Kane County likely to retain former ethics adviser to navigate new law

After months of work to pass a new Kane County ethics law, the person who will navigate elected officials' away from any potential ethical violations will most likely be the same person advising them before the new law took effect.

County board members on the Human Services Committee recommended keeping retired Chief Judge Gene Nottolini on as the ethics adviser at a special meeting Wednesday. The committee selected Nottolini from a pool of three applicants, county board member Sylvia Leonberger said.

“We wanted someone with knowledge of the law,” Leonberger said. “And he seems to be enthusiastic about the new regulations.”

The recommendation will go forward, but Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay is the person who will appoint the new ethics adviser.

County board member Jim Mitchell was one of the leading voices of the new ethics law. He did not attend Wednesday's meeting, but later said the role the ethics adviser plays in the new law is minimal.

“Really, the adviser isn't important,” Mitchell said. “It all depends on what the state's attorney does with any complaints or possible violations.”

Starting Dec. 1, that person is Joe McMahon. McConnaughay recently appointed McMahon to replace Kane County State's Attorney John Barsanti, who was recently appointed a judge. The state's attorney is responsible for deciding whether or not to prosecute any ethical violations.