ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS

ILLINOIS LAW ENFORCEMENT POLYGRAPH ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of the corporation is Illinois Law Enforcement Polygraph Association (the “Association” or “ILEPA”).

ARTICLE II – DURATION

The period of duration of the Association is perpetual.

ARTICLE III – PURPOSE AND POWERS

3.1 Purpose

The Association is organized as a nonprofit professional association under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code and is not organized for profit. (Currently in application status for IRS 1024).

The purposes of the Association include:

• Promoting the common professional interests of law enforcement polygraph examiners in the State of Illinois;
• Advancing education, training, and professional development related to polygraph examination practices;
• Encouraging ethical standards, best practices, and professional competency in the administration of polygraph examinations;
• Providing a forum for collaboration, information exchange, and continuing education among qualified law enforcement polygraph professionals;
• Supporting lawful, evidence-based polygraph practices consistent with applicable statutes, professional standards, and agency policies.

3.2 Powers

The Association shall have all powers permitted to nonprofit corporations under the Illinois General Not For Profit Corporation Act, including but not limited to the power to:

• Conduct educational programs, conferences, workshops, and training events;
• Collect membership dues and assessments;
• Accept limited sponsorships and voluntary contributions consistent with Section 501(c)(6) (currently in progress of 1024 IRS application);
• Enter into contracts and agreements necessary to further the Association’s purposes;
• Adopt bylaws, policies, and procedures governing its internal affairs.

No part of the Association’s net earnings shall inure to the benefit of any private individual.

ARTICLE IV – NONPROFIT AND TAX STATUS LIMITATIONS

The Association shall be operated exclusively for purposes consistent with Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Association shall not:

• Engage in activities not permitted to organizations exempt under Section 501(c)(6);
• Operate for the purpose of generating profit for private individuals;
• Provide improper private benefit or engage in prohibited inurement.

ARTICLE V – MEMBERSHIP

The Association shall have members, the qualifications, rights, and obligations of which shall be established in the Bylaws.

Membership may include categories such as active, affiliate, retired, or other classifications as determined by the Board of Directors, provided all membership structures further the Association’s exempt purposes.

Eligibility: Open to law‑enforcement polygraph examiners and credibility‑assessment practitioners who comply with applicable laws and APA standards. Non‑Illinois examiners welcome. Illinois license required only when practicing in Illinois.

Vetting: As part of its membership vetting and quality-assurance process, the Illinois Law Enforcement Polygraph Association (ILEPA) reserves the right to request supplemental materials from applicants, which may include submission of a recorded mock examination, test data, or a video demonstration of polygraph procedures.

This review is conducted solely for association membership and professional development purposes, with the goal of promoting high standards of practice among law-enforcement polygraph examiners.

ILEPA does not license, certify, regulate, or discipline polygraph examiners. Licensing and regulatory authority remain exclusively with the appropriate state governing bodies and statutory agencies.

Membership Classes: Full (voting), Associate/Affiliate (non‑voting), Honorary/Emeritus (non‑voting). Rights defined by Board policy.

Admission: Requires Board approval; unanimous vote applies to initial admission only unless Board policy states otherwise.

Dues: Set by Board; non‑payment may result in suspension. Members must be paid in full by May 31^st of each year.

ARTICLE VI – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

6.1 Statutory Directors

The Association shall be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of no fewer than three (3) directors, as required by Illinois law. These directors shall be natural persons elected or appointed in accordance with the Bylaws.

6.2 Director Authority

The Board of Directors shall manage the affairs of the Association and shall have authority to:

• Establish policies and procedures;
• Approve budgets and expenditures;
• Appoint officers and committees;
• Oversee compliance with legal, ethical, and professional standards.

ARTICLE VII – OFFICERS AND LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

The Association shall have officers and leadership positions as set forth in the Bylaws, which may include but are not limited to the following named leadership roles:

• Chair
• Vice Chair
• Administrative Director
• Finance Director
• Operations Director

These positions may be held by members of the Board of Directors or other qualified individuals as permitted by the Bylaws. The existence of these titles does not alter the statutory requirement that the Association maintain a minimum of three directors.

ARTICLE VIII – SPONSORSHIPS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

The Association is authorized to accept limited sponsorships and voluntary contributions from individuals, businesses, vendors, and organizations, provided that:

• Such support advances the Association’s exempt purposes and common professional interests;
• Sponsorships and contributions are incidental and cost-offsetting in nature and not operated as profit-making activities;
• Sponsorship acknowledgment is limited to recognition of name or logo and does not constitute endorsement of any product or service;
• All sponsorship and contribution activities are conducted in compliance with applicable laws and IRS regulations governing Section 501(c)(6) organizations.

Detailed rules governing sponsorships and contributions shall be set forth in Board-adopted policies.

ARTICLE IX – REGISTERED AGENT AND OFFICE

The name and address of the registered agent and registered office shall be as stated in the Association’s initial filing and as may be amended from time to time in accordance with Illinois law.

ARTICLE X – DISSOLUTION

Upon dissolution of the Association, after payment or provision for payment of all liabilities, the remaining assets shall be distributed to another nonprofit organization or organizations organized and operated for purposes consistent with Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code, as determined by the Board of Directors.

No assets shall be distributed to any private individual.

ARTICLE XI – INCORPORATOR

The name and address of the incorporator shall be as stated in the Articles filed with the Illinois Secretary of State.

POLICIES & STANDARDS MANUAL

SECTION 1 — AUTHORITY & DISCLAIMER

Policies adopted under Bylaws authority. Nothing herein creates contractual, employment, or tenure rights.

SECTION 2 — MEMBERSHIP VETTING

Applicants must verify credentials, APA compliance, and licensure where required. Board may request documentation or demonstration. Unanimous vote by the board applies to initial admission only.

SECTION 3 — MEMBERSHIP CLASSES & VOTING

Full Members only may vote.

SECTION 4 — ETHICS & STANDARDS

APA standards adopted by reference. Members must comply with all applicable laws.

SECTION 5 — COMPETENCY REVIEW

Triggers: credible concerns regarding misconduct, deviations from standards, deficiencies.

Peer Review: Review of materials by qualified peers.

Remediation: Education, mentorship, retraining.

Conditional Mock Exams: Used when peer review cannot resolve concerns; educational only, not licensure or certification.

SECTION 6 — DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Sanctions include warning, remediation, suspension, or termination. Notice and opportunity to respond provided.