During a recent village board meeting, community members expressed concerns regarding the board's ongoing discussions about ethics ordinances and potential conflicts of interest among trustees. Mae De Benedetta, a resident of Mount Prospect, highlighted the importance of local volunteer opportunities, emphasizing the need for community engagement and the positive impact of volunteering.

The conversation shifted to the topic of property taxes, with De Benedetta questioning whether board members should recuse themselves from discussions that could affect their own property taxes. She argued that owning property inherently creates a vested interest in such discussions, which could lead to perceived conflicts of interest. The board members defended their positions, stating that their votes on general matters, such as tax levies, do not constitute a conflict since they are acting in the community's interest.

De Benedetta also criticized the board for spending excessive time on updating ordinances that she believes are already established, suggesting that the focus should instead be on pressing community issues. She expressed disappointment in the board's approach to ethics, questioning why the updates were necessary at this time and whether they implied a lack of trust in the integrity of board members, particularly those who are attorneys.

In response, board members asserted that the updates were a proactive measure to ensure that the ordinances reflect current standards and practices. They emphasized that all members were involved in the discussions and that the updates were necessary to maintain ethical governance in the community.

The meeting underscored the ongoing tension between community members and the board regarding governance practices, ethics, and the importance of transparency in local government.