In The Footsteps Of Lincoln

The Illinois Administrator has filed a complaint alleging ethical violation by an Springfield City alderman:

As an alderman, Respondent became one of 10  aldermen who, along with the mayor, formed the legislative branch of the city  government and exercised the powers and duties of that branch of government.  Those powers and duties included, among other powers and duties, the approval of  line-item budgets for city departments, including the police department; the  passage or amendment of ordinances that govern the structure and operations of  city departments, including the police department; the approval of appointments  to certain positions, boards and commissions, including the position of Chief of  Police, and including the Springfield Civil Service Commission, which had  authority in the hiring of police officers; the approval of collective  bargaining agreements with employees’ unions, including the Police Benevolent  and Protective Association (“PBPA”), which represented police officers,  detectives and sergeants; and the approval of all expenditures by the city in  excess of $100,000.

Thr gravamen of the complaint is that the attorney represented private clients in conflict with his duties as an alderman. (Mike Frisch)