ETHICS MATTERS

The September 26, 2008 Ethics Matters Conference was a success.  Thank you to all who participated.  The afternoon event was part of a larger Ethics Day, officially proclaimed as such by the Governor, and was an opportunity for us all to appreciate how far the state has come in restoring confidence in government.  I hope you choose to stay engaged by visiting our Web site often, availing yourselves of our free education tools, and participating in the monthly open meetings of the Board.

NEW LAW TAKES EFFECT OCTOBER 1

Public Act 08-03 takes effect on October 1, 2008.  The full text of the Act is available on this site.  Among other things, the new law:

·      Provides for pension revocation for public officials and government employees who violate certain criminal statutes such as embezzlement or bribery;

·      Makes failure to report a bribe a crime;

·      Adds the spouse of the Governor to the list of Public Officials in the Code of Ethics; Prohibits the Chiefs of Staff of the Governor, Lt. Governor, other elected officials and legislative caucuses from soliciting campaign contributions;

·      Limits the gift exception for major life events to $1,000; and

·      Requires mandatory training on the Code of Ethics for newly-elected legislators.

With your engagement and interest, the OSE will continue to work to ensure an environment of honesty, integrity and accountability in which public officials, state employees and lobbyists operate in a manner that instills the highest public confidence.

Sincerely,

Robert Worgaftik

Chairperson, Citizen’s Ethics Advisory Board

October 2008