§ 39.22 REQUIRED FORM OF ETHICS COMPLAINT.

   (A)   Each complaint must be typewritten and filed in triplicate with the Village Clerk’s office. A complaint may only be filed with the Village Clerk under the following conditions:

      (1)   The complaint must be against an elected officer of the Village of Tinley Park who is currently serving in their elected position or against an employee who is subject to this chapter.

      (2)   The complaint must be filed with the Tinley Park Village Clerk and must be made by either:

         (a)   A resident of the village; or

         (b)   A person with any interest in land within the village; or

         (c)   A person who has any interest in any business entity in the village.

      (3)   The complaint must be based upon direct evidence or sworn statements by one or more people with actual knowledge of the facts and circumstances supporting the alleged ethics violation;

      (4)   The complaint may not be filed during the 30 calendar days immediately before a municipal election if the accused is an elected officer who is a candidate in the primary election;

      (5)   The complaint must be in writing and contain the following:

         (a)   The name and position of the elected officer or employee alleged to be in violation;

         (b)   The name, address, and telephone number of each individual who is filing the complaint;

         (c)   A description of each alleged violation of this chapter, including a reference to the section of this subchapter alleged to have been violated; sections 39.01 “Preambles; General Policy” and 39.02 “Statement of Principles” may not be used as the basis of a violation;

         (d)   With reasonable specificity, evidence supporting each allegation, which shall be provided by copies of official records, documentary evidence, or affidavits that include the required information;

         (e)   A list of witnesses that a complainant wishes to have called or interviewed, including for each witness: the name, address, and, if available, one or more telephone numbers of the witness; a brief summary of the testimony to be provided by the witness; a specific description of any documents or evidence a complainant desires the witness to produce;

         (f)   A statement that each complainant:

            1.   Has reviewed the allegations contained in the complaint and the sworn statements and documents attached to the complaint;

            2.   Believes that the complaint is submitted in good faith and not for any improper purpose such as harassing the named elected officer or employee, causing unwarranted harm to the accused elected officer’s or employee’s reputation, or causing unnecessary expenditure of public funds; and

            3.   Believes the allegations contained in the complaint to be true and accurate; and

         (g)   Signature of each complainant.

   (B)   A person filing a complaint under this chapter is not entitled to reimbursement for attorney fees or costs incurred, regardless of the outcome of the proceedings.

(Ord. 2018-O-030, passed 5-15-18)