The Board of Ethics administers Chicago’s Governmental Ethics and Campaign Financing Ordinances. It is one of the city’s smallest departments, with a small staff assisting an appointed board.
Snapshot: Appropriation & Staffing Changes from 2023 Budget
| 2023 Budgeted | 2024 Proposed | Net Change | Percent Change | |
| Appropriations | $916,559 | $1,019,825 | $103,266 | 11.3% |
| Positions & FTEs | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0.0% |
Departmental Highlights
- Board of Ethics staff remained the same as the previous year, with no changes in positions or titles.
- The only non-personnel appropriations increase in the Board of Ethics budget is a new $2000 appropriation for students as trainees.
- Appropriations are up 11.3% over the previous year’s budget, a larger increase than the Board’s historic average, largely driven by salary increases.
Historical Context
From 2011-2023, the department budget grew at an average rate of 4.1% per year. Departmental budgets overall increased an average of 5.9% per year over the same time period, while the total city budget including Finance General appropriations grew at an average rate of 8.2% annually.
The department’s budgeted workforce has not changed since a reduction to eight full-time positions in the 2017 budget.
Staffing
Staffing levels have not changed. The Board of Ethics continues to operate with eight full-time positions.
Appropriations
The only non-personnel appropriations increase in the Board of Ethics budget is a new $2000 appropriation for students as trainees.
