Ethics

Mission

The Board of Ethics was established in 1987 to administer and enforce the Governmental Ethics and Campaign Financing Ordinances (Chapters 2-156 and 2-164 of the Municipal Code of Chicago).

The Ordinances regulate the conduct of:

City employees;
Elected officials;
Appointed officials;
Lobbyists;
City vendors; and,
Other persons who interact with City agencies and personnel.

The Ordinances also cover several major subject areas:

(1) the code of conduct,

(2) financial disclosure,

(3) lobbyist registration, and

(4) campaign financing limitations

The Board's mission is to

Enhance public confidence in the administration of City government by educating persons subject to the Ordinances and the public about the standards imposed by the Ordinances;
Interpret the Ordinances and give personal guidance to those seeking it;
Regulate the conduct of persons subject to the Ordinances; and,
Investigate complaints that persons subject to the Ordinances have violated them.