[5-10-2004]
A. 
The regulations of Sections 5-15 (5 ILCS 430/5-15) and Article 10 (5 ILCS 430/10-10 through 10-40) of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, 5 ILCS 430/1-1 et seq., (hereinafter referred to as the "Act" in this section) are hereby adopted by reference and made applicable to the officers and employees of the Village to the extent required by 5 ILCS 430/70-5.
B. 
The solicitation or acceptance of gifts prohibited to be solicited or accepted under the Act, by any officer or any employee of the Village, is hereby prohibited.
C. 
The offering or making of gifts prohibited to be offered or made to an officer or employee of the Village under the Act, is hereby prohibited.
D. 
The participation in political activities prohibited under the Act, by any officer or employee of the Village, is hereby prohibited.
E. 
For purposes of this section, the terms "officer" and "employee" shall be defined as set forth in 5 ILCS 430/70-5(c).
F. 
The penalties for violations of this section shall be the same as those penalties set forth in 5 ILCS 430/50-5 for similar violations of the Act.
G. 
This section does not repeal or otherwise amend or modify any existing ordinances or policies which regulate the conduct of Village officers and employees. To the extent that any such existing ordinances or policies are less restrictive than this section, however, the provisions of this section shall prevail in accordance with the provisions of 5 ILCS 430/70-5(a).
H. 
Any amendment to the Act that becomes effective after the effective date of this section shall be incorporated into this section by reference and shall be applicable to the solicitation, acceptance, offering and making of gifts and to prohibited political activities. However, any amendment that makes its provisions optional for adoption by municipalities shall not be incorporated into this section by reference without formal action by the corporate authorities of the Village.
I. 
If the Illinois Supreme Court declares the Act unconstitutional in its entirety, then this section shall be repealed as of the date that the Illinois Supreme Court's decision becomes final and not subject to any further appeals or rehearings. This section shall be deemed repealed without further action by the Corporate Authorities of the Village if the Act is found unconstitutional by the Illinois Supreme Court.
J. 
If the Illinois Supreme Court declares part of the Act unconstitutional but upholds the constitutionality of the remainder of the Act, or does not address the remainder of the Act, then the remainder of the Act as adopted by this section shall remain in full force and effect; however, that part of this section relating to the part of the Act found unconstitutional shall be deemed repealed without further action by the Corporate Authorities of the Village.
[2-6-2006]
A. 
It is the policy of the Village that its employees and elected and appointed officers should, in all cases, exercise their judgment and perform their duties with integrity and impartiality and for the sole benefit of the citizens of the Village. To this end all such persons should avoid accepting or retaining any economic benefits or opportunities which could impair or present an actual threat to the exercise of independent judgment or interfere with serving the public interest. It is further the policy of this Village that all appearances of impropriety shall be avoided. It is further the policy of this Village to require disclosure by all officials and employees of private financial or other interests in matters which may affect the Village.
B. 
The President and the Board of Trustees of the Village do hereby determine that a policy setting forth ethical principles and regulations applicable to public officials and employees is in the best interest of the citizens of the Village and will contribute to public confidence in the integrity, ability and performance of said persons.
[2-6-2006]
A. 
We believe that government service is a worthy calling. We are proud of the privilege of serving the public.
B. 
We strive at all times to improve the quality of life for the citizens of the Village.
C. 
We affirm the dignity and value of the service that we render, and strive for the constructive, creative and practical approach to our work and responsibilities.
D. 
We dedicate ourselves to the highest ideals of honor and integrity and the principles of equality for all regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental handicap, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service, and any other classifications protected by the Illinois Human Rights Act, as amended from time to time.
E. 
We believe it is our duty to continually improve our abilities and skills in order to sustain productive and quality performance.
F. 
We believe we hold office for the benefit of the public and in order to serve the public.
G. 
We emphasize a friendly and courteous attitude and seek to present a positive image of public service.
H. 
We respect and treat as privileged information accepted in trust and believe that all matters of personnel should be handled fairly according to established rules.
I. 
We believe that personal gain, either immediate or in the future, secured by the misuse of one's position is totally unethical and that our conduct in public affairs must always be above reproach.
J. 
We believe that public service is a public trust and the public interest is and must always remain our primary concern.
K. 
We believe that responsible business people and others living in the Village should not be discouraged from running for office by the establishment of unrealistic or arbitrary regulations.
