Illinois Blind Trust Agreement is a legal document designed to shield beneficiaries from any potential conflicts of interest arising from their financial holdings. It is created in accordance with the Blind Trust Act of Illinois and is widely used by individuals, especially elected officials and public servants, who want to maintain impartiality in decision-making processes. A Blind Trust Agreement allows beneficiaries to transfer their assets, investments, and financial interests into the trust, which is then managed by an independent trustee. The trustee is responsible for the day-to-day management of the trust's assets, such as buying or selling stocks, bonds, or other investments, without the beneficiary's knowledge or involvement. By keeping the beneficiary unaware of specific transactions, the agreement ensures that conflicts of interest are minimized or eliminated entirely. The Illinois Blind Trust Agreement is primarily utilized by individuals who hold influential positions, as it helps prevent any potential accusations of self-dealing or biased decision-making. The agreement instills confidence in the public, assuring them that the beneficiary's personal financial interests will not influence their actions while serving in their respective roles. There are two main types of Blind Trust Agreements commonly used in Illinois: 1. Revocable Blind Trust Agreement: This type of agreement allows the beneficiary to retain some control and make changes or revoke the trust at any given time. Although the beneficiary may not have complete knowledge about specific trust activities, they have the flexibility to modify the trust's terms or replace the trustee if desired. 2. Irrevocable Blind Trust Agreement: In this type of agreement, the beneficiary transfers their assets into the trust, relinquishing all control and decision-making power. Once the assets are transferred, the beneficiary has no say or knowledge of the trust's activities. An independent trustee manages the trust without any involvement from the beneficiary, thus ensuring complete separation of personal interests from professional duties. In summary, the Illinois Blind Trust Agreement serves as a legal mechanism for public figures to mitigate conflicts of interest. It allows beneficiaries to transfer their financial holdings to an independent trustee, ensuring a fair and unbiased decision-making process. The revocable and irrevocable Blind Trust Agreements are the two main types utilized in Illinois, offering varying degrees of control and involvement for beneficiaries.