SPRINGFIELD, IL -- Comptroller Dan Hynes today, on behalf of the Comptroller's Office, accepted the Abraham Lincoln Ethics Award from the Executive Ethics Commission, the only Constitutional Office to receive the honor. The award is given for exemplary adherence to the principles of integrity, fairness and public service.

The Commission is lauding the Comptroller's Office for providing annual small-group ethics training for the 300 employees in the office, including one-on-one training for individuals who miss their session; imposing rules to limit campaign contributions from entities holding contracts with the office and banning the acceptance of gifts of any value.

The award was created in 2006 to recognize extraordinary ethical behavior of state employees. It was presented to Hynes at the Commission's ethics conference in Springfield on Tuesday, April 17.

"As public servants we all have a responsibility to serve Illinois' citizens with honesty and integrity," Hynes said. "I'm proud of the staff of the Comptroller's Office, who not only maintain, but exceed the highest standards of governmental ethics."

Hynes has been pushing a proposal in the Legislature that would dramatically reduce the corrupting influence of campaign contributions on the awarding of state contracts. More than two years ago Hynes issued an Executive Order making his own office subject to the restrictions immediately, becoming the first statewide officeholder to take such action.

Under the Comptroller's Executive Order, those bidding for contracts have to disclose campaign contributions made to Hynes' to the Executive Inspector General of the Comptroller's office. Further, the order bans contributions from persons or entities with more than $10,000 in contracts with the Comptroller's office. "To me, ethics is about more than words. It is about how individuals conduct themselves each and every day. It is about choosing the right path rather than the easy path. It is about choosing the path that benefits the public rather than yourself," Hynes said.

Hynes said he believes employees in the Comptroller's Office benefit from annual ethics training that provides an opportunity for interaction with key administrative staff and the ability to discuss situations in their everyday work environment. And, although state law allows employees to accept gifts of nominal value, Hynes' Office policy does not allow the acceptance of any gifts.

Hynes, first elected in 1998, is serving his third term as Illinois' Comptroller.

The Executive Ethics Commission has nine members, five appointed by the Governor and one each appointed by the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, the Comptroller and the Treasurer.