[2-6-2006]
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BUSINESS ENTITY
Any business, sole proprietorship, firm, partnership, person in representative or fiduciary capacity, association, joint venture, trust, corporation or other legal entity which is organized for financial gain or profit.
CANDIDATE
Any person who has filed the requisite legal documents with the Village Clerk of the Village of Thornton for placement of his or her name on the election ballot pursuant to the Illinois Election Code for election to the office of Village President, Village Clerk or Village Trustee.
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Any information that is exempt from disclosure pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, as amended from time to time.
ECONOMIC INTEREST
Any interest valued or capable of valuation in monetary terms.
EMPLOYEE
Any individual employed by the Village, either full-time or part-time, and earning compensation from the Village because of said employment (but not including any Village official as defined herein).
FINANCIAL INTEREST
Having an interest in any business entity as a director, officer, owner, joint venturer, partner or shareholder owning more than 1% of the outstanding shares of the business entity.
GIFT
Anything given without consideration or expectation of return.
PERSONAL INTEREST
Any interest arising from one's spouse or minor children.
VILLAGE OFFICIAL
Any elected or appointed member of the Village Board, including the Village President and Village Clerk, any officials appointed to any Village Commission, the Police Pension Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, and the following persons employed by the Village of Thornton: Village Administrator, Chief of Police, Director of Public Works, Treasurer, Fire Marshal, Fire Chief, Fire Prevention Administrator, Building Commissioner, ESDA Director, Director of Planning, Zoning Administrator and Economic Development Coordinator.
[2-6-2006]
The provisions of this chapter, except where otherwise indicated, shall apply to all Village officials as herein above defined. Other employees shall be governed by the Village personnel manual and other applicable laws.
[2-6-2006]
A. 
Every Village official and all employees shall perform his or her duties impartially and without prejudice or bias for the benefit of all the citizens of the Village.
B. 
It shall be unlawful for any Village official or any employee to grant or make available to any citizen, including other Village officials and employees of the Village, any special consideration, advantage, treatment or favor beyond that which is available to every other citizen. Nothing herein shall be interpreted to preclude normal legislative and administrative decisions of the Village Board nor to any administrative decisions that are designed by their very nature to affect only individual citizens or groups of citizens or segments of the Village.
[2-6-2006]
A. 
It shall be unlawful without disclosure and abstention as provided in this chapter for any Village official to have any personal, financial or economic interest in any proposal, contract, work or business with the Village or a land use application within the Village, or a land use application for unincorporated real property located within 1 1/2 miles of the Village boundaries and included within the official Long Range Plan of the Village, as from time to time amended, or to engage in any transaction or business, either direct or indirect, which is incompatible with the proper discharge of his or her official duties in the public interest or which may tend to impair independence of judgment or action in the performance of his or her official duties. Any such interest which tends to affect the independence of judgment of said Village official shall be disclosed in detail on the public record.
B. 
The terms of this section shall not be applicable to any such interest which may be allowable pursuant to federal or state laws, rules or regulations; however, full disclosure shall be required on the public record and the Village official having such interest shall not deliberate or vote in his or her official capacity on such matter, nor participate in any discussions relating thereto.
C. 
Any Village official or employee who has an economic, financial or personal interest in any proposed action of the Village Board shall disclose the nature and extent of such interest and shall refrain from participating in the discussion before the Village Board or with any Village official or employees, and shall not provide any official opinion or recommendation to the Village Board regarding said proposed action.
[2-6-2006]
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any Village official of Thornton to use his or her official position or the Village's facilities for his or her private gain (financial or economic), nor shall be or she appear before or represent any private person, group or interest before any department, agency or commission of the Village of Thornton except in matters of purely civic or public concern. No compensation shall be paid to any Village official for any such appearance or representation other than their regular compensation due from the Village itself. The provisions of this section are not intended to prohibit his or her speaking before neighborhood groups and other not-for-profit organizations, nor to prohibit speeches being made in any other (e.g., in their business or professional) capacity other than in the capacity as a Village official. Also, the provisions of this section shall not prevent any Village official from appearing on behalf of himself or herself, his or her spouse, or any minor children before any Village body or committee, or in the Circuit Court.
B. 
It shall also be unlawful for any Village official to use his or her official position or office to gain undue influence over subordinates.
