Will County State`s Atty. Edward A. Burmila Jr. said Tuesday that a proposed ethics code for county officials lacks teeth and little can be done to increase its impact short of changing state laws.
Addressing the County Board`s Legislative Committee, Burmila said some provisions in the proposed code may go too far and others not far enough, but a county ordinance can attach no real penalties to official misconduct.
”I have nothing against this-it`s well-intentioned,” Burmila told the committee. ”But if you want to get at the heart of the matter, then let`s get at it.
”I don`t believe the county has authority to attach jail terms . . . and to my perspective, people who do these things should go to prison, not pay a $500 fine.”
He said he perceives increasing public support for tighter rules governing the conduct of public officials, but said only the General Assembly can enact a code that carries stiff penalties for violations.
The Democratic-sponsored ethics code covers conflicts of interest, gifts, use of county property, nepotism and campaign contributions. It does not specify penalties.
Meanwhile, the author of the proposal acknowledged that one provision was drawn up at least in part to plug news leaks that have miffed County Board members from both parties.
Lois Mayer (D-Mokena) said the publication of an insurance audit before it had been read by County Board members caused her to include a provision on confidentiality of county documents.
”The people of Will County are tired of these games being played at their expense,” she said.
The audit of the county`s self-funded health insurance plan for employees criticized the accuracy of claims payments and led in part to an investigation by a Will County grand jury. In its report, the grand jury said the insurance plan was riddled with politics and recommended that new auditors be called in to look for fraud.
Mayer insisted that the audit leaked to the press would have been made public eventually.
Burmila indicated that any new rules on confidentiality would not be likely to expand the county`s discretion over what can be kept secret by public officials.
”I certainly don`t feel an ordinance such as this could be used to deep- six things you simply didn`t want the public to know about,” he said.
Mayer said the recent leaks of audits and reports critical of county officials are unprofessional and have undermined public confidence.
Mayer, a first-term County Board member, submitted her proposal earlier this month to the County Board`s Executive Committee, which referred it to its committee on legislation.
Despite reports that the proposal had been permanently buried in the committee, Mayer said she is confident that the proposed ethics code will go to the board for a vote at its October meeting.
Republican leaders contend that most of the provisions in Mayer`s ethics code are already contained in several county ordinances.
