Buffalo Grove further delays ethics ordinance

A proposed new ethics ordinance and code of conduct for Buffalo Grove trustees encountered further delays Monday.

Both matters were on the table, but discussion didn't get underway until around 11 p.m.

It became clear that a vote would be unlikely when Trustee Lisa Stone brought up a series of questions and concerns that ultimately will need to be addressed at a future meeting.

The ethics ordinance would modify rules that have been in place since 2004. The new ordinance would have added an ethics commission to address ethical violations by trustees. The panel would have been empowered to recommend penalties, which would also apply to frivolous complaints.

The code of conduct would guide trustees on appropriate behavior toward each other, village staff and the public.

Stone's questions included what would happen if complaints were lodged against the majority of the board. "You can't be your own judge and jury," she said. "That doesn't seem right."

She also suggested that the commission exclude anyone currently involved in village government, including anyone serving on a commission, to ensure objectivity.

Trustee Beverly Sussman disagreed, saying, "I do not agree that existing members of other commissions and committees are not objective. I happen to have been on a commission for over 14 years and I cannot think of one person on the commission who was not objective."

Stone also suggested the ethics panel assist the village board in identifying "hot button issues."

But Village President Elliott Hartstein said the panel was merely created to enforce laws relating to ethics violations.

Policy decisions, he said, are more properly handled by the village board.

Trustee Jeffrey Braiman expressed his irritation with Stone's last-minute concerns, considering that the deadline for trustees to submit comments to village staff has already passed.

"It's disturbing," he said. "It's already 11:30. Two and a half months ago, we were given these documents, or least a first draft, and we were asked to review them."

Stone replied, "It's not like we have been discussing the ethics ordinance all night long. It's late, and I am as tired as you are. This is a big issue and it's one that warrants enough time for discussion."

She added that "out of the blue" the board began discussing the issue of recall, which made it necessary for her to spend her time researching that issue instead of reviewing the proposed ordinances.

Stone said that in the future she will try to address issues in the manner suggested by Braiman, submitting ideas to village staff in advance of the meeting.