Fine's Ethics Legislation Moves to State Senate

State Rep. Laura Fine's (D-Glenview) ethics reform bill passed out of the Illinois House last Thursday, "continuing her efforts to increase accountability and push for meaningful ethics reform in Illinois," a press release from her office reads.

“Whether elected or appointed, government officials have a responsibility to be good stewards for taxpayers,” Fine said in the release. “The events that occurred in Northfield Woods Sanitary District are very unfortunate and should have never happened in the first place. This piece of legislation adds much needed safeguards for our entire community.”

Last year, several of Glenview’s sanitary district employees were accused of overpaying themselves over a four-year period.

House Bill 2925 is the result of recommendations made by the Cook County Inspector General’s Office after an investigation of three Northfield Woods Sanitary District trustees. The investigation determined three trustees overpaid themselves by more than $264,000 from 2008 to 2011, and created a pension plan without any formal authorization.

Boards and commissions appointed by the Cook County President must adhere to Cook County ethics laws and serve under the county inspector general's jurisdiction, according to the bill. 

“I am pleased that this strong ethics reform legislation has passed out of the House and I will continue working hard to make sure elected officials and board members are working for taxpayers, not themselves,” Fine said in the press release. “As we find instances of corruption and abuse, we must be willing to make the necessary changes to prevent it from happening again.”

House Bill 2925 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

For more information about this or other upcoming pieces of legislation, please contact Rep. Fine’s constituent services office by calling (847) 998-1717 or by e-mailing RepFine@gmail.com.