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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.
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.).
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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.