(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)