to say that compliance right now is at about 50%. Mr. Custer stated that reminder emails were
sent out today, and he will follow up with additional reminders leading up to June 27th. Chair
Demling stated that this is one of the Ethics Commission's primary purposes with respect to their
duties. They have other purposes, but this is the one that is a constant each year and one that
they continue to update and monitor.
Member Benson stated that he was interested that there was a 50% compliance and he is sure that
towards the end employees of the County will get a chance to go through the Ethics review. He
shared with the Commission that he was on a call with a gentleman this morning where he
reminded him that DuPage is probably the wealthiest and best run County in the State. He went
on to say that the work the Ethics Commission does has been looked at by other Counties in our
State and we do a great job. Member Benson stated that what bothers him is a story on the front
page of the New York Times about the president's son-in-law cutting a deal in Coatia, a meme
coin being sold by the president of the United States, or a TV add for a presidential watch. He
also stated that to him all those things violate Ethics rules. He went on to say that he brought
those things up because they influence all of us and that he is hoping that the rules of the Ethics
Ordinance are understood.
Chairman Demling stated that occasionally he'll get a comment from someone asking about what
the Commission does or why don't they do this or that. He also stated that it is important to
understand that from our perspective our Ethics Commission is statutory and set up by an
Ordinance. The Commission's authority and limitations come from the Ordinance. He went on
to say that there are a lot of things that he might read in the newspaper and wish there was
something the Ethics Commission could do about it, but unfortunately it is beyond the scope of
our statutory establishment and when that happens you depend upon other organizations.
Chairman Demling stated that the beauty of our organization is that we are all basically
volunteers. We get paid a little bit, but not a lot, and we are split between parties in order to keep
it somewhat fair and equal. He also stated that ordinarily you would depend on other legislative
bodies to protect the public from what Member Benson just described. Far too often those
legislative bodies do not necessarily follow up to the extent they probably should. He went on to
say that again from our prospective what we can and should do is somewhat limited by the scope
that is given to us by the Ordinance that establishes this Commission. Chairman Demling stated
that the Commission members should be proud because what they do within their scope is done
very well and there has not been a lot of incidents with respect to that. He went on to say that he
could not remember the last time the Commission had to have a hearing on an issue and he
thinks to a degree some of that is a response to the training and information the Commission
provides.
8.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Member Benson moved, seconded by Member Cahalan, with no
objection the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 A.M.
