An ethics proposal introduced in the Chicago City Council seem to be part of a swirling political battle at the state level.
Alderwoman Silvana Tabares, along with others, are sponsoring an ordinance that would ban family members of alderpersons from lobbying the city, among other things.
"The fundamental issue right here is that public office should not be used for we should not put public office for personal gain," said Tabares. "We're here to serve the public and that's it."
Tabares acknowledges the proposal is aimed at Illinois Secretary of State candidate and City Clerk Anna Valencia, whose husband is a lobbyist. Tabares supports rival candidate Alexi Giannoulias. Valencia says it’s politics.
Valencia says she’s corrected any disclosure mistakes and follows the ethics rules.
Mayor Lightfoot sounds skeptical of the proposed ethics reform.
"I have not read the text of the ordinance, and I'll do that, but I will tell you, I'm a little concerned that the chief sponsor has been a handmaiden of Mike Madigan," Lightfoot said.