Section 100.20  Maintenance of High Standards

a)         The maintenance of unusually high standards of honesty, integrity, impartiality, and conduct by Illinois Commerce Commission members and employees is essential to assure the proper performance of the Government business and the maintenance of confidence by citizens in their Government.  In a regulatory agency such as the Illinois Commerce Commission, whose actions affect the interest of every citizen of the state, it is particularly important that every employee be completely impartial, honest, and above suspicion while adhering strictly to the highest standard of ethical conduct in all their social, business, political and other off-the-job activities, relationships and interests as well as in their official actions.  All Commission employees shall exercise their informed judgment to avoid situations that might result in actual or apparent misconduct or conflicts of interest.

b)         A Commissioner or an employee should avoid any action that might result in, or create the appearance of:

1)         Using public office for private gain;

2)         Giving preferential treatment to any interested party;

3)         Impeding Government efficiency or economy;

4)         Losing complete independence or impartiality;

5)         Discussing impending Commission decisions outside office channels;

6)         Affecting adversely the confidence of the public in the integrity of the Commission.

c)         Commissioners or employees of the Commission will not solicit nor accept any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or any other thing of monetary value, either directly or indirectly from or on behalf of an interested party.  A gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, etc., includes any tangible item, intangible benefits, discounts, tickets, passes, transportation, and accommodations given or extended to or on behalf of the recipient.  An "interested party" is any person, firm, corporation, or other entity that:

1)         Is engaged in or is endeavoring to engage in any activity or transaction of any sort with the Commission;

2)         Conducts operations or activities that are regulated by the Commission;

3)         Has interests that may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the official duties of the Commissioners or employees of the Commission;

4)         Is a party to any proceeding before the Commission;

5)         Are Attorneys for and representatives of any of the foregoing.

d)         Gifts, gratuities, favors, entertainment, etc., bestowed upon members of the immediate families of Commissioners or Commission personnel are viewed in the same light as those bestowed on Commissioners or Commission employees.

(Source:  Amended at 29 Ill. Reg. 14535, effective October 1, 2005)