(a) An officer or agent of, or person employed by the State or a county, municipality, supervisory union school district, or public institution in this State, who, being authorized, individually or as a member of a board or commission or other governmental entity, to grant a license, permit, or other authorization or thing of value, shall not corruptly, directly or indirectly, ask, demand, exact, solicit, seek, accept, receive, or agree to receive for himself or herself or for another, any benefit from a person who applies for a license, permit, or other authorization or thing of value, nor shall a person corruptly give or offer such benefit.

(b) A person who violates this section shall, if the value of the benefit is less than $500.00, be imprisoned not more than two years or fined not more than $5,000.00, or both. A person who violates this section shall, if the value of the benefit is $500.00 or more, be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $10,000.00, or both. (Added 1987, No. 48, § 4.)