Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight meeting, May 19, 2026
- When: Tue, May 19, 2026, 10:30 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: 201A, 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=1193363043
- Transcript: full text (17,986 words, automatic 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 considered two agenda items: the appointment of David Glockner as Inspector General and a substitute ordinance establishing the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Fair Access to Democracy Ordinance. After testimony and discussion, the committee approved both the appointment and the ordinance. Public comment was limited to three speakers.
Topics: Inspector General appointment, Fair Access to Democracy Ordinance, Public comment procedure, Committee governance
Agenda items discussed
- 24:31 Appointment of David Glockner as Inspector General: passed
- 1:28:33 Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Fair Access to Democracy Ordinance (substitute) (O2026-0024036): passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Scott Waguespack (alderperson): Asked Mr. Glockner how he would address sister-agency compliance and ethics issues. (34:08); Raised concerns about increasing extremism and violence within city government and asked how the IG would handle it. (37:19); Discussed the need for audit focus and the risk of losing focus when issues move between departments. (45:40)
- Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Followed up on timeliness of investigations, citing a PPP fraud case that has been open for years. (41:28); Asked what realistic timeframes the IG could set for initiating and completing actions. (41:42)
- Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Asked about the relationship between the new advisory council and the Board of Elections. (1:45:00); Expressed concern about enforcement resources for the ordinance. (1:51:02)
- Debra L. Silverstein (alderperson): Moved to allow remote participation for three members under Rule 59. (21:46); Proposed moving the public-comment segment to later in the meeting to give participants a chance to speak. (23:57); Asked if the old committee map could be restored. (58:20)
- Maria E. Hadden (alderperson): Supported the motion to allow remote participation for herself and two other members. (21:46)
- Matthew J. Martin (chair): Called the vote on the remote-participation motion. (21:48); Accepted the motion recommending approval of the Inspector General appointment. (1:18:49); Accepted the motion recommending approval of the substitute ordinance. (2:29:01)
- William Conway (other): Stated his respect for the IG role and his background as a former public-corruption assistant. (1:06:45); Asked whether aldermen should cooperate with IG investigations, answering that they should. (1:07:28); Read a passage from the Q3 2025 IG report criticizing lack of cooperation from the mayor’s office. (1:08:06)
- Jason C. Ervin (other): Briefly expressed that he had not intended to meet the IG but was impressed by Glockner’s background. (50:16); Stated that previous IGs had not moved toward risk-based auditing, but found Glockner’s approach refreshing. (50:33)
- Chris Taliaferro (alderperson): Moved to recommend approval of the Inspector General appointment. (1:18:52)