EIU Ethics Office

Statements of Economic Interests FAQs

• Who should I contact if I received a Statement and don't feel I meet one of the above criteria?
• Who should I contact with questions on how to complete my Statement?
• Who should I call with questions about the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act with regard to the Statement of Economic Interests?
• What are the basic procedures?
• What happens if I do not file my Statement by the deadline?
• I was hired in April. Do I need to complete a Statement?
• What will happen if I send a photocopy or an unsigned Statement to the Secretary of State?
• What if I am out of the country (i.e., sabbatical) and cannot meet the deadline?
• I have always completed a Statement in the past, but did not receive one in the mail this year. I know it is the time of year when the Statement should be completed and do not want to receive a fine. What should I do, or who should I contact?
• I think I fall into one of the categories for filing listed above, but I did not receive a letter from the Secretary by the end of March?
• I can't find the Statement the Secretary of State sent me.
• How do I fill out the Statement of Economic form?

Who should I contact if I received a Statement and don't feel I meet one of the above criteria?

You should contact the Ethics Officer at 581-7249 or e-mail at: ethicsofficer@eiu.edu.

Who should I contact with questions on how to complete my Statement?

You should contact the Ethics Officer at 581-7249 or ethicsofficer@eiu.edu

Who should I call with questions about the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act with regard to the Statement of Economic Interests?

Questions related to the law should be directed to the Office of the Secretary of State at: 217-524-0309. Please note the only individuals who can change laws are the State Legislators.

What are the basic procedures?

• The Ethics Officer will work with Human Resources to compile a list of individuals required to file. The list will include home addresses for employees and will be provided to the Secretary of State.
• In March, the Secretary of State will mail the Statement of Economic Interests instructions directly to your home mailing address, which is supplied based on the mailing address listed in BANNER at 12/31.

The Supplemental Statement of Economic Interests forms will be emailed to employees at their EIU email address, along with a link and unique pin, and should be filed electronically by the May 1st deadline (May 2 for 2022). For more details related to the Supplemental Form, please visit https://www2.illinois.gov/eec/ExecutiveOrder/Pages/Home.aspx.

• Employees will complete their Statements and submit them online as directed.
• The Office of the Secretary of State will send you written confirmation in the mail that your Statement has been filed.

What happens if I do not file my Statement by the deadline?

Penalties are assessed by the Office of the Secretary of State to the late filer as follows:

• $15 for any form not filed by May 1st - the deadline (May 2 for 2022)
• $100 per day (in addition to the $15 fee) from May 16th until the date the signed original form is received and filed at the Office of the Secretary of State.
• Failure to file by May 31st will result in the employee's name being turned over to the Attorney General and may result in forfeiture of the position of employment.

I was hired in April. Do I need to complete a Statement?

Yes. Employees hired in April have until May 31st to file their Statement with the Office of the Secretary of State.

What will happen if I send a photocopy or an unsigned Statement to the Secretary of State?

The Secretary of State only accepts original signatures on Statements. As such, if you send a copy or forget to sign your Statement, it will be returned to your home address with a letter explaining the problem. Please note that if the Statement is not back at the Office of the Secretary of State corrected and completed by the deadline, a late fee will be assessed by the Secretary of State.

What if I am out of the country (i.e., sabbatical) and cannot meet the deadline?

Please write a letter, describing your circumstances and request temporary removal from the list for the current year with reinstatement for the next year. Send your letter, along with the Statement to the Secretary of State. Send your letter before the deadline. You may also send an e-mail to the Ethics Officer at: ethicsofficer@eiu.edu to discuss your particular situation in further detail.

I have always completed a Statement in the past, but did not receive one in the mail this year. I know it is the time of year when the Statement should be completed and do not want to receive a fine. What should I do, or who should I contact?

Please contact the Ethics Officer at: 581-7249 or e-mail at: ethicsofficer@eiu.edu.edu to determine whether or not you need to file this year.

I think I fall into one of the categories for filing listed above, but I did not receive a letter from the Secretary by the end of March?

Please contact the Ethics Officer at: 217-581-7249 or e-mail at: ethicsofficer@eiu.edu.edu to determine whether or not you need to file this year.

I can't find the information sent by the Secretary of State.

Please contact the Secretary of State at economicinterest@ilsos.gov. Be sure to include your question, name, and a phone number where you can be contacted, if necessary.

How do I fill out the Statement of Economic form?

Please visit this page for more information.

How do I fill out the Supplemental Statement of Economic form?

Please visit this page for more information.

Please contact the Ethics Officer:
Phone: 217-581-7249
Email: ethicsofficer@eiu.edu