Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight meeting, July 13, 2023
- When: Thu, Jul 13, 2023, 9:30 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928512/video/844681949
- Transcript: full text (12,852 words, official captions)
Meeting notes
AI-written from the transcript. Speakers are inferred from cues in the recording, so treat names as estimates and check the video at the linked time.
The Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight approved its April 2023 Rule 45 report and allowed Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. to participate remotely; no one signed up for public comment. The committee accepted and passed a substitute ordinance changing the selection process for the Inspector General and the Deputy Inspector General for Public Safety, which sets deadlines, requires 180 days' notice if the mayor will not reappoint, defines interim leadership and adds a term limit. Members then held two subject matter hearings with no votes: one on the Inspector General's audit of the Department of Public Health's enforcement of construction and demolition debris recycling, and one on the follow-up to an audit of Streets and Sanitation's enforcement of commercial and high-density residential recycling.
Topics: Inspector General selection, Term limits, Construction and demolition debris recycling, Recycling enforcement, Waste tracking technology, Interdepartmental coordination
Agenda items discussed
- 15:10 Rule 45 report from the April 2023 committee meeting: passed
- 15:35 Substitute ordinance amending Municipal Code chapter 2-56 regarding qualifications and appointment of the Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General for Public Safety (O2023-0001245): passed
- 40:51 Subject matter hearing on the Inspector General's audit of CDPH construction and demolition debris recycling enforcement: discussed
- 1:06:16 Subject matter hearing on the follow-up to the audit of Streets and Sanitation commercial and high-density residential recycling enforcement: discussed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Matthew J. Martin (chair): Said the recent nine-month Inspector General selection showed the need for a faster, more transparent process, and described the substitute's notice period, deadlines, interim chain of command and term limits. (16:47); Responded that the 180-day notice period gives the selection committee and search firm enough time and aims to minimize the time an interim holds the office. (32:53); Added that term limits make non-reappointment less frequent and that a defined line of succession keeps the office led if an incumbent leaves early. (35:34)
- Jeanette B. Taylor (alderperson): Asked the Inspector General to explain the office's role for the public and how long investigations take. (20:34); Asked how the office informs workers that whistleblower laws protect them when they file complaints. (23:15); Said illegal dumping of construction debris is a frequent problem in her ward and urged closer coordination with the Buildings Department. (59:29)
- Chris Taliaferro (alderperson): Asked how the ordinance makes the Inspector General selection process more transparent. (24:38); Asked whether the Deputy Inspector General for Public Safety should also be term-limited and why the Inspector General supports term limits. (26:41); Said he disagrees with term limits for an appointed position because a capable official who is well received could be lost. (29:58)
- Maria E. Hadden (alderperson): Asked CDPH to include alderpersons in planning the new waste tracking software so ward offices can flag issues and integrate with 311 requests. (53:04)
- Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Supported an aldermanic 311 option and asked whether CDPH is the right department to manage debris tracking or whether it belongs elsewhere. (56:17); Said his ward has many private-hauler buildings and asked how the city communicates recycling responsibilities and how long until a violation results in a citation. (1:18:22); Asked whether anyone tracks business recycling plans and whether the city has a list of high-density residential buildings. (1:22:42)
- Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Said many residents and businesses are unaware of their recycling obligations, raised illegally converted buildings, and said enforcement resources need a larger discussion. (1:24:58)
Exchanges between members
- 31:59 Taliaferro asked the chair about reducing the notice period from 180 days to 90 days.
- 32:53 Martin responded to Taliaferro's point by explaining the reasoning for the 180-day period.
- 56:17 Lawson echoed Hadden's suggestion for an aldermanic option in the tracking system.
- 59:29 Taylor responded to Lawson's suggestion about the Buildings Department, saying she wanted more coordination with it.
- 1:00:07 Taylor referred to Hadden's point about reliance on the Buildings Department.
- 1:26:03 Martin said he agreed with Lee's point about enforcement resources.