Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Gifts. A member should not directly or indirectly solicit any gift, or accept or receive any gift whether in the form of money, services, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, promise, or any other form, under circumstances in which it could reasonably be inferred that the gift was intended to influence him, or could reasonably be expected to influence him, in the performance of his official duties or was intended as a reward for any official action on his part.

It is important that the prohibition of unsolicited gifts be limited to circumstances related to improper influence. In such de minimum situations as cigars, meal checks, etc., some modest maximum dollar value should be determined by the member for his guidance. The guideline is not intended to isolate members from normal social practices where gifts among friends, associates, and relatives are appropriate for certain occasions.

Confidential Information. A member should not disclose to others, or use to further his personal interest, confidential information acquired by him in the course of his official duties.

Representation. A member should not represent any outside interest before any agency public or private, except with the authorization or at the direction of the legislative body of the governmental unit he serves.

Investments in Conflict with Official Duties. A member should not invest or hold any investment, directly or indirectly, in any financial, business, commercial, or other private transaction which creates a conflict with his official duties.

In the case of real estate, the possibility of the use of confidential information and knowledge to further a member's personal interest requires special consideration. This guideline recognizes that a member's official actions and decisions can be influenced if there is a conflict with his personal investments. Purchases and sales which might be interpreted as speculation for quick profit ought to be avoided. The appearance that confidential information has been used to further his personal interest (as in the section headed "Confidential Information" above) is a special possibility for a member in the case of real estate.

Recognizing that personal investments may prejudice or may appear to influence official actions and decisions, a member may, in concert with his governing body, provide for disclosure of such investments prior to the acceptance of his position as municipal administrator or prior to any official action by the governing body that may affect such investments.

Private Employment. A member should not engage in, solicit, negotiate for, or promise to accept private employment or render services for private interests or conduct a private business when such employment, service, or business creates a conflict with or impairs the proper discharge of his official duties.

Teaching, lecturing, writing, or consulting are typical activities which may not involve conflict of interest or impair the proper discharge of his official duties. Prior notification of the governing body is appropriate in all cases of outside employment.