The Naperville City Council took a significant step to increase transparency last month when it approved an ethics rule requiring the mayor and council members to publicly disclose campaign contributions from big donors.

The new rule, proposed by Councilwoman Theresa Sullivan, will apply if someone who donated more than $750 to an elected city official becomes an interested party in a matter before the council.

Sullivan said the rule will ensure the public is aware of any prior financial support by a petitioner, a petitioner’s agents or public participants in a council agenda item — including speakers for or against an issue.

The policy change, approved with a 5-4 council vote, applies only to contributions accepted during the most-recent campaign cycle, starting with the election in April.

Picture Source: Naperville City Council

SOURCE ( Daily Herald Editorial Board)