Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight meeting, January 28, 2025
- When: Tue, Jan 28, 2025, 10:30 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/1049381477
- Transcript: full text (26,194 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 held two subject matter hearings: one on the Office of Inspector General's quarterly report for the third quarter of 2024, and one on the Department of Human Resources policy on ineligibility for rehire (the "do not hire" list). Inspector General Deborah Witzburg described sustained investigations, including PPP loan fraud by city employees, and said Law Department practices such as demands to have city attorneys present at OIG interviews limit the office's effectiveness. Human Resources Commissioner Sandra Blakemore described her 2024 changes to the rehire policy, including a required memo and supporting documents, and a working group with OIG and the Law Department expected to finish in the first quarter. Members asked about appeals, use of the list for political retaliation, Shakman-exempt employees, coordination with sister agencies, and standard rules for aldermanic offices. The committee approved its Rule 45 report and allowed Alderperson Jeanette B. Taylor to attend remotely; the hearings were for discussion only.
Topics: Inspector General quarterly report, ineligible for rehire list, PPP loan fraud, OIG independence, Law Department, Shakman exempt employees, public safety data, Office of Public Safety Administration, personnel rules, public comment
Agenda items discussed
- 15:12 Motion to allow Alderperson Jeanette B. Taylor to attend remotely under Rule 59: passed
- 38:39 Rule 45 report from October 2024: passed
- 38:55 Subject matter hearing on the Office of Inspector General quarterly report for the third quarter of 2024: discussed
- 1:25:44 Subject matter hearing on the Department of Human Resources policy regarding ineligibility for rehire: discussed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Matthew J. Martin (chair): Asked about the employment status of the library clerk in the OIG report and why COPA had not conducted a Rule 14 analysis. (52:37); Asked that questions about the do not hire list wait until the second hearing so the commissioner could take part. (1:01:57); Asked that OIG share audit findings on budget-related departments such as OPSA before the budget address, and asked how departmental cooperation affects the pace of investigations. (1:16:53)
- Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Asked what the Department of Finance has done to prevent a contractor's misuse of system access from happening again. (54:45); Asked how residents and employees can be better equipped to report inefficiency and waste, not only misconduct. (55:44); Asked how many of the roughly one thousand PPP loan cases have been closed. (57:50)
- Scott Waguespack (alderperson): Asked what prevents city and sister-agency inspectors general from cooperating so people on the ineligible list are not hired at CPS, CHA or CTA. (59:06); Asked how the ineligibility policy applies to hires in aldermanic offices. (1:00:45); Said some recently terminated employees were treated unfairly and asked why the policy sets a one-year wait and a two-year appeal cycle. (1:37:38)
- Matthew J. O'Shea (alderperson): Asked how many city employees fraudulently obtained PPP loans. (1:02:15); Asked whether any department or the administration has declined to fire employees found to have committed PPP fraud. (1:02:58); Asked that the council receive information on these cases. (1:03:43)
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Asked whether OIG can assess if the Office of Public Safety Administration is delivering the savings it promised. (1:06:05); Asked how the city recovers money improperly collected by a vendor and suggested reviewing how effective the Law Department is at collection. (1:08:14); Asked for a list of data gaps that limit transparency into CPD operations. (1:09:11)
- Maria E. Hadden (alderperson): Asked what guidelines a department head must follow to request that a terminated employee be placed on the list. (1:53:52); Asked for additional guidance from DHR for offices with Shakman-exempt staff, such as aldermanic offices and the mayor's office. (1:56:18); Requested a report on the general reasons stated for placements on the list. (2:00:40)
- Samantha Nugent (alderperson): Thanked the commissioner for updating the policy and supported OIG continuing investigations after an employee leaves. (2:01:45); Asked whether employees learn of their placement on the list at termination or only by mail. (2:02:23); Asked how appeals are handled for people who believe they were placed on the list for improper or political reasons, rather than waiting a year. (2:03:10)
- Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Thanked the commissioner for requiring a memo and called for more standardization and training for aldermanic and mayoral staff. (2:29:38); Asked whether there is a maximum time a person stays on the list and was told it is indefinite. (2:31:34); Said discipline recommendations that departments need not follow lead to inconsistent treatment and supported a council voice in the working group. (2:31:46)
- Gilbert Villegas (alderperson): Asked whether people on sister agencies' lists can be hired by the city and whether that could be addressed by ordinance. (2:34:44); Asked whether DHR is reviewing past placements for a pattern and how pending appeals are handled. (2:36:37); Asked when the working group will produce its final product. (2:38:31)
- Nicholas Sposato (alderperson): Asked how many people applied to be removed from the list and how many were removed in the past year. (2:39:35); Asked whether an alderperson can request that a former employee be placed on the list. (2:40:18)
Exchanges between members
- 1:01:57 The chair asked Alderperson Scott Waguespack to hold questions about the do not hire list until the second hearing.
- 1:05:55 Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. said his question followed the lines of efficiency raised by Alderperson Bennett R. Lawson.
- 1:15:41 Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. referred to his colleague's question about ward offices in asking for clarity on Shakman rules.
- 1:45:07 The chair interrupted Alderperson Scott Waguespack questioning to ask members to stay close to the do not hire list.
- 1:59:33 The chair built on Alderperson Maria E. Hadden point in asking for illustrative examples from DHR.
- 2:10:54 The chair said Alderperson Samantha Nugent correctly noted the focus on Shakman-exempt employees.
- 2:11:08 The chair cited Alderperson Maria E. Hadden concern about differing policies across aldermanic offices.
- 2:24:10 Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. referred to Alderperson Samantha Nugent point about the effect of placement on the list on a government career.
- 2:38:54 The chair commended Alderperson Gilbert Villegas and Alderperson Scott Waguespack for their work on the issue.
- 2:38:54 The chair commended Alderperson Scott Waguespack and Alderperson Gilbert Villegas for their work on the issue.
- 2:39:03 Alderperson Gilbert Villegas thanked the chair for holding the hearing as promised.