CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Consider two options concerning regulation of conflicts of interest:
OPTION 1: Pass the ordinance amending the Naperville Municipal Code's regulation of conflicts of interest
OPTION 2: Direct staff to include access, via the City of Naperville website, to City Councilmember Campaign Committee Contribution reports on file with the Illinois Board of Elections
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DEPARTMENT: Legal Department
SUBMITTED BY: Michael DiSanto, City Attorney
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
Under New Business at its September 1, 2020 meeting, the City Council directed staff to prepare a text amendment to the Conflict of Interest section of the Municipal Code. The amendment would require the mayor and councilmembers to recuse themselves on any matter if an interested party had donated more than $500 to said councilmember's most recent campaign for local office. This change would begin with the Consolidated General Election on April 6, 2021.
First readings of alternative ordinances, one requiring recusal and one requiring disclosure, were held on November 17, 2020. By consensus, the Council directed staff to draft an ordinance requiring public disclosure if an interested party had donated more than $500 to said councilmember's most recent campaign for local office to be considered at the December 15, 2020 meeting. Council also directed staff to include an option whereby the Council may direct staff to include on the City's website access to councilmembers' Campaign Committee Contribution reports on file with the Illinois Board of Elections.
Summary of Existing Conflict of Interest Regulations for Local Public Officials
Generally, conflicts of interest are regulated by: 1) state law (Illinois Compiled Statutes); 2) local law (Naperville Municipal Code); and 3) common law. Below is a general description of applicable conflict of interest regulations from each of those areas of law.
1. State Law (Illinois Compiled Statutes)...
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