A committee is suggesting that County Executive Larry Walsh appoint an ethics adviser for county employees.
The County Board’s Policy and Rules Committee also took a pass on recommending the formation of an ethics commission. On Thursday, the committee discussed issues still surrounding a state-mandated ethics ordinance passed by the board in May 2004.
The ordinance bars officials and employees, who total about 2,100, from doing political work on the job and makes it illegal for a supervisor to require an employee to do such work.
Additionally, the ordinance states that an employee who violates the prohibited political activities section could be fined $2,500 and be sentenced as long as 364 days in the county jail.
Policy and Rules Committee Chairman Richard Brandolino (R-New Lenox) said the recommendation for an ethics adviser would be soon sent to Walsh. He said he hopes that Walsh, a Democrat, will make a recommendation in time for the board’s November meeting.
The ethics adviser position has remained vacant since the board, with 20 Republicans and 7 Democrats, adopted the ethics ordinance, Brandolino said. The committee made the recommendation after revisiting issues in the ethics ordinance.
Elected officials were asked if a three-member ethics panel should be appointed. Brandolino said no elected official has indicated that there is a need for an ethics commission.
