Cook County employees to get ethics training

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle Monday imposed mandatory ethics training on all employees under her control, issuing her second executive order as part of her 100 Day Reform Initiative.

The order applies to all 2,000 county employees working under the office of the president, including the Health & Hospitals System and the Forest Preserve District, as well as political appointees.

Previously, only about 500 elected officials, their staffs and county employees were required to take ethics training.

“We're building a culture of transparency, openness and accountability,” Preckwinkle said, “and this is an important step in that process.”

Within 90 days, all employees will have to be instructed in the Cook County Code of Ethical Conduct, and they will also have to undergo annual retraining sessions.

“It's always helpful for people to know what the rules are,” Preckwinkle added.

Preckwinkle urged other county elected officials to adopt similar mandatory training programs for their employees.