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 approved its April 2026 Rule 45 report and considered two items: Mayor Johnson's appointment of David Glockner as Inspector General and a substitute version of the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Fair Access to Democracy Ordinance. Public comment was moved later in the meeting because the Zoning Committee was meeting at the same time, and three members of the public ultimately spoke. Glockner described goals of focusing audits on the city's most significant risks and improving the timeliness of investigations, and answered questions from members about sister agencies, aged investigations, cooperation with OIG investigations, and his independence; the committee recommended approval of his appointment. The ordinance, presented by Chicago Votes, Rainbow PUSH and mayoral staff, would bar doxxing of election workers, require landlords to maintain secure mailboxes, and create an Advisory Council on Access to Democracy. Members asked about the council's staffing and costs, its overlap with the Chicago Board of Elections, enforcement of political activity rules, and membership criteria, and the committee recommended passage of the substitute ordinance.
Topics: Inspector General appointment, OIG audits and investigations, election worker doxxing, mailbox security, Advisory Council on Access to Democracy, Board of Elections, public comment scheduling
Agenda items discussed
- 22:42 Approval of Rule 45 report for April 2026: passed
- 24:29 Appointment of David Glockner as Inspector General: passed
- 1:28:29 Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Fair Access to Democracy Ordinance (substitute): passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Matthew J. Martin (chair): Said the prior Inspector General vacancy lasted over six months, that a committee ordinance created a more structured appointment process, and that he is confident Glockner has the experience and vision for the office. (1:17:33); Asked the city attorney to confirm that the advisory council's experience criteria do not require professional experience, so a nurse, teacher or student could qualify. (2:15:05)
- Chris Taliaferro (alderperson): Moved to hold public comment until later in the meeting because two committee meetings were taking place at the same time, so that people wishing to speak could participate. (22:58)
- Scott Waguespack (alderperson): Asked how Glockner would address compliance problems at sister agencies, citing the Park District and sister agency employees not paying debts to the city. (34:11); Asked how the Inspector General would handle reported violence or intimidation by officials, and urged consistent enforcement of conduct standards for elected and appointed officials. (37:16); Asked whether the Board of Elections was consulted and said most of the advisory council's responsibilities appear to already fall within the Board's work. (2:17:10)
- Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Asked what a realistic timeframe would be to resolve investigations, citing a case resolved two years after the incident and long-pending PPP fraud cases. (41:35); Asked Glockner to be upfront about staffing needs at budget time and said cases involving elected officials and senior officials should be prioritized. (44:58); Asked how OIG audit recommendations can be turned into actionable policy and suggested working with the mayor's process improvement staff. (46:12)
- Jason C. Ervin (alderperson): Said his conversation with Glockner was refreshing because the Inspector General should function like an internal audit function focused on risk-based auditing, and stated his support. (50:16)
- Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Asked what the ComEd bribery scandal taught Glockner about how corruption becomes normalized in institutions. (52:04); Asked how the proposed advisory council would differ from and relate to the Board of Elections and what gap it fills. (1:45:55); Said she supports the effort but is concerned about enforcement and resources, and asked about the council's relationship with CDOT on capital improvements and whether there is budget to staff it. (1:50:58)
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Asked how Glockner would handle the historically tense relationship between the Inspector General and mayoral administrations. (58:41); Asked how the OIG and legislators can work together on improvements while preserving the office's independence. (1:01:50); Asked whether the OIG would examine the city's budget process and said he believes there should be an independent budget office; stated he would support the appointment. (1:03:57)
- William Conway (alderperson): Asked whether aldermen should cooperate with Inspector General investigations, then cited a 2025 OIG report saying the mayor's office declined to discipline a senior employee found to have failed to cooperate. (1:07:28); Asked whether Glockner discussed that staff member's investigations with him or made promises to anyone in the administration about cases; Glockner answered no to both. (1:12:21); Asked why Glockner would take the job given concerns about the administration, then said he was inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt based on his reputation. (1:14:18)
- Samantha Nugent (alderperson): Asked whether this is the city's first anti-doxxing law and how its penalties compare with state law. (2:05:11); Asked the Buildings Commissioner how building owners are notified of mailbox violations. (2:06:05); Raised concerns about electioneering and suggested candidates for office should not serve on the advisory council. (2:06:59)
- Matthew J. O'Shea (alderperson): Asked whether any Chicago Board of Elections commissioners or its executive director were present and whether anyone could name them, noting their absence from the hearing. (2:27:38)
Exchanges between members
- 22:58 Alderperson Chris Taliaferro raised a point of order with the chair asking that public comment be moved later in the meeting.
- 49:39 Alderperson Bennett R. Lawson followed up on Alderperson Scott Waguespack point about conduct standards and extremism.
- 50:16 Alderperson Jason C. Ervin thanked the chair for allowing him to comment as a non-committee member.
- 58:17 Chair Matthew J. Martin thanked Alderperson Nicole T. Lee after her questions.
- 1:03:57 Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. raised a question building on Alderperson Jason C. Ervin comments about risk assessment.
- 2:16:03 Chair Matthew J. Martin interjected on Alderperson Samantha Nugent question about membership criteria and then returned the floor to her.
- 2:23:55 Alderperson Scott Waguespack referred to Alderperson Samantha Nugent question about checks and balances when asking about enforcement.