Proposed Chicago ethics ordinance could help prevent City Hall corruption, BGA says

The deliberate ordinance was launched ultimately Wednesday’s Chicago Metropolis Council assembly by forty third Ward Ald. Michele Smith, the chair of the Committee on Ethics and Authorities Oversight.

If adopted, the ordinance would make substantial additions to the town’s ethics legal guidelines, together with plenty of adjustments supported and beneficial by the Higher Authorities Affiliation.

It might improve penalties to attempt to stop any kind of corruption taking place in Metropolis Corridor, based on Bryan Zarou, the BGA’s Director of Coverage.

“It might tighten up the principles on patronage hires and nepotism,” Zarou mentioned. “It might additionally bar former alderman from appearing as lobbyist and lobbying on the town council flooring. Which we have seen some do.”

The BGA’s coverage staff, which operates independently of its investigative newsroom, recommends passage of the invoice as a step ahead within the effort to boost ethics in metropolis authorities.

This is a crucial step ahead for accountability and transparency,” mentioned Zarou. “At a time when a number of sitting members of Metropolis Council are beneath indictment, Ald. Smith deserves credit score for shifting the ball ahead on reform. We look ahead to this ordinance receiving a listening to within the Committee on Ethics, and we hope members of Metropolis Council will see the advantage of these much-needed reforms and advance a strong invoice to Metropolis Council for passage.”

You possibly can learn the total ordinance and BGA article right here.