SPRINGFIELD – To restore public trust in local government officials, State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is sponsoring a measure alongside Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford), to create a process to place local officials on administrative leave for those accused of violating their oath.

“We are ensuring that while criminal charges are pending, residents can have trust in their government to act appropriately,” Stadelman said. “This allows townships and counties the ability to remove bad faith actors within the system.”

Senate Bill 3460 creates a process in which countywide elected officials or township officers can be placed on administrative leave in the wake of a criminal charge for a crime or any offense in violation of their official oath. Specifically, this measure allows county or township boards to vote to determine if the official should be placed on administrative leave with a three-fifths vote.

The vote would then be sent to the state’s attorney for review of the crimes, and if it is determined the crimes were relevant to their duties, the state’s attorney would file a motion to place the elected official on administrative leave.

“An elected official should not remain in office after violating an oath they took that breaks the trust of their community,” Stadelman said. “This process already exists for many other offices in Illinois – it only makes sense to apply this standard across the board.”

This legislation was born out of corruption charges levied in 2020 against Winnebago County Coroner Bill Hintz. While his trial is ongoing, the coroner continued to serve in his elected position and is accused by the Attorney General of continuing to engage in additional misconduct.

Senate Bill 3460 passed the Senate Executive Committee on Wednesday and moves forward for further consideration.

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