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Article: A 'smell test' in Chicago Heights
- Article from:
- SouthtownStar (Chicago, IL)
- Article date:
- April 24, 2009
CopyrightCopyright, 2009, SouthtownStar (Chicago, IL). All rights reserved. REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED. (Hide copyright information)
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THE ISSUE: Two members of the Chicago Heights City Council are poised to vote next week for their boss to be appointed mayor. WE SAY: It's a clear conflict of interest that can, and should be, avoided.
A wide-ranging 2003 state ethics law that applies to local governments forces elected officials to separate public service from campaign activity. On that, the law is clear. But in the area of "conflicts of interest" - a stock phrase that applies to outside influences compromising decision-making - the law is silent. Conflicts of interest often are ill-defined, subjective interference. Individuals serving the public are left to determine conflicts of interest on a case-by-case basis, on ...