(a) Establishment; Application. There is hereby established a Code of Conduct, as provided in the following sections, which shall apply to the performance of duties by every official, employee or agent of the City who is engaged in the award and administration of any contract or agreement supported in whole or in part, by Federal or State funds.
(b) Definitions. As used in this section:
(1) "Conflict of interest" means whenever any person, as defined herein, or any of his or her immediate family, partner or an organization which employs or is about to employ any person, his or her immediate family or partner, possesses or receives a financial or other valuable interest in a firm selected for an award of a contract.
(2) "Contract" means any written contract or agreement to which the City is a party and which is supported, in whole or in part, by Federal or State funds.
(3) "Contractor" means any party to a contract, as defined herein, other than the City.
(4) "Person" means any official, employee or agent of the City who is engaged in the selection, award or administration of any contract, as defined herein.
(c) Prohibited Acts. No person shall:
(1) Participate in the selection or in the award or administration of any contract if a conflict of interest would be created;
(2) Solicit or accept gratuities, favors or anything of monetary value from contractors, potential contractors or parties to subcontracts;
(3) Violate any applicable State or Federal statutes which govern the selection, award or administration of public contracts; or
(4) Fail to disclose to the City Legal Counsel the possibility of any conflict of interest within forty-eight hours of learning of the same.
(d) Exemption. Any person may accept a gift or gratuity without violating any of the provisions of this section if the item is of a nominal value of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) or less. A person shall not accept any amount of United States currency or coinage as a gift or gratuity.
(e) Penalties. The penalties for the violation of this section shall be as follows:
(1) An elected official shall be subject to censure by Council.
(2) An appointed official may be removed from office in accordance with and as provided in the Illinois Municipal Code or these Codified Ordinances, or be suspended without pay.
(3) An employee may be subject to the applicable disciplinary provisions provided in these Codified Ordinances.
(4) An agent of the City may have his, her or its contract or agreement with the City terminated immediately upon discovery of the violation.
(Ord. 97-19. Passed 4-21-97; Ord. 2017-56. Passed 7-17-17.)