FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
September 17, 2009

Contact:  Jason Gerwig
630/407-6022

DUPAGE COUNTY BOARD MEMBER DEBRA OLSON CALLS FOR SWEEPING ETHICS AND PROCUREMENT REFORM

PROPOSALS MIRROR RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY COLLINS REPORT AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NEW STATE LAW

DuPage County Board Member Debra Olson (R-Wheaton) today proposed a package of sweeping ethics and procurement reforms for DuPage County Government including a ban on campaign contributions from county vendors; a total ban on gifts to county officials and employees; limits on contributions from members of appointed boards and commissions; reverse online auctions for commodities; and increased disclosures for contributors who bundle donations, and county vendors and lobbyists.

"We live in a great county, and serve a constituency that has high expectations of its governmental leaders.  I believe it has been the desire and practice of our elected county officials through the years to serve ethically and honestly," said Olson. "Four years ago I led efforts along with fellow County Board Members to bring about reforms to County government that resulted in long-term budgeting, greater transparency and accountability, and more.  We are continually seeking to provide better governance in DuPage. These proposals represent an evolution in the already high standards of accountability and transparency we have in DuPage County."

According to Olson, "as the County Board considers Ethics Reform, I believe it is time to do in DuPage what Springfield has failed to do - pass meaningful and dramatic reforms.  These should include Campaign Finance, Gift, and Disclosure reforms that extend beyond-in many cases far beyond-what our Ethics Policy currently encompasses. Whistleblower protections and Procurement Reforms are also vitally necessary for Ethics enforcement."

"Due to the extensive research and testimony contained within the Illinois Reform Commission 100-Day Report, April 28, 2009, more commonly known as the Collins Commission Report, it should serve as our guide," notes Olson. 

The proposed changes submitted by Olson to the County Ethics and Procurement Ordinances include:

Campaign Finance Reform:

" Ban County Board Members and the County Board Chairman from receiving campaign contributions from Contractors, Vendors, Professional Service providers, Unions involved in collective bargaining negotiations or agreements with DuPage County, and Corporations (including limited liability companies, partnerships, and similar entities), or their lobbyists, agents or representatives, or PACS or Unions in which their owners, officers, managers, lobbyists, agents or consultants are members, who have obtained or are seeking contracts with DuPage County of $15,000 or more, or change orders causing a total contract amount to exceed $15,000.

" Limit individual contributions to $1000 per year (less than half of the federal limit) and bundled campaign contributions to $5000 per year (less than one-third of what is recommended by the Collins Commission report) from persons appointed by the Chairman and/or County Board Members to boards or commissions under the direct or indirect authority of the County, such as the DuPage County Health Department, the DuPage Housing Authority, the DuPage Airport Authority, the DuPage Technology Park Board, and the DuPage Water Commission.   

Gift Ban:
" A complete ban on gifts, food, or refreshment to County Board Members, the Chairman of the County Board, and county employees from persons or entities or their lobbyists or agents, or PACS or Unions in which their owners, officers, managers, lobbyists, agents or consultants are members, who are seeking or holding contracts with DuPage County of $15,000 or more, or Unions or their representatives who seek or have collective bargaining agreements with DuPage County.

Procurement and Disclosure Requirements:

" Adoption of the Connelly Legislation HB 379 Reverse Online Auctions for procurement of supplies and services other than professional services.

" Immediate disclosure of Owners, Officers, Managers, Lobbyists, Agents, Consultants, Bond  Counsel and Underwriters Counsel, Subcontractors, and Corporate entities or Political Action Committees under the control of County Professional Service providers, Contractors, Vendors, Corporations, Lobbyists, and Unions whose members are county employees, or who are seeking or who have obtained contracts with the county.  Ongoing updating of information should be required.

" Disclosure within 5 business days of all individual and bundled campaign contributions to County Board Members and the County Chairman and candidates for County Board Member and County Board Chairman from persons appointed by the Chairman and/or County Board Members to boards or commissions under the direct or indirect authority of the County, such as the DuPage County Health Department, the DuPage Housing Authority, the DuPage Airport Authority, the DuPage Technology Park Board, and the DuPage Water Commission.  This also requires disclosure by the Appointed Official of contributions made by a contractor, company, corporation, vendor, or professional service provider for which they are an owner, officer, manager, lobbyist, agent or consultant, and of contributions from Political Action Committees and Unions of which the Appointed Official is a member or contributor. 

" Require that all procurement staff and staff from departments letting bids keep a log of all contact with vendors and contractors, their lobbyists, agents, and other interested parties seeking to obtain a contract or make a change order of an existing contract with the County. 

" Enhance the County's Procurement webpage for greater transparency on contractor, vendor, and lobbyist lists, bid awards and contact logs.

Whistleblower Protection:

" Adopt reporting methods and protections for employees who suspect abuse of authority, inappropriate and/or criminal behavior of another employee. Reporting avenues should include the DuPage County Auditor.

