CHICAGO — On June 16, the Chicago Board of Ethics unanimously voted to clear Ald. Jim Gardiner (45th Ward) of ethics violations—including charges tied to ordering unfounded citations against a critic—thus overturning a previously imposed $20,000 fine .
The reversal follows an administrative judge’s decision that found no violation of the Governmental Ethics Ordinance, effectively nullifying the Board’s October 2023 ruling that Gardiner had abused his position.
What Happened—and Why
In 2019, Inspector General Deborah Witzburg referred a case against Gardiner to the Board after it was discovered that he allegedly had city workers issue multiple baseless tickets—totaling over $600—to a constituent and outspoken critic, Pete Czosnyka, over alleged ordinance violations like overgrown weeds.
In October 2023, the Board found probable cause and imposed a fine of $2,000 per violation (up to $20,000). But in May 2025, Administrative Law Judge Frank Lombardo reviewed new evidence—a previously undisclosed witness interview from the OIG—which raised doubts about the sufficiency of the Board’s evidentiary record.
As a result, the judge cleared Gardiner, prompting the Ethics Board to formally reverse its stance the following week.
Gardiner’s Response
Gardiner responded via press remarks and social media, calling the ruling a “vindication” of his record and framing the battle as a principled defense of his office.
“We went to war with the city — and we won,” Gardiner declared, celebrating the Ethics Board’s reversal.
What This Means for Ethics Oversight
The case raises broader questions about the balance of power between the Inspector General, Ethics Board, and judicial review:
-
Some experts warn the ruling could weaken future ethics enforcement, citing the administrative judge’s focus on procedural limitations rather than misconduct allegations themselves .
-
Meanwhile, the Ethics Board emphasized its continued commitment to accountability, stating that future investigations will require complete and transparent evidence from the OIG to support allegations .
Gardiner’s Political Standing
Gardiner, a former Fire Department member, remains one of Chicago’s most polarizing aldermen, previously embroiled in free-speech lawsuits, leaked misogynistic text messages, and ongoing federal investigations into alleged bribery and misuse of office.
While this ruling addresses one high-profile ethics case, it does not affect other controversies that continue to shape public scrutiny and may feature in his potential reelection bid.
What Do You Think?
-
Should the Ethics Board have upheld its original findings?
-
Have public officials, like aldermen, lost public trust or earned second chances?
Your opinion matters—share your thoughts now at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com and help shape local accountability.
