LAWS AND REGULATIONS
Several documents define the powers and independence of the Inspector General's Office. Chief among them is Chicago Municipal Ordinance 2-56, which was amended on May 12, 2010. Portions of the ordinance, including updates, are summarized below.
- CHICAGO MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE 2-56 (PDF)*
Establishes and defines the jurisdiction and duties of the Inspector General's Office ("IGO") and contains key concepts:- Independence: The IGO is an independent agency of City government. The ordinance provides that the Inspector General ("IG") shall be appointed to a term of four years. This term is not linked to that of the Mayor. Further, the IG may only be removed "for cause", as determined by majority vote of the City Council following a hearing.
- Broad Jurisdiction: The IGO has authority to investigate allegations of wrongdoing, the performance of governmental officers, employees, functions and programs, either in response to complaints or on the inspector general's own initiative. This authority extends to all City officials, employees, those doing business with the city and those seeking city certification. Members of the City Council, their staff, and City Council Committees and staff are excluded.
- Confidentiality: IGO investigatory files and reports are confidential and shall not be divulged except to law enforcement entities or as otherwise provided in the Ordinance. In addition, all information regarding pending investigations is strictly confidential.
- Accountability: Under section 2-56-065 of the Municipal Code, if the inspector general issues a recommendation of discipline to a department head or other affected entity, that entity must respond in writing to that recommendation within 30 days. The final response must include a description of any disciplinary action the department head has taken with respect to the employee in question. If the department head or affected entity did not take any disciplinary action, or took a different disciplinary action than that recommended by the inspector general, the department head or affected entity must describe the different action and explain the reasoning for it.
- Duty to Cooperate: Section 2-156-090 states, "It shall be the duty of every officer, employee, department, agency, contractor, subcontractor and licensee of the city, and every applicant for certification of eligibility for a city contract or program, to cooperate with the inspector general in any investigation or hearing undertaken pursuant to this chapter. Each department's premises, equipment, personnel, books, records, and papers shall be made available as soon as practicable to the inspector general."
- EXECUTIVE ORDER 2005-2
Makes it the duty of every City employee to report wrongdoing to the Inspector General and imposes disciplinary action, up to and including discharge, for any employee who fails to do so in a timely manner. - SHAKMAN COURT ORDER REGARDING HIRING BY THE IGO
Provides for a completely independent hiring process for the IGO, with some reporting requirements to the Court-appointed Shakman Decree Monitor.