Chicago Corruption: Highlights (Or Lowlights) From The Inspector General's Report

Joe Ferguson has had his hands full.

As Chicago's Inspector General, he's in charge of investigating allegations of fraud, waste and abuse in city government. And according to a report released by Ferguson's office yesterday, there was plenty to investigate.

From getting paychecks in jail to stealing auto parts to covering up a car crash, there were ethical violations and criminal acts to go around. Which of these offenses is the worst? And why does our city have such a problem with corruption in government? Or is this just what you'd expect anywhere? Vote on our slideshow, and weigh in on the comments below.

(Information from the Inspector General's report, as covered by the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune.)

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Killing Puppies

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As has been widely reported elsewhere, untrained employees at Chicago's Animal Care and Control mistakenly euthanized four dogs that were supposed to be returned to their owners. After an attempted cover-up and "terrible mismanagement," according to the report, eight people were fired.

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As has been widely reported elsewhere, untrained employees at Chicago's Animal Care and Control mistakenly euthanized four dogs that were supposed to be returned to their owners. After an attempted cover-up and "terrible mismanagement," according to the report, eight people were fired.

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This Corruption

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Petty Criminal

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Top 5 Corrupt Acts

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Comments

[superchitownguy]

02:58 PM on 07/18/2010

Daley and his criminal Minions,should be put into cages,to save Chicago from their Kleptocracy we call Government

Mayor Daley allowed two of his thug ,convicted Building Inspector to remain on the city payroll,after being convicted for shaking down,people.

Mario Olivella ,and Michael Reese are still on the city payroll,as ghost payroller,while Daley gives pink slip to Teachers and Bus Drivers.

Here is a video of Mario Olivella buying food at the food coach ,and rushing back to his $90,000 a year do-nothing job on 120 .North Racine,in the Building Department.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRVL_dTGfN8&feature=related

[VOTER]

03:59 PM on 07/18/2010

Where is a link?
The guy was convicted this year, but you're the first one I've read stating he
is on a "ghost payroll."
Where did you read it?

[enoughofrr]

04:12 PM on 07/18/2010

This has been going on for 150 years. Where in the h3LL are you from?

[Sherian]

07:30 AM on 07/18/2010

If that had been my dog that they killed, then that person would no longer be alive. Shame Shame on the mayor for letting this happen. Didn't his mother or father teach him to respect the animal kingdom? From what I see of his years in the office, all Mayor Daley respects is MONEY, POWER and GREED.

[ChiGuy]

09:59 PM on 07/17/2010

In a city the size of Chicago, with who knows how many employees, I suspect this puts Chicago on a par with plenty of municipalities.

[corwin]

12:04 AM on 07/18/2010

Right. No one is any worse than anyone else!

[corwin]

12:12 AM on 07/18/2010

My previous answer wasn flip,and I want to expand on it a bit. Sure ,Chi -Town is corrupt. But,its problems are much more endemic. The city ,and its ruling Party (which is what? ) have sold access/favors in exchange for economic favors since time im memorial . I doubt f many of you have any real knowledge of the bond market, but,it doesn't trust Illinois. The state is nearly down to pay check borrowing rates, and it's worse3ning. MY ex is from a big real estate family. They've been chortling at the drop of good properties. Now,they're worried the drop will continue.
I think Illinois is more precarious than California. ANd,now citizens are going to be able to arm themselves. I wonder how that will play.
It just keeps getting better,doesn't it?

[HankyJoe]

10:33 AM on 07/18/2010

You are right. I think it will get worse. A condo unit in the building I live in is on the market for 50 thousand; this is signifcantly less than what I purchased my unit for 5 years ago.

[Venerable]

04:13 PM on 07/17/2010

Same old Same old! We have been Daley to open up the books for a forensic audit on the Chicago Public School books. What is there to hide. It is all public money. Why the secrecy! Forensic audit now!

[Ryan Williams]

02:28 PM on 07/17/2010

That's it huh? A few city employees trying to cover up their mistakes and getting a couple of checks when they shouldn't have.

I'm sure there's no other, more heinous corruption present in Chicago. Now that the 'truth' has been uncovered, we should all just stop worrying about it and go back to Pitchfork.

[MDayne]

12:51 PM on 07/17/2010

I have often told the story of when I was in line for a movie in Chicago and the guy ahead takes out his wallet, gets two tickets, but pays no money. Upon inquiry the ticket taker told me "oh he's a Chicago cop" enough said.

http://daynepost.blogspot.com/

[ChiGuy]

09:54 PM on 07/17/2010

Not enough said, unless you understand something:

Courtesies are extended to police officers all the time, and all across the country. Not just in Chicago.
Free meals, free coffee, free movies, etc. And it's not because they are corruptly demanding it.

