Arlington Hts. board wants ethics policy changed

Upset with an ethics policy and an ordinance that led to the resignation of three architects from the Design Commission, the Arlington Heights village board agreed Monday night that its legal staff should draft changes.

After a long discussion, the board agreed with Robin Ward, assistant village attorney, that changing the policy at Monday’s meeting would be unwise, especially since a village ordinance should also be reconsidered. Ward said she and Village Attorney Jack Siegel should be able to get the board ideas for changes within a month.

Trustee Thomas Glasgow led the charge for board members who disagreed with a ruling by Siegel. The village attorney had told officials it was a violation of policy when members of boards and commissions let someone else from their firms represent clients before village panels.

Three architects on the design commission — Ted Eckhardt, Jim Tinaglia and Kirsten Kingsley — resigned, saying they could not serve if it meant they could not do business in the village.

“I think I’m right,” said Siegel, “but that doesn’t mean the board can’t do what it wants to. I can’t see the distinction between the prohibition of an individual representing a client, then having his partner or employee doing exactly the same thing.”

Glasgow said the village was taking a stronger stand than a model ordinance issued by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and than what the Illinois Legislature sets for its own members.

“We are doing a wonderful job policing ourselves,” said Glasgow. “We don’t need to add legislation that creates issues for people who may want to come forward and serve.”

Village Manager Bill Dixon said it was a formal complaint that led to the ruling from Siegel.

“I have been part of the problem here,” he told the board. “We thought the practice that had been going on was OK, and the staff liaisons thought it was OK until Mr. Siegel clarified it.”

Most of the trustees expressed distaste for a policy that prevented part-time volunteer commissioners from doing business in the village in this economy. They pointed out that the policy itself states: “These are intended only as guides to conduct and not as rules meant to be enforced by disciplinary action.”

Trustee Tom Hayes said the board must be careful to keep the concept of avoiding the appearance of impropriety to maintain the village’s reputation.