Local

Illinois Management Assoc Speaks Up for Elected Officials


DeKalb, IL–(ENEWSPF)– The Illinois City/County Management Association (ICMA) issued a statement in the aftermath of the arrest of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. The statement stresses that association’s contention that the majority of politicians in Illinois are honest. The statement concludes, “Not every elected and appointed official in the State of Illinois is corrupt. Many are quietly striving day-by-day to improve the lives of the millions of citizens of Illinois and to serve the people of our state with honesty and integrity.”

The statement is signed by Patrick Urich, Peoria County Administrator, President, Illinois City/County Management Association; David M. Limardi, Highland Park City Manager, President, International City/County Management Association; Robert J. O’Neill, Jr., Executive Director,International City/County Management Association; and Dawn S. Peters, Executive Director, Illinois City/County Management Association.

Park Forest Village Manager Tom Mick is a member of the ICMA.

The complete statement follows:

The disturbing news coverage of the last several days has centered on Illinois being one of the most corrupt states in the nation. Chicago FBI Chief Robert Grant said “If it isn’t the most corrupt state in the United States, it’s certainly one hell of a competitor.”

The problem with such broad statements is that it creates the impression that public officials at all levels of government throughout the state are using their positions for personal gain.

In response to the corruption, greed, and graft that plagued U.S. government in the early 1900s, reformers developed the council-manager structure of government and professional local government management. Thanks to these reforms, today, there are literally hundreds of cities, counties, and villages across Illinois that have hired professional managers who are committed to ethical, transparent, and responsive local government. From East Dubuque to Lake County to Carbondale, the professionals who manage our cities and counties voluntarily agree to abide by a stringently enforced Code of Ethics, established in 1924 by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

Notably, the ICMA Code of Ethics requires city and county managers to: be dedicated to the concepts of effective and democratic local government; be dedicated to the highest ideals of honor and integrity in all public and personal relationships; recognize that the chief function of local government at all times is to serve the best interests of all people; refrain from all political activities which undermine public confidence in professional administrators; and, seek no favor, believing that personal aggrandizement or profit secured by confidential information or by misuse of public time is dishonest.

Our commitment to unwavering integrity—both in our professional and personal lives—is just one of the many values professional local government managers contribute to the communities they serve. It is about dedication to the highest standards of honor and integrity in all public and personal matters to merit the trust and confidence of those we serve.

Not every elected and appointed official in the State of Illinois is corrupt. Many are quietly striving day-by-day to improve the lives of the millions of citizens of Illinois and to serve the people of our state with honesty and integrity.


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