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(805
ILCS 5/Art. 8 heading)
ARTICLE 8. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
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(805
ILCS 5/8.05) (from Ch. 32, par. 8.05)
Sec.
8.05. Board of directors.
(a)
Except as provided in Article 2A of this Act, each corporation
shall have a board of directors and the business and affairs
of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction
of the board of directors.
(b)
The articles of incorporation or by- laws may prescribe
qualifications for directors. A director need not be a resident
of this State or a shareholder of the corporation unless the
articles of incorporation or by- laws so prescribe.
(c)
Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or
by- laws, the board of directors, by the affirmative vote
of a majority of the directors then in office, and irrespective
of any personal interest of any of its members, shall have authority
to establish reasonable compensation of all directors for services
to the corporation as directors, officers or otherwise, notwithstanding
the provisions of Section 8.60.
(Source: P.A.
88- 151.)
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(805
ILCS 5/8.10) (from Ch. 32, par. 8.10)
Sec.
8.10. Number, election and resignation of directors. (a) The
board of directors of a corporation shall consist of one or more
members. The number of directors shall be fixed by the by- laws,
except the number of initial directors shall be fixed by the
incorporators in the articles of incorporation or at the organizational
meeting. In the absence of a by- law fixing the number of
directors, the number shall be the same as that fixed in the
articles of incorporation or at the organizational meeting. The
number of directors may be increased or decreased from time to
time by amendment to the by- laws.
(b)
The by- laws may establish a variable range for the size
of the board by prescribing a minimum and maximum (which may
not exceed the minimum by more than five) number of directors.
If a variable range is established, the number of directors may
be fixed or changed from time to time, within the minimum and
maximum, by the directors or the shareholders without further
amendment to the by- laws.
(c)
The terms of all directors expire at the next annual shareholders'
meeting following their election unless their terms are staggered
under subsection (e). The term of a director elected to fill
a vacancy expires at the next annual shareholders' meeting at
which his or her predecessor's term would have expired. The term
of a director elected as a result of an increase in the number
of directors expires at the next annual shareholders' meeting
unless the term is staggered under subsection (e).
(d)
Despite the expiration of a director's term, he or she continues
to serve until the next meeting of shareholders at which directors
are elected. A decrease in the number of directors does not shorten
an incumbent director's term.
(e)
If the board of directors consists of six or more members, in
lieu of electing the membership of the whole board of directors
annually, the articles of incorporation or by- laws may
provide that the directors shall be divided into either two or
three classes, each class to be as nearly equal in number as
is possible. The term of office of directors of the first class
shall expire at the first annual meeting of shareholders after
their election, that of the second class shall expire at the
second annual meeting after their election, and that of the third
class, if any, shall expire at the third annual meeting after
their election. At each annual meeting after such classification,
the number of directors equal to the number of the class whose
terms expire at the time of such meeting shall be elected to
hold office until the second succeeding annual meeting, if there
be two classes, or until the third succeeding annual meeting,
if there be three classes.
(f)
If the articles of incorporation authorize dividing the shares
into classes or series, the articles may also authorize the election
of all or a specified number or percentage of directors by the
holders of one or more authorized classes or series of shares.
(g)
A director may resign at any time by giving written notice to
the board of directors, its chairman, or to the president or
secretary of the corporation. A resignation is effective when
the notice is given unless the notice specifies a future date.
The pending vacancy may be filled before the effective date,
but the successor shall not take office until the effective date.
(Source: P.A.
83- 1025.)
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(805
ILCS 5/8.15) (from Ch. 32, par. 8.15)
Sec.
8.15. Quorum of directors. (a) A majority of the number of directors
fixed by the by- laws, or in the absence of a by- law
fixing the number of directors, the number stated in the articles
of incorporation or named by the incorporators, shall constitute
a quorum for the transaction of business unless a greater number
is specified by the articles of incorporation or the by- laws.
(b)
If a corporation has a variable range board of directors, a quorum
shall consist of a majority of the directors then in office,
but not less than a majority of the minimum number of directors
specified for the variable range of the board unless the articles
of incorporation or by- laws specify a greater number.
