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BCC Compliance Requirements
All Board, Commission, and Committee members must complete the following requirements under Illinois law and the City of Evanston Code of Ordinances. All documents are submitted electronically through Submittable — paper copies and emailed forms are not accepted.
Submit your forms
For appointed BCC membersBoard, Commission, and Committee appointees use the main Submittable portal. Open the BCC portal → |
For elected officials, directors, appointed officials & BCC staff liaisonsCity officials and staff liaisons use the dedicated compliance gallery. Open the Officials & Liaisons portal → |
Training & filing deadlines
OMA Training90 days After appointment (only completed once) |
Ethics TrainingDec 31 Annually, plus within 90 days of appointment |
Financial DisclosureJuly 1 Annually, plus within 60 days of a status change |
FOIA Training30 days Only if designated a FOIA Officer by the City |
1
Visit cityofevanston.submittable.com. Log in or create a free Submittable account.
2
Find “City of Evanston Boards, Commissions, and Committees Compliance Requirements” in the list of open submissions.
3
Complete the Ethics Training form directly within Submittable.
4
Upload your OMA certificate of completion and, if applicable, your FOIA certificate and completed Financial Disclosure form.
5
Submit electronically. You will receive a confirmation. To request a copy of your completed form, email cityclerk@cityofevanston.org.
Paper copies and emailed forms will not be accepted. All submissions must go through Submittable to ensure proper tracking, verification, and compliance with City records procedures. For assistance using the portal, contact cityclerk@cityofevanston.org.
Open the Submittable PortalWho must complete
All BCC members — elected officials, appointed officials, and any staff designated by the public body
Deadline
Within 90 days of appointment or assuming duties. Required only once.
Where to complete
Illinois Attorney General’s OMA Training Portal — free online course. Register at the top right corner.
Proof required
Upload your certificate of completion through the City’s Submittable portal
What the OMA requires: The Illinois Open Meetings Act protects the public’s right to know how decisions are made. It defines a “meeting” as any gathering of a majority of a quorum to discuss public business, including informal discussions and email chains among members. All BCC business must be conducted in properly noticed public meetings.
1
Visit the Illinois Attorney General OMA Training Portal and create an account (register at the top right corner).
2
Complete the electronic training curriculum and save your certificate of completion.
3
Log in to Submittable and upload your certificate under “City of Evanston Boards, Commissions, and Committees Compliance Requirements.”
Legal reference: 5 ILCS 120/1.05(b)
Who must complete
All covered persons — every elected official, appointed official, and City employee staffing a BCC, paid or unpaid
Deadline
Within 90 days of appointment; then by December 31 every calendar year thereafter
Where to complete
City of Evanston Ethics Training Form — completed directly through Submittable (not a separate external portal)
Proof required
Signed acknowledgment and completion certificate submitted through Submittable
What the Code of Ethics requires: Covered persons must conduct City affairs with integrity and impartiality — without prejudice, favoritism, or personal gain. The training requires reading the Code and signing an attestation. The Board of Ethics interprets the Code and adjudicates complaints.
Impartiality
Working for the benefit of the entire community without partiality, prejudice, or bias. Avoid any appearance of favoritism.
Conflict of Interest
Disclose any personal or business interest in a matter before your BCC. Recuse yourself from discussion and voting when applicable.
Public Property
Do not use City-owned vehicles, equipment, materials, or property for personal convenience, profit, or any purpose unrelated to City business.
1
Log in to the City of Evanston Submittable portal at cityofevanston.submittable.com.
2
Find the City of Evanston Ethics Training Form under BCC Compliance Requirements.
3
Read the Code of Ethics, complete the acknowledgment, and submit. Repeat annually by December 31.
Legal reference: Evanston City Code §1-10-8(A)
Who must file
All elected officials, appointed officials, directors, and employees who staff a BCC, as required under the City Code of Ethics
City filing deadline
Annually by July 1 and within 60 days of any change in status. New appointees have 30 days from appointment to file.
What is disclosed
Real property interests within City limits; business ownership or employment; all employment for the prior calendar year for yourself and your spouse or cohabitating partner
Where to file (City)
Through the City of Evanston Submittable portal — not emailed, not dropped off
There are two separate filings — do not confuse them. The City of Evanston Financial Disclosure and Affiliation Statement is filed with the City Clerk through Submittable. The Statement of Economic Interests is a separate state-required form filed with the Cook County Clerk. Both may be required depending on your position.
City of Evanston Financial Disclosure
Filed with the City Clerk through Submittable by July 1 each year. Covers real property interests, business affiliations, and employment. Required under City Code §1-10-3.
To request a copy of your completed form, email cityclerk@cityofevanston.org.
File via SubmittableTo request a copy of your completed form, email cityclerk@cityofevanston.org.
Cook County Statement of Economic Interests
Filed with the Cook County Clerk annually — separate from the City filing, not submitted through Submittable. P.A. 102-0664 (eff. Jan. 1, 2022) expanded required disclosures; specific dollar amounts are not required.
If you believe your position does not require this filing, contact cityclerk@cityofevanston.org.
Cook County ClerkIf you believe your position does not require this filing, contact cityclerk@cityofevanston.org.
Legal reference: Evanston City Code §1-10-3(D)
This training is required only if you have been designated by the City as a FOIA Officer. If you have not received written notification from the City that this applies to your position, you do not need to complete FOIA Training. It is optional for all other persons.
Who must complete
Designated FOIA Officers only — specific staff authorized to receive, review, or respond to public records requests on behalf of the City
Deadline
Within 30 days of being designated as a FOIA Officer, annually thereafter as required by the Illinois Attorney General
Where to complete
Illinois Attorney General’s FOIA Officer Training portal — free online course
Proof required
Upload your certificate of completion through Submittable under “City of Evanston Boards, Commissions, and Committees Compliance Requirements.”
Legal reference: 5 ILCS 140/3.5
All “covered persons” — including elected officials, appointed officials, and City employees staffing Boards, Commissions, and Committees — are required to complete compliance trainings and submit documentation as outlined on this page.
No. All forms and certificates must be submitted through Submittable to ensure proper tracking, verification, and compliance with City records procedures. If you need support, contact cityclerk@cityofevanston.org.
Failure to complete any required training or filing by its deadline may affect your eligibility to serve or your ability to participate in City meetings. Contact the City Clerk’s Office as soon as possible if you are at risk of missing a deadline.
Yes. Each time you are appointed or reappointed, you must complete the required Ethics Training within the applicable deadlines (90 days for Ethics).
These are two completely separate filings. The City of Evanston Financial Disclosure and Affiliation Statement is filed with the City Clerk through Submittable by July 1 each year. The Statement of Economic Interests is a state-required form filed with the Cook County Clerk — not through Submittable. Contact cityclerk@cityofevanston.org if you are unsure whether the Cook County filing applies to you
Only if you have been specifically designated by the City as a FOIA Officer. If you have not received written notification from the City, this training does not apply to your position. FOIA Training is optional for all other persons.
Email a request to cityclerk@cityofevanston.org and the City Clerk’s Office will provide a copy of your completed form.
Contact the Office of the City Clerk for assistance with training requirements, deadlines, or help using the Submittable portal:
Email: cityclerk@cityofevanston.org
Phone: (847) 448-8189
Address: 909 Davis Street, Suite 240, Evanston, IL 60201
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Email: cityclerk@cityofevanston.org
Phone: (847) 448-8189
Address: 909 Davis Street, Suite 240, Evanston, IL 60201
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.