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* DNAInfo Chicago writes about an updated city ethics policy…

Originally, Chicago Board of Ethics Executive Director Steve Berlin ruled that Mayor Rahm Emanuel and any of the 50 aldermen who take advantage of the Cubs’ offer to buy playoff tickets at face value could go in their official capacity. That meant the aldermen would have to use the tickets themselves and be acknowledged by the team by having their names announced or displayed on the digital billboard in center field.

The new policy would only allow aldermen to buy the tickets at face value if they performed a “ceremonial duty” such as throwing out the first pitch, marching onto the field with other officials or making a speech. […]

The city bans public officials from accepting gifts worth more than $50. Since the tickets to the World Series are selling for thousands of dollars, accepting the tickets at face value would violate that provision of the city’s ethics code.

If the Cubs had offered aldermen tickets at face value, and any aldermen accepted, it could have triggered fines between $1,000 and $5,000.

The Cubs have since withdrawn their offer of face value tickets.

* The Question: Do you agree with this new city ethics policy? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.

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posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 1:01 pm

Comments

Have any news outlets printed a list of who took the tickets?

Comment by Timmy G. Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 1:04 pm
When employed by the State, I was in a shop that handled a lot of money and our ethics policies were so rigorous that it was considered bad form to accept even a cup of coffee from a municipal representative. Everyone in public office anywhere, elected or employed, should follow that sort of standard.

Comment by skirmisher Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 1:07 pm
Many secondary schools issue passes which selected individuals (school board members, municipal officials) can attend athletic events, school plays, etc. for free. Does that mean Chicago Aldermen need to turn in their CPS pass as well?

Comment by Bogey Golfer Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 1:12 pm
Alderman were out there saying they deserved the special treatment, or that the news should focus on something else. They’re clueless. Take away some perks and make them do their jobs. October is supposed to be budget season.

Comment by Not It Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 1:16 pm
As distasteful as we might find them to be, and I find my alderman pretty distasteful, they still are elected representatives of the City of Chicago. Which provides this private corporation with tons of breaks. I don’t care if an alderman or her/his staff gets to go. So long as they’re not a jinx.

Comment by Albany Park Patriot Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 1:20 pm
I voted yes. Anything that deters politicians from getting special benefits from political office is a good thing. Let’s give credit to those who thought up the reform.

Comment by Steve Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 1:26 pm
If they buy something with their own cash money for the price printed on the ticket, what’s the deal?

Comment by Ray del Camino Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 1:26 pm
Yikes. With all the political money flying around right now, they might be the only ones who can afford to buy the tickets from a broker…

It was a nice enough intention, but it turned out to be perceived as an offer people considered privilege over and above. Offer rescinded. Story over. Mortgage your house and buy your own ticket.

Or watch it on TV. The loo is closer, the beer is colder, and if someone smells, well…it’s you.

Comment by A guy Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 1:27 pm
“Do you agree with this new city ethics policy?”

I clicked ‘agree’ but I don’t think it goes far enough, e.g. “The new policy would *** allow aldermen to buy the tickets at face value if they performed a ‘ceremonial duty’…”

If aldermen want tickets, then they can go to the back of the ticket line like everybody else.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 1:29 pm
Yes MrJM I agree. Those alderman may find themselves deliberating on tax breaks, finances, zoning or whatever affecting sports teams in the city and it is human nature to reciprocate. It goes beyond having the appearance of being unethical.

Comment by NoGifts Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 1:52 pm
==If they buy something with their own cash money for the price printed on the ticket, what’s the deal?==

Because regular people don’t have access to Cubs World Series tickets at face value.

Comment by IllinoisBoi Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 1:53 pm
Yes because those tickets are worth way more than face. And if I had my way all the big egotists including the celebrities who show up all of a sudden wouldn’t be there either. It’s about the team, not about you.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 2:03 pm
Voted yes. State employees had to live under strict gift limits, like $25 / $75. Should be the same for city employees and elected officials.

And, in theory, employees were also forbidden to use / profit from any inside information received.

The politicians should have to abide by the same rules that apply to the employees. If you’re going to treat the employees as if they are all crooks, then you should definitely treat the real crooks the same way.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 2:08 pm
The City Ethics officer is trying to make law.

face value is face value.

Nothing in the statute about elected officials having to participate in the ceremony if they receive tickets.

Comment by Juvenal Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 2:11 pm
I voted yes, but now that I think about it, any time a politician is spending at a sporting event is time when he isn’t doing serious harm to the state, so maybe we should give them free tickets.

Comment by Whatever Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 2:12 pm
Voted yes. Perks should not be dangled as a motivation to serve.

Comment by AlfondoGonz Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 2:32 pm
If the Cubs sold all the $50 tickets at $50, and the aldermen paid with their own money, and did not sell them, it would probably not be illegal. If the Cubs directly sold the $50 tickets to others for $1000 and sold them to the aldermen for $50, that probably would be illegal. The value on the tickets should not be deemed to be what scalpers are charging.
Rahm and the aldermen could have got some good PR if they had bought the tickets and given them to make-a-wish or other non-profit to have the kid’s attend the game as guests of Rahm or the aldermen.

Comment by DuPage Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 2:46 pm
We voted ‘yes’ cause it will hasten the day when 1%ers control everything and everyone will a taste

Comment by Annonin' Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 2:50 pm
Voted No, mostly because I hate political stunts, especially around a serious topic like ethics.

Comment by walker Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 2:54 pm
Maybe the tickets can be reallocated to grade schools in each district where an extra $2,000 on the resale market could go a long way.

Comment by Biker Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 2:55 pm
So the Cubs have these tickets and their f______ golden!

Voted no. It certainly seems to be little more than a political stunt.

Comment by illini97 Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:08 pm
No, find me a citation in the law to support this absurdity. Ethics officer undercuts credibility for serious things when silly things get twisted into issues.

Comment by d.p.gumby Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:10 pm
Yes
There are items that will come up (Liquor license for the plaza area) for votes at Wrigley and you cannot convince me that a good deal on a ticket wouldn’t make the Alderman feel that they should help-out their good buddies, the Ricketts.
Why can’t they get in line or over-pay like the rest of us?

Comment by Belle Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:11 pm
I could see the governor and mayor being given tickets as official representatives, but the entire city council? Nope.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:13 pm
The Cubs are in the World Series and Blago is in prison. I kind of feel for him. He would have found an official duty all 3 days just to be there. Rauner can afford a ticket.

Comment by jeffinginchicago Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:16 pm
Yes, why should they be allowed jump to the head of the line just because they’re elected officials? They can purchase tickets the same way any Cubs fan gets them, if they’re really fans of the team.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:07 pm
Voted “No”.
What has the world come to when the issuing entity (Cubs) cannot charge face value for a ticket? Why have a face value?
These ethics officers remind one of the Far Side cartoon, where a student at the Medvale School for the Gifted was trying to enter by pushing the door open when it clearly said “pull”.
They try to outthink themselves.

Comment by Austin Blvd Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:33 pm