(c)
The act of the majority of the directors present at a meeting
at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the board of
directors, unless the act of a greater number is required by
the articles of incorporation or the by- laws.
(d)
Unless specifically prohibited by the articles of incorporation
or by- laws, members of the board of directors or of any
committee of the board of directors may participate in and act
at any meeting of such board or committee through the use of
a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means
of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each
other. Participation in such meeting shall constitute attendance
and presence in person at the meeting of the person or persons
so participating.
(Source: P.A.
83- 1025.)
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(805
ILCS 5/8.20) (from Ch. 32, par. 8.20)
Sec.
8.20. Place of directors' meetings. Regular or special meetings
of the board of directors may be held either within or without
this State.
(Source: P.A.
83- 1025.)
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(805
ILCS 5/8.25) (from Ch. 32, par. 8.25)
Sec.
8.25. Notice of directors' meetings. Meetings of the board of
directors shall be held upon such notice as the by- laws
may prescribe. Attendance of a director at any meeting shall
constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where a
director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting
to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not
lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted
at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the
board of directors need be specified in the notice or waiver
of notice of such meeting.
(Source: P.A.
83- 1025.)
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(805
ILCS 5/8.30) (from Ch. 32, par. 8.30)
Sec.
8.30. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in the board of directors
and any directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in
the number of directors may be filled by election at an annual
meeting or at a special meeting of shareholders called for that
purpose; provided, however, the by- laws may provide a method
for filling vacancies arising between meetings of shareholders
by reason of an increase in the number of directors or otherwise,
by director or shareholder action and, in the absence of such
a provision, the board of directors may fill the vacancy. A director
elected by the shareholders to fill a vacancy shall hold office
for the balance of the term for which he or she was elected.
A director appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve until the
next meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be elected.
(Source: P.A.
83- 1025.)
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(805
ILCS 5/8.35) (from Ch. 32, par. 8.35)
Sec.
8.35. Removal of directors. (a) One or more of the directors
may be removed, with or without cause, at a meeting of shareholders
by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors, except
as follows:
(1)
No director shall be removed at a meeting of shareholders unless
the notice of such meeting shall state that a purpose of the
meeting is to vote upon the removal of one or more directors
named in the notice. Only the named director or directors may
be removed at such meeting.
(2)
In the case of a corporation having cumulative voting, if less
than the entire board is to be removed, no director may be removed,
with or without cause, if the votes cast against his or her removal
would be sufficient to elect him or her if then cumulatively
voted at an election of the entire board of directors.
(3)
If a director is elected by a class or series of shares, he or
she may be removed only by the shareholders of that class or
series.
(4)
In the case of a corporation whose board is classified as provided
in subsection (e) of Section 8.10, the articles of incorporation
may provide that directors may be removed only for cause.
(b)
The provisions of subsection (a) shall not preclude the circuit
court of the county in which the corporation's registered office
is located from removing a director of the corporation from office
in a proceeding commenced either by corporation or by shareholders
of the corporation holding at least 10 percent of the outstanding
shares of any class if the court finds (1) the director is engaged
in fraudulent or dishonest conduct or has grossly abused his
or her position to the detriment of the corporation, and (2)
removal is in the best interest of the corporation. If the court
removes a director, it may bar the director from reelection for
a period prescribed by the court. If such a proceeding is commenced
by the shareholders, they shall make the corporation a party
defendant.
(Source: P.A.
84- 924.)
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(805
ILCS 5/8.40) (from Ch. 32, par. 8.40)
Sec.
8.40. Committees.
(a)
If the articles of incorporation or by- laws so provide,
a majority of the directors may create one or more committees,
each to have one or more members, and appoint members of the
board to serve on the committee or committees. A committee's
members shall serve at the pleasure of the board.
(b)
Unless the appointment by the board of directors requires a greater
number, a majority of any committee shall constitute a quorum
and a majority of a quorum is necessary for committee action.
A committee may act by unanimous consent in writing without a
meeting and, subject to the provisions of the by- laws or
action by the board of directors, the committee by majority vote
of its members shall determine the time and place of meetings
and the notice required therefor.
