The City Council of Chicago has proposed amendments to Chapter 2-156 of the Municipal Code of Chicago, which include both insertions and deletions to update and clarify the law. Key changes involve the redefinition of "City Council contractor" to mean a "person" instead of an "individual," and the expansion of the definition of "City property" to cover items like uniforms or badges. The ordinance also introduces the term "Domestic partner," redefines "Relative," changes "Prohibited political activity" to "Restricted political activity," and adds the term "Superior." It extends the duty to report corrupt or unlawful activity to City Council contractors in addition to City employees and officials.
The ordinance expands the scope of regulations to include City Council contractors, requiring them to report matters pending in their agency to the Board and the head of the agency. It prohibits elected officials, employees, and City Council contractors from representing any person other than the City in nonministerial proceedings or transactions before any City agency, employee, or official. The ordinance also outlines conditions for the use of City property in connection with "restricted political activities" and addresses the solicitation or acceptance of political contributions, extending these regulations to political fundraising committees associated with elected officials. The ordinance clarifies that officials, employees, and City Council contractors are prohibited from accepting gifts or promises of future employment that could influence their decisions on city business, with an exception for non-monetary gifts valued at no more than $50.00. It also updates rules on employee-to-employee gifts, the disposition of improper gifts, and political contributions, with the ordinance set to take effect ten days after passage and publication.