(A) Employees may not represent the village or identify themselves in any way as being affiliated with the village in order to do any of the following:
(1) Endorse, support, oppose, or contradict any political campaign or initiative;
(2) Endorse, support, oppose, or contradict any social issue, cause, or religion;
(3) Endorse, support, or oppose any product, service, company, or other commercial entity; or
(4) Appear in any commercial, social or nonprofit publication, or any motion picture, film, video, public broadcast, or on any website.
(B) Additionally, when it can reasonably be construed that an employee, acting in his or her individual capacity or through some unofficial group or organization (e.g., bargaining group), is affiliated with the village, the employee shall give a specific disclaiming statement that any such speech or expression is not representative of the village.
(C) (1) Employees retain their right to vote as they choose, to support candidates of their choice, and to express their opinions on political subjects and candidates at all times while off-duty. However, employees may not use their official authority or influence to interfere with or affect the result of an election or a nomination for office.
(2) Employees are also prohibited from directly or indirectly using their official authority to coerce, command, or advise another employee to pay, lend, or contribute anything of value to a party, committee, organization, agency, or person for political purposes.
(Ord. 2012-O-5, passed 4-17-2012; Ord. 2020-O-16, passed 8-18-2020)