(c)
To the extent specified by the board of directors or in the articles
of incorporation or by- laws, each committee may exercise
the authority of the board of directors under Section 8.05; provided,
however, a committee may not:
(1)
authorize distributions, except for dividends to
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be
paid with respect to shares of any preferred or
special classes or any series thereof;
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(2)
approve or recommend to shareholders any act
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this
Act requires to be approved by shareholders;
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(3)
fill vacancies on the board or on any of its
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(4)
elect or remove officers or fix the compensation
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of
any member of the committee;
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(5)
adopt, amend or repeal the by- laws;
(6)
approve a plan of merger not requiring
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(7)
authorize or approve reacquisition of shares,
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except
according to a general formula or method prescribed
by the board;
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(8)
authorize or approve the issuance or sale, or
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contract
for sale, of shares, except that the board may
direct a committee (i) to fix the specific terms
of the issuance or sale or contract for sale, including
without limitation the pricing terms or the designation
and relative rights, preferences, and limitations
of a series of shares if the board of directors
has approved the maximum number of shares to be
issued pursuant to such delegated authority or
(ii) to fix the price and the number of shares
to be allocated to particular employees under an
employee benefit plan; or
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(9)
amend, alter, repeal, or take action
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inconsistent
with any resolution or action of the board of directors
when the resolution or action of the board of directors
provides by its terms that it shall not be amended,
altered or repealed by action of a committee.
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(Source:
P.A. 91- 464, eff. 1- 1- 00.)
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(805
ILCS 5/8.45) (from Ch. 32, par. 8.45)
Sec.
8.45. Informal action by directors. (a) Unless specifically prohibited
by the articles of incorporation or by- laws, any action
required by this Act to be taken at a meeting of the board of
directors of a corporation, or any other action which may be
taken at a meeting of the board of directors or a committee thereof,
may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting
forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the directors
entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof,
or by all the members of such committee, as the case may be.
(b)
The consent shall be evidenced by one or more written approvals,
each of which sets forth the action taken and bears the signature
of one or more directors. All the approvals evidencing the consent
shall be delivered to the secretary to be filed in the corporate
records. The action taken shall be effective when all the directors
have approved the consent unless the consent specifies a different
effective date.
(c)
Any such consent signed by all the directors or all the members
of a committee shall have the same effect as a unanimous vote,
and may be stated as such in any document filed with the Secretary
of State under this Act.
(Source: P.A.
83- 1025.)
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(805
ILCS 5/8.50) (from Ch. 32, par. 8.50)
Sec.
8.50. Officers. A corporation shall have such officers as shall
be provided in the by- laws, each of whom shall be elected
by the board of directors at such time and in such manner as
may be prescribed by the by- laws. Officers and assistant
officers and agents as may be deemed necessary may be elected
or appointed by the board of directors or chosen in such other
manner as may be prescribed by the by- laws. If the by- laws
so provide, any two or more offices may be held by the same person.
One officer, in this Act generally referred to as the secretary,
shall have the authority to certify the by- laws, resolutions
of the shareholders and board of directors and committees thereof,
and other documents of the corporation as true and correct copies
thereof. All officers and agents of the
corporation, as between themselves and the corporation, shall
have such express authority and perform such duties in the management
of the property and affairs of the corporation as may be provided
in the by- laws, or as may be determined by resolution of
the board of directors not inconsistent with the by- laws
and such implied authority as recognized by the common law from
time to time.
(Source: P.A.
83- 1025.)
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(805
ILCS 5/8.55) (from Ch. 32, par. 8.55)
Sec.
8.55. Removal of officers. Any officer or agent may be removed
by the board of directors whenever in its judgment the best interests
of the corporation will be served thereby, but such removal shall
be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person
so removed. Election or appointment of an officer or agent shall
not of itself create contract rights.
(Source: P.A.
83- 1025.)
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(805
ILCS 5/8.60) (from Ch. 32, par. 8.60)
Sec.
