fine being levied by the Executive Ethics Commission.
Are there other Revolving Door statutes that might apply to me?
The Procurement Code has two sections (30 ILCS 500/50-30 and 30 ILCS 500/50-15) that are particularly relevant. This is not an exhaustive list of relevant statutes and/or polices, but the information may be useful for those involved in the procurement process.
- The Procurement Code at 30 ILCS 500/50-30 states in part: “Chief procurement officers, State purchasing officers, procurement compliance monitors, their designees whose principal duties are directly related to State procurement, and executive officers confirmed by the Senate are expressly prohibited for a period of 2 years after terminating an affected position from engaging in any procurement activity relating to the State agency most recently employing them in an affected position for a period of at least 6 months.”
- The Procurement Code at 30 ILCS 500/50-15 states in part: “It is unlawful for any person employed in or on a continual contractual relationship with any of the offices or agencies of State government to participate in contract negotiations on behalf of that office or agency with any firm, partnership, association, or corporation with whom that person has a contract for future employment or is negotiating concerning possible future employment.”
For additional questions regarding the Procurement Code, please see the Executive Ethics Commission’s web site: https://eec.illinois.gov/ or contact the Ethics Officer for the Illinois State Treasurer.
If I am an employee covered by section “H” of the Revolving Door provisions, must I seek a Revolving Door determination?
No. You do not have to complete the determination form if you hold a position covered in section “h.” However, some employees are unsure if their positions are covered by section “h” and, therefore, going through the determination process is a way for both the employee and the OEIG to confirm the employee’s status.
Instructions & Additional Resources
- Revolving Door General Instructions
- Explanation of Non-State Employment Restrictions
- Illinois Revolving Door Statute (5 ILCS 430/5-45) (Scroll down to view Section 5-45)
- Request for Revolving Door Training
For Further Information
For additional questions, please contact:
- Call OEIG: (217) 557-1972 or OEIG@illinoistreasurer.gov
- Executive Inspector General – Heather A. Stone (217) 557-1972 or HStone@illinoistreasurer.gov
- Ethics Officer – Laura Duque (312) 814-3081 or LDuque@illinoistreasurer.gov
- Executive Ethics Commission (EEC) – (217) 558-1393 or eec.illinois.gov
Form 500 – Revolving Door Notification of Non-State Employment Offer Form
(Form 500 is for current or former employees of the Illinois State Treasurer only)