Glen Ellyn looks at ethics ordinance

Glen Ellyn’s board of trustees voted 5-0 Monday night to move forward on an ethics ordinance two years in the making. One board member, Trustee Pete Ladesic, voted present.

The action taken was only a straw vote; an official vote could be taken at the board’s Feb. 28 meeting.

The ordinance would establish rules for elected or appointed officials and village employees to guard against conflicts of interest and undue influence, as well as other regulations.

Trustee Michelle Thorsell, one of the legislation’s original supporters, said the ordinance is not perfect, but she has been willing to compromise.

“The message we are conveying ... is this board is serious about providing an ethical government where deals are not being made behind the scenes and public officials are not abusing their power,” Thorsell said.

Ladesic, who says he is still undecided on the ordinance, said he was concerned with how the rules could be interpreted, and that there’s a risk of having to defend yourself in court with “the mere accusation of wrongdoing.”

“It doesn’t address who has the burden of proof,” Ladesic said.

During a 2½-hour discussion, trustees offered amendments tweaking the ordinance’s language. The most notable change was an adjustment to fines for those convicted in court of an ethics violation.

The draft ordinance now states a person could be fined up to $750 for a violation, but that there is no minimum fine. Previously, the minimum was $250.

Village President Mark Pfefferman broke a 3-3 tie to remove the lower limit, with Trustees Ladesic, Carl Henninger and Phil Hartweg in support, and Trustees Thorsell, Peter Cooper and James Comerford opposed.

The ordinance would take effect 90 days after final passage, or 30 days after an ethics officer is appointed and confirmed by the board, whichever is sooner. Trustees Cooper and Thorsell voted to keep the original effective date to be 10 days after passage.