While the rules above on campaign finance, gifts, and procurement would apply, by virtue of the Ethics Ordinance, to DuPage County Elected Officials but in most cases not to candidates seeking County offices as non-incumbents, Olson also proposes that the DuPage County Ethics Ordinance and Procurement Policy be distributed by the DuPage County Election Commission to all candidates seeking elected DuPage County Office as recommended campaign finance and reporting guidelines to which all candidates are encouraged to adhere. 

DuPage County does not have the authority to implement further restrictions on campaign contributions and campaign disclosure. Therefore, a resolution from the DuPage County Board outlining the above changes to the DuPage County Ethics Ordinance and Procurement Policy as well as the rules proposed below should be included in the DuPage County Legislative Priorities to allow all Counties in Illinois to adopt similar reforms, campaign finance and reporting rules, and mechanisms.

According to Olson, this resolution should include:

Enhanced Campaign Finance Restrictions:

" Ban contributions to candidates for County Elected Offices and County Elected Officials from Contractors, Vendors, Professional Service Providers and Corporations (including limited liability companies, partnerships, and similar entities) or their lobbyists who have obtained or are seeking contracts with the County of $15,000 or more, or change orders causing a total contract amount to exceed $15,000, or Unions or their  representatives  involved in collective bargaining negotiations or agreements with DuPage County.

" Ban gifts to candidates for County Elected Offices, County Elected Officials, and County employees from Contractors, Vendors, Professional Service Providers and Corporations (including limited liability companies, partnerships, and similar entities) or their lobbyists,  who have obtained or are seeking contracts with the County of $15,000 or more, or change orders causing a total contract amount to exceed $15,000, or Unions or their  representatives  involved in collective bargaining negotiations or agreements with DuPage County.

" Adoption of current DuPage County Ethics Code prohibited sources and prohibitions on political activity on behalf of County Elected Officials by County employees.

" Limit individual and bundled campaign contributions to candidates for County Elected Offices from persons appointed by the Chairman and/or County Board Members to boards or commissions under the direct or indirect authority of the County, such as County Health Departments, Housing Authorities, Airport Authorities, and the like.

" Ban on contributions to candidates for County Elected Offices from a Trust.

" Limits on individual or aggregate campaign contributions to candidates for County Elected Offices from persons or entities not seeking or obtaining contracts with County government of :
  - $2,400 per individual per two years
- $5,000 per two years from state or local party committee
- $5,000 per two years from a political action committee
- $5,000 per two years from a corporation
- $5,000 per two years of contributions from a bundled/coordinated source
- $5,000 per two years from a labor organization

Enhanced Campaign Disclosure:

The goal of Campaign Disclosure should be online real-time reporting of all donations, rather than the current method of reporting twice each year.  It is important that the general public have the ability to see where contributions are coming from before an election takes place. Legislation allowing Counties to adopt the above reforms should also require the Illinois State Board of Elections to implement these reporting requirements.  Should ISBE reporting mechanisms not be changed, it is incumbent upon Counties to put our own online reporting system in place, and require compliance from all candidates for Elected County Offices. This system should be developed with the advisement of the Illinois State Board of Elections so that compatibility is established in the event reporting laws change in Illinois to provide for real-time reporting with the ISBE. 

New Requirements on Disclosures should include:

" Disclosure online of all contributions within five days of receipt.

" Bundled or Coordinated Contributions: Candidates for Elected County Office must report the identity, occupation, employer and amounts received from bundled or coordinated contributions from non-prohibited Political Action Committees, Individuals or Corporations.  "Coordinated" or "Bundled" contributions are defined as those contributions in which 1) a person or entity physically or electronically forwards the contributions to the political committee; 2) the political committee credits the person or entity through records, designations, or other means of recognizing that the person or entity has raised the money; or 3) the political committee knows or has reason to know that the person or entity raised the funds.

" Independent Expenditure Disclosure: In the case in which, rather than making a donation to a political campaign, an individual or entity pays for election expenditures on behalf of a candidate, candidates for Elected County Office must report to the County Clerk's Office the name, occupation, and employer of any non-prohibited source making an independent expenditure in support of a candidacy in which the expenditure is individually or in aggregate $5,000 or more within five days of the expenditure.  The nature, beneficiary and recipient of the expenditure must also be indicated.
 
Because the reporting mechanisms are not yet in place, Olson is committing to putting all campaign contributions made to me since July 1, 2009 online on my campaign website within 5 business days of receipt.

"I am proud to offer a first step in Reform legislation for DuPage County, and I welcome debate and discussion" said Olson.  "I also welcome further recommendations to strengthen these proposals so that we can deliver genuine Ethics Reform that will reassure residents of DuPage their government is free from the pay-to-play politics for which our state has become notorious."

Olson says she encourages all DuPage County Board members and Countywide Elected Officials to support these reforms and formally adopt them. 

"It is my hope they will serve as a model for the other 101 counties in Illinois, and for reform in our state government as well," says Olson.