8.60. Director conflict of interest.
(a)
If a transaction is fair to a corporation at the time it is authorized,
approved, or ratified, the fact that a director of the corporation
is directly or indirectly a party to the transaction is not grounds
for invalidating the transaction or the director's vote regarding
the transaction; provided, however, that in a proceeding contesting
the validity of such a transaction, the person asserting validity
has the burden of proving fairness unless:
(1)
the material facts of the transaction and the
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director's
interest or relationship were disclosed or known
to the board of directors or a committee of the
board and the board or committee authorized, approved
or ratified the transaction by the affirmative
votes of a majority of disinterested directors,
even though the disinterested directors be less
than a quorum; or
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(2)
the material facts of the transaction and the
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director's
interest or relationship were disclosed or known
to the shareholders entitled to vote and they authorized,
approved or ratified the transaction without counting
the vote of any shareholder who is an interested
director.
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(b)
For purposes of this Section, a director is "indirectly" a
party to a transaction if the other party to the transaction
is an entity in which the director has a material financial
interest or of which the director is an officer, director
or general partner.
(Source: P.A.
90- 421, eff. 1- 1- 98.)
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(805
ILCS 5/8.65) (from Ch. 32, par. 8.65)
Sec.
8.65. Liability of directors in certain cases. (a) In addition
to any other liabilities imposed by law upon directors of a corporation,
they are liable as follows:
(1)
The directors of a corporation who vote for or assent to any
distribution prohibited by Section 9.10 of this Act shall be
jointly and severally liable to the corporation for the amount
of such distribution.
(2)
If a dissolved corporation shall proceed to bar any known claims
against it under Section 12.75, the directors of such corporation
who fail to take reasonable steps to cause the notice required
by Section 12.75 of this Act to be given to any known creditor
of such corporation shall be jointly and severally liable to
such creditor for all loss and damage occasioned thereby.
(3)
The directors of a corporation that carries on its business after
the filing by the Secretary of State of articles of dissolution,
otherwise than so far as may be necessary for the winding up
thereof, shall be jointly and severally liable to the creditors
of such corporation for all debts and liabilities of the corporation
incurred in so carrying on its business.
(b)
A director of a corporation who is present at a meeting of its
board of directors at which action on any corporate matter is
taken is conclusively presumed to have assented to the action
taken unless his or her dissent is entered in the minutes of
the meeting or unless he or she files his or her written dissent
to such action with the person acting as the secretary of the
meeting before the adjournment thereof or forwards such dissent
by registered or certified mail to the secretary of the corporation
immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right
to dissent does not apply to a director who voted in favor of
such action.
(c)
A director shall not be liable for a distribution of assets to
the shareholders of a corporation in excess of the amount authorized
by Section 9.10 of this Act if he or she relied and acted in
good faith upon a balance sheet and profit and loss statement
of the corporation represented to him or her to be correct by
the president or the officer of such corporation having charge
of its books of account, or certified by an independent public
or certified public accountant or firm of such accountants to
fairly reflect the financial condition of such corporation, nor
shall he or she be so liable if in good faith in determining
the amount available for any such dividend or distribution he
or she considered the assets to be of their book value.
(d)
Any director against whom a claim is asserted under this Section
and who is held liable thereon, is entitled to contribution from
the other directors who are likewise liable thereon.
Any
director against whom a claim is asserted for the improper distribution
of assets of a corporation and who is held liable thereon, is
entitled to contribution from the shareholders who knowingly
accepted or received any such distribution in proportion to the
amounts received by them respectively.
(Source: P.A.
84- 924.)
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(805
ILCS 5/8.70) (from Ch. 32, par. 8.70)
Sec.
8.70. Kickbacks, bribes, etc. - Liability of officers or
directors. Any Corporate director or officer who commits commercial
bribery or commercial bribe receiving as defined in Article 29
of the "Criminal Code of 1961", shall be liable to
the corporation which he or she serves as officer or director
for treble damages, based on the aggregate amount given or received
plus attorneys' fees. A conviction in a criminal proceeding for
a commercial bribery or commercial bribe receiving shall be deemed
prima facie evidence of the convicted director's or officer's
liability under this Section.
(Source: P.A.
83- 1025.)
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(805
ILCS 5/8.75) (from Ch. 32, par. 8.75)
Sec.
