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Think Twice Before Accepting Gifts, Ethics Officials Warn City Employees

By Heather Cherone | November 23, 2016 6:12am
 Chicago officials have to be wary during this holiday season, as they could fall afoul of the city's prohibition on gifts.
Chicago officials have to be wary during this holiday season, as they could fall afoul of the city's prohibition on gifts.
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CITY HALL — City Hall is already awash in red and green, with a Christmas tree soaring in the lobby, but Chicago officials should be wary of accepting much more than good wishes this holiday season, ethics officials warned Tuesday.

The Chicago Board of Ethics reminded aldermen and other city officials that the city's ethics ordinance prevents them from accepting gifts — in most cases — from anyone other their friends and relatives.

"Violations of these rules could lead to employment sanctions, removal from office, and/or fines," ethics officials wrote in a message distributed to city officials. "No gift is worth that."

The law bans officials from accepting any gift "based on an understanding that your city decisions, actions or judgments will be affected by it — no exceptions," officials said.

Throughout the year, the city bans public officials from accepting gifts worth more than $50, and requires they be reported to ethics officials. Violations could trigger fines of $1,000 to $5,000.

Employees can stay on the right side of the law — and maybe prevent an awkward situation and hurt feelings — by "promptly transferring any tangible or perishable gift to a charity that is tax-exempt," ethics officials said.

The ban includes accepting tickets to holiday parties thrown by companies that do business with the city — unless the employee's attendance in related to their official duties and it is reported to to the Board of Ethics within 10 days.

"You can, of course, pay your own way," officials said. "We recommend that you do."

The rules also apply to officials' spouses or domestic partners, and immediate family members that share the same home, officials said.

But employees won't have to wake up to empty stockings on Christmas morning. They can still accept gifts from friends and relatives or associates in their outside businesses — unless those gifts are designed to curry official favors, officials said.

Officials can also pay fair-market value for anything offered to the public for sale, officials said.

Employees can accept gifts on behalf of the city of Chicago, but those gifts have to be reported to ethics officials and "be useable for city business purposes or displayed or put out for the public's enjoyment," officials said.

Employees are also prohibited from giving their bosses anything other than a "token gift" or gift card worth $10, according to the rules.

That's also the limit for gifts for "white elephant" or grab-bag parties in city offices, according to the rules.

And bosses are banned from using coercion to force "his or her subordinates into giving or contributing to a gift," according to the rules.

Acknowledging that the rules can be confusing, ethics officials encourage employees to call them at 312-744-9660 for "confidential advice or guidance."

"There's no such thing as a silly question," ethics officials said.

But think carefully before taking any gift, ethics officials warned.

"Before accepting any gift, always consider not only whether the law allows you to keep it, but whether your acceptance may create the perception that your independent judgment or integrity could be compromised," officials warned. "When in doubt, always say 'no thanks.'"

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