C. 
It shall be unlawful for any Village official to acquire an interest in, or an interest affected by, any contract, transaction, zoning decision, or other matter at a time when such matter has been submitted to the Village for review or is in the process of consideration by the Village.
D. 
It shall be unlawful for any Village official to request or permit the unauthorized use of Village-owned vehicles, equipment, materials, property or personnel for personal convenience, profit or political purposes, unless such services are provided as a matter of stated Village policy. De minimus use shall not constitute a violation of this chapter.
[2-6-2006]
It shall be unlawful for any Village official to use or disclose, other than in the performance of his or her official responsibilities or duties, or as may be required by law, confidential information concerning the property, government, or affairs of the Village, gained in the course of or by reason of his or her position. It shall be unlawful for any Village official to use or disclose confidential information gained in the course of or by reason of his or her official position for the purpose of advancing:
A. 
His or her financial or personal interests;
B. 
A business entity of which he or she is an owner (in part or whole), an officer or director; or
C. 
The financial or personal interests of his or her spouse or minor children.
[2-6-2006]
No Village official shall engage in, or accept private employment or render service for a private interest, when such employment or service is incompatible with the proper discharge of his or her official duties or would tend to impair his or her independence of judgment or action in performance of his or her official duties, unless otherwise permitted by law and unless disclosure is made as provided by law and in this chapter.
It shall be unlawful for any Village official to directly or indirectly solicit any gift, favor or benefit, or accept or receive any gift having a value of $100 or more, whether in the form of money, services, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, thing or promise, or any other form, under circumstances in which it could be reasonably inferred that the gift or solicitation was intended to influence him or her in the performance of his or her duties (or anything regardless of value if it in fact influences his or her vote or other action in his or her official capacity), or was intended as a reward for any official action on his or her part. Legitimate political contributions shall not be considered as gifts under the provisions of this section, nor shall reasonable hosting of affairs, travel and reimbursement of expenses that are related to official Village business, awards and honorariums. Nothing herein shall be interpreted to permit any Village official to directly or indirectly solicit, accept or receive any gift which is prohibited by the State Gift Ban Act (ILCS Ch. 5, Act 425, § 1 et seq.).
[2-6-2006]
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any Village official to, directly or indirectly, knowingly or willfully negotiate the possibility of future employment or a personal services contract (as an independent contractor or otherwise) with any person or business entity who has any matter pending before that official or before any body of which that official is a member.
B. 
It shall be unlawful for any Village official to knowingly make, participate in making or attempt to use his or her official position to influence a decision involving the interests of a person or business entity with whom he or she has an agreement regarding future employment or a personal services contract (as an independent contractor or otherwise).
[2-6-2006]
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any Village official to use or threaten to use any official authority or influence to discourage, restrain or interfere with any employee for the purpose of preventing such person from acting in good faith to carry out the person's official duties, to exercise the person's clearly defined rights or to report or otherwise bring to the attention of the Village Board any information which, if true, would constitute a work related violation by a Village official of any law or regulation, illegal use of Village funds, gross abuse of authority, use of a Village office or position or of Village resources for personal gain, or a conflict of interest of a Village official; provided, however, nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit any Village official from exercising his or her normal supervisory or other powers, specifically including the right to assign work priorities and otherwise delegating work in the normal course of his or her official functions and duties.
B. 
It shall be unlawful for any Village official to use or threaten to use any official authority or influence to effect any action as a reprisal against an elected or appointed official or employee who reports or otherwise brings to the attention of the Village any information regarding the subjects herein described in this division (B).
[2-6-2006]
A. 
The disclosure provisions of §§ 1-9-16 through 1-9-20 of this chapter shall not be applicable to any official appointed to any Village commission, nor to members of the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Police Pension Board.
B. 
Any person serving on any Village commission, the Zoning Board of Appeals or the Police Pension Board shall be required to sign a Statement Regarding Ethics upon appointment or reappointment to a Village commission as a condition of service as a Commissioner.
C. 
Any person serving on any Village commission, the Zoning Board of Appeals or the Police Pension Board who has any interest as set forth in either § 1-9-7 requiring disclosure or § 1-9-8 shall be obligated to disclose such interest pursuant to said sections and to abstain from participating in any discussion regarding, deliberating on, taking any action on or voting in his or her official capacity on said matter.
