Just six weeks before a new mayor and new aldermen are to be sworn in, the old City Council is moving ahead with plans to hire a pretend inspector general.
That’s what we like to call it, anyway. Others prefer fake IG, a sham or a scam.
Whatever it’s called, this is one office that should be shut down before it even opens.
For that, we’re looking to Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel and the new crop of aldermen who will be sworn in May 16.
Nearly a year ago, you may recall, the aldermen voted to create an inspector general to investigate themselves and their staffs. They dreamed this up as an alternative to a strong and much-needed proposal by Mayor Daley to let the city’s existing independent inspector general investigate the City Council. The aldermen have always been exempt from IG oversight.
Over the howls of good government advocates, the City Council voted 28-17 to create the legislative IG, an office destined to do nothing.
The rules governing this new office are so restrictive, confounding and absurd that few people will even bother to come forward to file complaints. Just the way the City Council majority intends.
After dragging their feet for months, the Council last week finally got around to posting the fake IG job on the city’s website.
The delay, we hope, works in our favor. Why bother launching an office when it’s not even clear it still has support at City Hall?
During the campaign, Emanuel said he would prefer that the existing IG investigate aldermen, though he said that decision would be up to the Council.
The new Council, it’s important to note, will likely include several new aldermen opposed to the legislative IG, depending on the outcome of Tuesday’s election. By our count, as many as seven aldermen in favor of the legislative IG may be replaced by aldermen who think the city is better off with a real IG — one with a track record of independence — watching over Chicago’s aldermen.
Hold off on that fake IG. A better way of thinking may be headed to City Hall.
The city budget will never be reigned in until the IGs office has real authority to investigate all city employees including the aldermen. Aldermen who really care about taxpayer dollars will insist on a real IG.
ReplyDelete"Hold off on that fake IG. A better way of thinking may be headed to City Hall"
ReplyDeleteThat better way of thinking maybe O'Connor...she has stated that she wants a real IG
The woman who thinks it is no big deal to sign a sworn affidavit under penalty of perjury is talking ethics. The woman who is taking a boat load of out side money to win is going to be our voice. The woman who ownes and runs two businesses is going to be our full time Alderman. The woman obviously thinks we are stupid.
ReplyDeleteDID O'CONNOR STATE HER POSTION UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY? OH WAIT THAT DOES NOT MATTER BECAUSE SIGNING UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY IS NO BIG DEAL. O'CONNOR SOLD OUT TO THE SAME GROUP THAT IS LAMBASTING GARRIDO IN 45...THE SAME GROUP THAT BOUGHT THE STATE SENATE SEAT AND RAISED OUR TAXES BY 66%. KEEP O'CONNOR AND HER LIKE OFF THE COUNCIL AND NO NEED FOR AN IG. NOT TO BE TRUSTED.
ReplyDeleteWill the I G care if Alderman lie under Penalty of perjury. One candidate does not. Vote for Mary O'Connor: Queen of the I made a mistake defense. What a joke!
ReplyDeleteI swear inder penalty of perjury and subject to fines and imprisonment that I want a strong I G to investigate me if I win. Really I do.
ReplyDeleteReal works
ReplyDeleteI read a news story about reasons why people are leaving Chicago, and one of te top answers was city corruption ad city falling apart because of corruption... for this to change, we need REAL IG investigative procedures for everyone, especially the councilmen and the mayor.
ReplyDeleteI think the real inspector general should investigate Maurita Gavin for intimidating the Harlem/Higgins Gas Station Owner. Coercing him to take down his O'Connor signs and telling others not to buy gas from him lacks ethics, character and integrity.
ReplyDeleteGavin is still a city employee and using her job position to intimidate local resident's businesses should not be tolerated!
Gavin didn't contact the Shell station; despite what you want to believe.
ReplyDeletePlease grow up, 7:50pm.
Good Luck Tomorrow, Mary! From the Oriole Park neighbors for O'Connor
ReplyDelete8:09: How would you know? You weren't there and you are "anonymous". See why we need an Inspector General?
ReplyDeleteMy bookclub members and I are all voting for you, tomorrow, Mary.
ReplyDelete"Tomorrow belongs to the voter"
ReplyDelete"The aldermen have always been exempt from IG oversight.
ReplyDeleteOver the howls of good government advocates, the City Council voted 28-17 to create the legislative IG, an office destined to do nothing"
"destined to do nothing" - sounds like the Gavin platform
Love reading what all you donkeys have to say before I go to bed. I'll have to find another idiot blog after tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteTO APRIL 4 8:09pm. I am an employee of the Shell gas station at Harlem and Higgins. I was working both times Maurita Gavin came in threatening to call Shell headquarters if the O'Connor signs weren't taken down. And what's more pitiful is Doherty coming in once too.
ReplyDelete