Mayor Emanuel Signs Executive Orders Strengthening Ethics Rules
This afternoon, Mayor Emanuel signed three Executive Orders creating significant new ethics rules, fulfilling his campaign pledge to enhance transparency and accountability in City government. The Mayor also signed three Executive Orders on ethics originally issued by Mayor Daley.
The first Executive Order prohibits new appointees from lobbying City government for two years after leaving the Administration. Lower level employees are barred from lobbying the departments or agencies in which they work and appointees to boards and commissions are barred from lobbying the board or commission on which they sit.
The second Executive Order protects City employees against pressure to give gifts or make political contributions to their superiors, including department heads and the Mayor.
The third Executive Order prohibits City lobbyists from making political contributions to the Mayor.
Mayor Emanuel also reissued three important Executive Orders on ethics that were originally signed by Mayor Daley. These include a ban on political contributions to the Mayor from the owners of companies that do business with the City, an order requiring City employees to comply with the hiring oversight rules adopted in connection with the Shakman litigation, and an order reaffirming that it is the duty of every City employee to report wrongdoing to the Inspector General.
"Chicagoans want to see change in the way their city government does business," said Mayor Emanuel. "The Executive Orders I am signing today will bring that change by reining in the influence of lobbyists and protecting city employees against pressure from their superiors. These Executive Orders will help restore Chicagoans' confidence in their City government. My first official act as Mayor sends a clear message that all operations of City government must be guided by a spirit of public service."