Ethics Code Prohibits Gifts, Requires Disclosure

After watching a former mayor go to prison and spending a year and a half drafting an ethics code to prevent future abuses, Niles has made important progress.

The village's ethics committee voted Tuesday to send its draft of the ethics code to the village board, which is expected to approve it in some form after further discussions and possible changes.

In its 15 pages, the draft document addresses every imaginable ethics conflict.

The committee's draft is divided into seven sections. Here's a brief rundown on each:

Section One: Purpose

Section One establishes that Niles officials and employees work for the good of the village, and must not accept gifts or benefits that compromise that mission.

Section Two: Definitions

Section Two lays out the definitions of terms used in the document.

Section Three: Financial Disclosure

Section Three requires officials and employees to disclose their real estate holdings, their interests in any business doing transacts with the Village of Niles, and any outside employment. 

Section Four: Conflicts of Interest and Standards of Conduct

Section Four establishes that each employee and official will treat every resident with impartiality and show no favoritism. It spells out conflicts of interest in employment, business and other areas in which employees or officials could use their positions to leverage personal financial gain. 

Section Five: Gift Ban

Section Five bans most gifts--except for those of trivial value--that could be used to influence village officials and employees.

Section Six: Whistleblower Protection

Section Six prohibits village officials and employees from taking retaliatory action against anyone who reports unethical behavior in village government. 

Section Seven: Ethics Training

Section Seven requires employees and officials to take ethics training annually. 

Section Eight: Abuse of the Code of Ethics

Section Eight prevents employees from ignoring or misusing the code of ethics.

Section Nine: Enforcement and Penalties

Section Nine empowers the village board to exact consequences for violations of the ethics code.