CHICAGO (AP) — A measure signed into law by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn gives certain counties mostly in northeastern Illinois more authority to remove their appointees who violate ethics standards.

The Chicago Democrat says the legislation he signed Monday applies to Illinois counties with populations of 300,000 to 2 million. Those include DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane and McHenry.

The law takes effect Jan. 1. Quinn says it allows county boards to adopt a code of conduct regarding the accountability, fiscal responsibility, procurement authority, transparency and ethical conduct of county appointees.

It also sets forth a mechanism to remove county appointees who violate that conduct code.

Quinn says the legislation was drafted because county boards do not always have the authority to remove appointees due to misconduct.

The bill is SB2552.

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