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DuPage committee approves contracts for attorney who also serves as ethics investigator amid optics concerns
Summary
The DuPage County Judicial and Public Safety Committee approved two contracts for attorney William G. Warrbeck after members raised concerns that he also serves as the county's recently approved ethics investigator; advisers said the county's ethics ordinance does not apply to the 18th Judicial Circuit.
The DuPage County Judicial and Public Safety Committee on Nov. 18 approved two contracts for attorney William G. Warrbeck after members debated whether awarding him work creates an appearance problem given his recent appointment as the county's ethics investigator.
Chair Evans brought JPSP-51-25 to the committee seeking approval of a contract for Warrbeck to provide guardian ad litem services in child-protection cases for the period beginning Dec. 1, 2025, through Nov. 30, 2026, not to exceed $42,000. Committee members paused the vote amid questions about whether Warrbeck's dual role could present a conflict of interest.
Member Krajewski asked whether Warrbeck was the same person the board had just approved as ethics investigator. Member Zay said the situation's "optics is horrible," urging more transparency and advance disclosure of the ethics adviser's opinion. One speaker who identified no name in the transcript said, "I know him to be an honorable lawyer" and vouched for Warrbeck's qualifications.
Committee members referenced an opinion from the county ethics adviser during the exchange. According to the adviser, the county's ethics ordinance does not apply to the 18th Judicial Circuit; several members noted that if the ordinance did apply, the arrangement might be a conflict, but the adviser's ruling described it as permissible under the current rules.
After procedural discussion and a later roll-call, the committee also approved JPSP-52-25, a separate contract to Warrbeck to serve as conflict counsel under the county's dangerous/violent person statute for Dec. 1, 2025—11/30/2026 not to exceed $48,000. Members who expressed reservations said the decision rested on the ethics opinion and on Warrbeck's experience; others cited his resume and longstanding municipal work in support.
The committee did not vote to rescind the earlier ethics appointment during the meeting. Chair Evans said staff would forward the ethics adviser's opinion for members to review. The committee recorded the motions and took roll-call votes where noted; both Warrbeck contracts were ultimately approved.
The committee did not specify any restrictions or conditions attached to the contracts at the meeting. The Warrbeck contracts will take effect per the contract dates listed on approval unless further action is taken by the county.
