Buffalo Grove weighs expanded ethics ordinance

The recent village board election has ushered in a new era in Buffalo Grove politics.

The postelection period has been marked by previously unheard of divisions among trustees, questions about possible Open Meetings Act violations and unpredictable hairpin turns in once orderly meetings.

One product of this tumult is an attempt to set a procedure to address ethical questions and behavioral standards for elected officials, expanding on the village's existing ethics ordinance.

Last week, board members were presented with a draft of a code of ethical behavior and conduct for elected and appointed officials, as well as draft modifications to the village code that call for the village to appoint an ethics commission. Such a commission would be able to investigate complaints and take disciplinary action.

Village Manager William Brimm said the board is expected to discuss both drafts in October. Comments from trustees are due on Sept. 18.

The village board has already voted to limit trustees from contacting staff members during nonbusiness hours. The restrictions were introduced by Trustee Steven Trilling and aimed mainly at Trustee Lisa Stone.

Brimm said one of the highlights of the ethics commission ordinance would be penalties for frivolous complaints, including possible prosecution for perjury if someone lies.

"I think that's an important concept," Brimm said. "It shouldn't be used for harassing people or making people's lives difficult."

Trustee Jeffrey Braiman said he had some questions about details but otherwise said a lot of work had clearly been put into what was presented to the board.

"It serves its purpose," he said. "It sets standards for us (about) conduct and a mechanism for reviewing that."

Trustee Beverly Sussman said while she does not think there is anything wrong with having an ethics ordinance, "if you say we're having one because something was done wrong, then I am very much against that."

Stone, taking credit for providing the impetus behind the proposals, said, "I'm really happy that they're taking it seriously (and) my request for an ethics commission was not cast aside."

She sought the new effort after a resident and a newspaper sought village documents related to the controversial approval of an off-track betting parlor under the Freedom of Information Act. That raised questions about whether some village board e-mails could constitute in illegal secret meeting. The village attorney has said they didn't, but the state attorney general's office is reviewing the matter in response to a complaint that was filed.

"It's important to have it," Stone said of the revised ethics ordinance. "(Attorney General) Lisa Madigan recommends it."