CHAPTER 2-156
GOVERNMENTAL ETHICS

Article I.  General

2-156-005   Code of conduct.

2-156-010   Definitions.

2-156-015   Ethics pledge – When required.

2-156-017   Ethics officers.

Article II.  Substantive Code of Conduct Provisions

Part 1.  Duty to Report and Whistleblower Protection

2-156-018   Duty to report corrupt or unlawful activity.

2-156-019   Whistleblower protection.

2-156-020   Fiduciary duty.

Part 2.  Conflicts of Interest and Improper Influence

2-156-030   Improper influence.

2-156-040   Reserved.

2-156-050   Reserved.

2-156-060   Unauthorized use of real or personal city property.

2-156-070   Use or disclosure of confidential information – Exceptions.

2-156-080   Conflicts of interest; appearance of impropriety.

2-156-090   Representation of other persons.

2-156-100   Post-employment restrictions on assistance and representation.

2-156-105   Post-employment restrictions on lobbying.

2-156-110   Interest in city business.

2-156-111   Prohibited conduct.

2-156-115   Time records for aldermanic staff.

2-156-120   Contract inducements.

2-156-130   Employment of relatives or domestic partners.

2-156-135   Prohibited political activities.

2-156-140   Solicitation or acceptance of political contributions and membership on political fundraising committees.

Part 3.  Gifts and Other Favors

2-156-142   Offering, receiving and soliciting of gifts or favors.

2-156-143   Employee-to-employee gifts.

2-156-144   Disposition of improper gifts.

Part 4.  Ethics Training

2-156-145   Ethics and sexual harassment education.

2-156-146   Lobbyist ethics education seminar.

2-156-148   Education program.

Part 5.  Sexual Harassment

2-156-149   Sexual harassment by officials.

Article III.  Financial Disclosure

2-156-150   Statements of financial interest.

2-156-160   Content of statements.

2-156-170   Form for statement of financial interests.

2-156-180   Filing of statements.

2-156-190   Failure to file statement by deadline.

2-156-200   Failure to file financial statements – Elected officials.

Article IV.  Lobbyist Registration

2-156-210   Persons required to register.

2-156-220   Persons or entities not required to register.

2-156-230   Information required of registrants.

2-156-240   Amendment of registration statements.

2-156-245   Failure to register.

2-156-250   Reports of lobbying activities.

2-156-260   Inactive lobbyists.

2-156-270   Failure to file reports.

2-156-280   Termination of lobbying.

2-156-290   Access to information.

2-156-300   Contingent fees.

2-156-305   Retaining and employing lobbyists who have failed to register.

2-156-308   Duty to report persons who have failed to register.

Article V.  Board of Ethics

2-156-310   Appointment of members.

2-156-320   Political activities of board members and certain employees.

2-156-330   Chair and vice chair.

2-156-340   Removal of members.

2-156-350   Meetings.

2-156-360   Records.

2-156-370   Compensation.

2-156-380   Powers and duties.

2-156-385   Probable cause finding.

2-156-390   Reserved.

2-156-392   Hearing on the merits – Fines.

2-156-395   Reserved.

2-156-396   Request for reconsideration and appeal.

2-156-400   Confidentiality.

2-156-401   Disclosure of confidential information.

2-156-402   Waivers.

2-156-405   Reserved.

2-156-408   Reserved.

2-156-420   Reserved.

Article VI.  Campaign Financing

2-156-425   Contributions on city property.

2-156-430   Reserved.

2-156-435   Anonymous and pseudonymous contributions.

2-156-440   Reserved.

2-156-445   Limitation of contributing to candidates and elected officials.

2-156-450   Reserved.

2-156-455   Cash contributions.

2-156-450   Reserved.

Article VII.  Penalties for Violation

2-156-465   Sanctions.

2-156-470   Reserved.

2-156-475   Reserved.

2-156-480   Reserved.

2-156-485   Other remedies.

2-156-495   Relationship to other laws.

2-156-500   Sanctions applicable to board of ethics.

2-156-505   Training and filing violations – Executive director's authority.

Article VIII.  Miscellaneous

2-156-510   Invalid actions.

2-156-520   Access to list of current contractors.

2-156-530   Annual public hearing on ethics.

ARTICLE I. GENERAL (2-156-005 et seq.)

2-156-005 Code of conduct.

   (a)   The code of conduct set forth in this section shall be aspirational and shall guide the conduct of every official and employee of the city. All officials and employees of the city shall:

      (1)   remember that they are public servants who must place loyalty to the federal and Illinois constitutions, laws, and ethical principles above their private gain or interest.

      (2)   give a full day's work for a full day's pay.

      (3)   put forth honest effort in the performance of their duties.

      (4)   treat members of the public with respect and be responsive and forthcoming in meeting their requests for information.

      (5)   act impartially in the performance of their duties, so that no private organization or individual is given preferential treatment.

      (6)   refrain from making any unauthorized promises purporting to bind the city.

      (7)   never use any nonpublic information obtained through the performance of city work for private gain.

      (8)   engage in no business or financial transaction with any individual, organization or business that is inconsistent with the performance of their city duties.

      (9)   protect and conserve city property and resources, and use city property and resources only for authorized purposes or activities.

      (10)   disclose waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption to the appropriate authorities.

      (11)   adhere to all applicable laws and regulations that provide equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or handicap.

      (12)   not engage in, encourage, or permit – by action or inaction – behavior constituting sexual harassment of another City Official or employee.

   (b)   At the time of employment or becoming a city official, every city official or employee shall sign, in a form prescribed by the board of ethics, a commitment to follow the city's code of conduct set forth in this section. The department of human resources shall administer such commitment and provide a copy of the commitment to each employee at the time of hiring. The board shall administer such commitment and provide a copy of the commitment to each city official at the time of the swearing in or appointment of the official.

   (c)   This section is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the city, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

(Added Coun. J. 7-25-12, p. 31123, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-17, p. 58447, § 1)