Ethics and Corruption

The Cost of Corruption

Corruption in Illinois costs taxpayers more than $500 million a year - $120 million more than Cook County draws in from a one percent sales tax increase. more

The Rise of the Inspector General

According to the Chicago Tribune, inspector general David Hoffman was “the most prominent counterweight to the mayor’s virtually absolute lock on owner.” He exposed under-working sanitation crews, forced out a top mayoral aide who lied about hiring abuses, and reported that the city made far less money than it should have in the privatization of parking meters. Hoffman resigned to run for the U.S. Senate in October of 2009, leaving Joe Ferguson in his stead. It remains to be seen how Ferguson will live up to his predecessor. more

Payoffs and Patronage- Chicago Style

While making modest progress in cleaning up its hiring practices, the city continued to violate the Shakman decree’s ban on political hiring. Mayor Daley repeatedly claimed that the city did not indulge in patronage - even as former Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Al Sanchez was convicted of rigging city hiring and Promotions to benefit the Daley-linked Hispanic Democratic Organization. more

Payoffs and Patronage-Cook County Style

“We don’t use clout,” Cook County Board President Todd Stroger insisted to a federal hiring monitor. This was only a few months removed from a scandal involving the hiring and firing of a busboy with a felony record who had a relationship with Stroger’s Chief Financial Officer and first cousin Donna Dunnings. The busboy was subsequently forced to quit.

In addition, federal hiring monitor Mary Robinson reported in September of 2009 that certain county officials were “busy evading and frustrating and defying” ethical hiring policies rather than abiding by the law. more