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Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor will provide testimony to the Illinois Senate Local Government Committee supporting proposed Standards of Conduct Legislation (Senate Bill 3552) that aims to enhance transparency, responsibility and accountability of appointed government bodies, and create consistent standards for appointees across all counties.
Chairman Lawlor led an effort in Lake County to create a Codes of Conduct for the more than 300 appointed officials that serve on various boards, commissions, and other special purpose units of government ranging from drainage and fire districts, to the transportation service boards, human services boards and the Board of Review. Lawlor sought legislation and received support from State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) who sponsored the bill. It is also co-sponsored by a bipartisan coalition including: Senator Althoff, Senator Bush, Senator McConnaughay, and Senator Holmes.
Chairman Lawlor said, "My goal is to create a culture of accountability for those who we appoint to positions of public trust. We can't wait for the next scandal or golden parachute. By working proactively, we can set a clear expectation for our appointees and ensure they know what is expected of them when they are making significant policy and financial decisions that impact our communities and taxpayers."
Specifically, SB3552 would amend the Counties Code and grants permissive authority for a county board to adopt an ordinance establishing a code of conduct regarding the accountability, fiscal responsibility, procurement authority, transparency, and ethical conduct of county appointees. It also provides a removal mechanism if there is a violation of the code of conduct. It requires that prior to removal from office, an appointee must be provided with reasonable notice of any violation and a hearing before the county board, or its designee.
"If an appointed member of the Metra Board or any other important local board or commission can't meet ethical standards, there needs to be a way to remove that person," Morrison said.
The Local Government Hearing will take place Thursday at 9 a.m. at the Illinois Capitol, Room 212, in Springfield. Additionally, DuPage, Kane and McHenry counties support the legislation.
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