Birkett hosts ethics primer for officials

A conference on public trust for elected and appointed officials in DuPage County, and attorneys who represent them, will be conducted Thursday, May 21, at the County Judicial Complex, 503 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton.

State’s Attorney Joseph E. Birkett has scheduled the day-long program to review public contracts and bidding, the Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act, conflicts of interest and gift ban, whistleblower protection, and official misconduct and bribery.

Although abuse of power is a major concern, “through appropriate training, policy and practice, as well as improved supervision, we can deter misconduct, reduce error and avoid costly litigation,” Birkett said.

Conference presenters include former assistant U.S. attorney Patrick Collins, who chairs Governor Quinn’s Illinois Reform Commission, and Michael J. Luke, senior assistant Illinois attorney general.

Registration details may be obtained from John Kocinski at (630) 407-8057 or John.Kocinski@dupageco.org.