(A) Whenever used in this ordinance, the following words or terms shall have the following respective meanings unless different meanings clearly appear from the context:
(a) "City" means the City of Chicago, Illinois.
(b) "Employees" means individuals employed by the City of Chicago, either full-time or part-time.
(c) "Elected officials" means the mayor, city clerk, city treasurer, and aldermen of the City of Chicago.
(d) "Appropriation process" means any and all actions taken by elected officials and employees that in any manner relates to the appropriation of city monies, irrespective of the source of such monies.
(e) "Expenditure process" means any and all actions taken by elected officials and employees that in any manner relates to the expenditure of city monies irrespective of the source of such monies or the purpose of such expenditures.
(B) The standard of care for determining the legality of the appropriation or expenditure process of public funds is established as one of good faith. Employees or elected officials who expend or appropriate public funds shall not be personally liable for any act on behalf of the city to the extent that employees and elected officials have acted in good faith in the performance of their duties. This good-faith immunity shall be available in any action at law or equity, whether now pending or to be brought in the future, and regardless of the party initiating the action. Reliance by employees or elected officials upon the advice and opinions of the corporation counsel shall constitute good-faith performance of duties.
(Prior code § 25-13.2; Added Coun. J. 3-8-89, p. 25707)