Des Plaines moves to further limit campaign contributions
Des Plaines aldermen moved to tighten their local ethics code Monday to further limit campaign contributions from businesses that get city contracts, though there was some disagreement about how far the new rules should go.
The six aldermen at Monday night's city council meeting ultimately agreed to prohibit elected officials from accepting donations from anyone who has a contract with the city worth more than $1,000 over any 12-month period. Current rules have the threshold at $10,000, and two aldermen wanted it to be zero.
The ethics code changes were approved on a first reading vote, but they are still subject to final second-reading approval Oct. 17.
"Congress has been struggling with campaign finance reform forever," said Alderman Jim Brookman. "On the local level, we'd like to stop pay-to-play politics, or even the impression of that."
Aldermen Denise Rodd and Dick Sayad pushed for an outright ban on contributions from any city contractor, though others argued such a prohibition could lead to petty politics during a campaign, or even litigation.
A 5-page list released last month by the city's general counsel and clerk detailed 273 vendors who have received payments of more than $10,000 from the city between Sept. 1, 2015, and Aug. 31, 2016.
City officials say changing the threshold to $1,000 would result in a 26-page list.
Before the rules get final approval, it's possible additional changes could be made.
Sayad suggested there be a penalty for any elected official who breaks the rules; the city's attorneys will research whether it could be a financial penalty or simply a censure by the council.
At the council's request, attorneys are also researching whether aldermen can restrict the ability of city employees and members of boards and commissions from making contributions.
Aldermen have also asked whether the rules can apply to those who aren't incumbents.
And, they may still clarify ordinance language on when the 12-month period for contributions begins and ends.