The news
Evanston is looking for a new special counsel to handle ethics complaints. Proposals are due October 27, and a City Council vote is expected November 9. [1]
What the counsel does
Under the ethics code overhaul approved in September 2021, the special counsel investigates complaints the city receives, decides whether to advance them to an administrative hearing, and prosecutes the ones that go forward. The Board of Ethics can only review hearing findings and vote to affirm or reverse them. [1]
The contract and the appointment
- The city wants a one-year contract with an option for a second year, with a budget of up to $100,000. [1]
- The special counsel is appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council. With Mayor Biss leaving, the acting mayor will make the appointment. [1]
The record so far
The current counsel, appointed in December 2021, has not advanced any complaint to a hearing. The Board of Ethics was vacant from November 2023 to February 2025; its three members have met once since, because there have been no cases to review. [1]