[2-6-2006]
A. 
Any candidate for public office, as defined in this chapter, shall file with the Village Clerk, within 28 days after the last date for filing the necessary legal documents to have his or her name placed upon the ballot pursuant to the Illinois Election Code, the disclosure forms required to be filed pursuant to §§ 1-9-16 through 1-9-20.
B. 
The Village Clerk shall notify all candidates for public office of the necessity of such disclosure filing at the time the candidate or candidate's representative files the requisite legal documents pursuant to the Illinois Election Code. The Village Clerk shall also deliver all necessary disclosure forms with the notice form and a copy of this chapter to enable the candidates to comply with the terms of this chapter. The notice shall also include the last date for filing of such disclosure forms with the Village Clerk. All said disclosure forms must be filed with the Village Clerk at the Village Hall. The Village Clerk shall deliver a receipt for said disclosure forms listing the disclosure forms that were filed with the Village Clerk.
[2-6-2006]
A. 
Each Village official subject to the terms of this section shall annually submit to the Village Clerk a signed and notarized statement disclosing direct or indirect ownership by the Village official, his or her spouse and/or minor children of any real property either located within the corporate limits of the Village or within unincorporated areas located within 1 1/2 miles of the Village borders and included in the official Long Range Plan of the Village. Such statements shall include the legal description, permanent real estate index number, and common address of the real estate and shall indicate the ownership interest held in such real estate.
B. 
For the purpose of this section, the ownership of a beneficial interest in real estate held in a land trust, real property being purchased by contract or real property held by a corporation, investment group or partnership in which the person filing, or the spouse of such person has any financial or economic interest, shall be considered real property owned by the Village official and subject to the disclosure requirements herein stated.
C. 
The property in which the Village official resides is exempt from this provision, unless such property contains more than one residential unit.
[2-6-2006]
Each person subject to the provisions of this chapter shall annually submit to the Village Clerk, a signed and notarized statement providing information on any financial or economic interests which said person, or his or her spouse or his or her minor children has with the Village or any business entity partially or totally within the corporate limits of the Village or doing business with the Village.
[2-6-2006]
Each person subject to the terms of this chapter shall annually submit to the Village Clerk, a signed and notarized statement disclosing any direct or indirect ownership interest which said person, or his or her spouse or his or her minor children has in any business entity. Provided, however, if such ownership interest is less than 1%, no such disclosure is required.
[2-6-2006]
A. 
Each person subject to the terms of this chapter shall annually submit to the Village Clerk, a signed and notarized statement disclosing all employment for the previous calendar year of the person and his or her spouse or his or her minor children. The statement shall include the name of the employing entity and the nature of the service rendered in the course of such employment.
B. 
The statement shall also disclose whether such person or his or her spouse performed any service for compensation for the Village other than that performed in the person's official capacity with the Village, or was associated with or employed by any business entity which received compensation from the Village for services performed on behalf of the Village.
[2-6-2006]
A. 
All disclosure statements as herein required shall be filed with the Village Clerk at the Village Hall on or before May 1 of each calendar year. Any Village official who is appointed after May 1 of any given year shall file any required disclosure statements within 30 days after being appointed. The Village Clerk shall notify all such appointed Village officials of the necessity of such disclosure filing at the time of such person's appointment and deliver all necessary disclosure forms with the notice, together with a copy of this chapter. The notice from the Village Clerk shall also include the last date for filing of such disclosure forms with the Village Clerk. In addition to the annual disclosure statements, disclosure statements will be required to be filed with the Village Clerk on a quarterly basis if a Village official, or his or her spouse or his or her minor child(ren) shall acquire any additional interests which would be required to be disclosed on the next annual disclosure statement.
B. 
The disclosure statements as described herein shall be kept for five years from the date of filing, by the Village Clerk. Said records shall be considered public records and accessible for the purpose of viewing and copying by any citizen of the Village. A request to review records shall be made in writing, with a copy of said request given to the individual whose records are to be viewed. The Village Board may establish reasonable rules and regulations governing when the records may be viewed. The Village Board may require a reasonable charge for copying any of said records. The Village Attorney is authorized to prepare the necessary disclosure forms, the Statement Regarding Ethics, as well as the complaint form and the candidate notice form for approval by the Village Board and for use under the terms of this ordinance and chapter.