October 15, 2019
Lake County Board Approves Strengthened Ethics Ordinance
At its Tuesday, Oct. 8 meeting, the Lake County Board passed an overhaul of its Ethics Ordinance, adding new sections and renaming it the Ethics and Conduct Code. The purpose of the ordinance is to provide a framework for the ethical and legal standards that county officers and employees must follow while conducting county business.
The major changes in the ordinance include adding a new conduct section for board members, the addition of an impartial hearing officer to the ethics complaint process, and a provision that requires recusal of a board member named in a complaint from participating in any closed-door sessions about the complaint.
The new Conduct Code section spells out prohibited board member behavior. This new code prohibits members from falsely representing their own position on Board matters as that of the County’s position and includes procedures and penalties for violations of the conduct section.
“This ordinance is the culmination of about nine months of work by staff, the State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Ethics and Oversight Committee,” said Lake County Board Member and Ethics and Oversight Committee Chair Jessica Vealitzek. “Creating public trust in government is one of the most important things we can do as elected officials, and I think these important new additions to our ordinance help to do that. I’m very proud of the work we’ve done.”
“The provisions contained in the Ethics and Conduct Code help our board ensure that it is meeting its goals of providing equitable, efficient, effective and honest government,” said Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart. “I am proud of the work that the committee and staff undertook to strengthen our ordinance and help enhance an environment where county officials and employees can administer county services with integrity and objectivity, and ensure that county business is conducted in a manner that reflects the character and values of the people of Lake County.”
Read the new Ethics and Conduct Code
Watch a video of Ethics and Oversight Committee Chair Jessica Vealitzek explaining the new ordinance
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