Current state law doesn't allow county governments to remove an appointed official suspected of an ethics violation. But some northern Illinois counties will soon have that power. When an elected official is embroiled in an ethics scandal, that person can be voted out of office or be removed by his or her colleagues. But at the county level in Illinois, there's no recourse for appointed officials. Local governments have to wait until the person's term expires.
But a law signed by the governor Monday allows some counties to adopt a code of conduct for these officials. It also simplifies the process for getting rid of them if they violate the code.
The change was sought by Lake County. The law also affects Kane, McHenry, Will and DuPage County Boards. The statute's language says it applies only to counties with population's greater than 300,000, but less than 2,000,000.
Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen says it provides a good system of checks and balances.
"There is an entrance for appointments. There should be an exit for appointments in egregious cases," Lauzen said.
The changes take effect in January.