8.75. Indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents;
insurance.
(a)
A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party,
or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending
or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in
the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he or
she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation,
or who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as
a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against
expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts
paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person
in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, if such person
acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed
to be in, or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation,
and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment,
order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere
or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption
that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which
he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the corporation or, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, that the person had reasonable cause to
believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
(b)
A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party,
or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending
or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation
to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that
such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent
of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably
incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement
of such action or suit, if such person acted in good faith and
in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed
to, the best interests of the corporation, provided that no indemnification
shall be made with respect to any claim, issue, or matter as
to which such person has been adjudged to have been liable to
the corporation, unless, and only to the extent that the court
in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon
application that, despite the adjudication of liability, but
in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses
as the court shall deem proper.
(c)
To the extent that a present or former director, officer or employee
of a corporation has been successful, on the merits or otherwise,
in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to
in subsections (a) and (b), or in defense of any claim, issue
or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses
(including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred
by such person in connection therewith, if the person acted in
good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be
in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation.
(d)
Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) (unless ordered
by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized
in the specific case, upon a determination that indemnification
of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent
is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) or
(b). Such determination shall be made with respect to a person
who is a director or officer at the time of the determination:
(1) by the majority vote of the directors who are not parties
to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum,
(2) by a committee of the directors designated by a majority
vote of the directors, even though less than a quorum, (3) if
there are no such directors, or if the directors so direct, by
independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the
shareholders.
(e)
Expenses (including attorney's fees) incurred by an officer or
director in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding
may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition
of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking
by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount
if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not
entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in
this Section. Such expenses (including attorney's fees) incurred
by former directors and officers or other employees and agents
may be so paid on such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation
deems appropriate.
(f)
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or
granted under the other subsections of this Section shall not
be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking
indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under
any by- law, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested
directors, or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official
capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such
office.
(g)
A corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of
any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent
of the corporation, or who is or was serving at the request of
the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, against any liability asserted against such person
and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising
out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation
would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability
under the provisions of this Section.
(h)
If a corporation indemnifies or advances expenses to a director
or officer under subsection (b) of this Section, the corporation
shall report the indemnification or advance in writing to the
shareholders with or before the notice of the next shareholders
meeting.
(i)
For purposes of this Section, references to "the corporation" shall
include, in addition to the surviving corporation, any merging
corporation (including any corporation having merged with a merging
corporation) absorbed in a merger which, if its separate existence
had continued, would have had the power and authority to indemnify
its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any
person who was a director, officer, employee or agent of such
merging corporation, or was serving at the request of such merging
corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this
Section with respect to the surviving corporation as such person
would have with respect to such merging corporation if its separate
existence had continued.
(j)
For purposes of this Section, references to "other enterprises" shall
include employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall
include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to
an employee benefit plan; and references to "serving at
the request of the corporation" shall include any service
as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation
which imposes duties on, or involves services by such director,
officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit
plan, its participants, or beneficiaries. A person who acted
in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to
be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries
of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in
a manner "not opposed to the best interest of the corporation" as
referred to in this Section.
(k)
The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or
granted under this Section shall, unless otherwise provided when
authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased
to be a director, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure
to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of
that person.
(l)
The changes to this Section made by this amendatory Act of the
92nd General Assembly apply only to actions commenced on or after
the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General
Assembly.
(Source: P.A.
91- 464, eff. 1- 1- 00; 92- 33, eff. 7- 1- 01.)
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(805
ILCS 5/8.85) (from Ch. 32, par. 8.85)
Sec.
8.85. In discharging the duties of their respective positions,
the board of directors, committees of the board, individual directors
and individual officers may, in considering the best long term
and short term interests of the corporation, consider the effects
of any action (including without limitation, action which may
involve or relate to a change or potential change in control
of the corporation) upon employees, suppliers and customers of
the corporation or its subsidiaries, communities in which offices
or other establishments of the corporation or its subsidiaries
are located, and all other pertinent factors.
(Source: P.A.
86- 126.)
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