I was in the restaurant business for more than 25 years, and the only police officers who paid for their food and/or drinks were those who insisted upon doing so.

[marcar72]

09:55 AM on 07/18/2010

No, you do not understand. By accepting these gifts the officer becomes tied in a relationship that may result in favors for the gift giver. Any one who believes you didn't probably receive some kind of return even if just avoiding a speeding or parking ticket would be very naive .

[VOTER]

12:40 PM on 07/17/2010

The most egregious scandal in IL is Mark LIAR Kirk being allowed to continue
his senate campaign instead of being kicked out of public life right now.

Kudos to the Chicago Tribune for continuing to carry LIAR Kirk's baggage.

[marcar72]

09:56 AM on 07/18/2010

Kirk or the Democrat candidate both cut from the same cloth. We need a new third party and we need people to vote for them.

[VOTER]

10:31 AM on 07/18/2010

Someday but not this coming November.

Voting third party this year is a Vote for LIAR KIRK.
You know it.
Kirk supporters are all over the place advocating third party voting.
It is just another KIRK LIE.

[corwin]

10:52 AM on 07/18/2010

Piling on just a bit more.Recall VP BIden's claims of finishing in the top haalf of his class (76 of 85). It could be he's bad at higher math. (He is a Democrat. they don't do technical stuff well.) Got to go.But Slo Joe is such a character, I will return to this later. Remember, lies are disqualifying.When I return,we'll discuss SJ's claims of being under fire et al. I believe there is a web site dedicated to the VP's mis statements when tired.

[corwin]

10:42 AM on 07/18/2010

Diffidently, I point out,being a liar in no way is a disqualification for office. let me refresh your memory.SOS H Clinton talked of landing in Bosnia with her daughter (under fire). When a video surfaced,disproving this,it became,"We were being fired upon while flying,and told to put our seat cushions on the floor for protection. (This really happened,Doctor.)When the pilot said that didn't happen, she claimed ,"I mis spoke ,be cause i was tired."
Would you believe this is a lie/
Should SOS Clinton be r3emoved from office?

[VOTER]

01:16 PM on 07/18/2010

Yes, I believe she lied. There is no way a mother would not recall
her daughter being caught in gun fire. Was she chastised for it? Yes.
Is she President of the USA? No.

No matter how many lies or exaggerations you wish to discuss, there
is not a single Congressman able to top LIAR KIRK.

He was elected into office based upon his lies AND due to
his LIES ABOUT WMDs, he is responsible for how
many deaths?

There is no exaggeration about the problems associated with KIRK'S LIES.
Those of us living in the 10th District have been denied our representation
based upon KIRK'S LIES.
LIAR KIRK SHOULD RESIGN, TODAY!

At least, he'd have one day out in public doing the right thing which
is something he has eluded for years.

[tissa]

10:05 AM on 07/17/2010

I am a life long Chicagoan, and I have to say that I believe that this corruption wrap is because we actually catch the guys who are doing the bad things.

Othere places have corruption as well but are never caught or prosecuted....so we end up getting the bad reputation, while others continue as they are without their constituents knowing about their corruption.

Look at Ensign, he was caught bribing the h eck out of people and is till in office and still has support and has not been prosecuted for it. What's up with that?

So, at the end of the day that is how it works, I am proud that at least we catch our bad people.

I also think that the Al Capone days have marred us for good, people cannot forget what happened 50 years ago it seems....

[VOTER]

12:36 PM on 07/17/2010

I agree.

Another pass was given to Sanford. While his totally irresponsible behavior was
given press coverage & most due to his personal failure as a husband and
father, very little was given when the state govenment
made the guy pay a small fine and kept him in office.
Imagine the headlines if Sanford had been from IL..........

[AnotherMcIntosh]

11:52 PM on 07/16/2010

Q: Do you know what they call an honest judge in Chicago?

A: A tourist.

[VOTER]

08:37 AM on 07/17/2010

Q: Do you know what they call an honest person in IL?

A: Anyone not supporting Republican LIAR KIRK.

[knightoftheroundtable]

09:30 PM on 07/16/2010

No crooks in chicago, just politicians.

[Aldyth]

05:28 PM on 07/16/2010

In Chicago, we only admire successful criminals. For example, a governor of Illinois who gets through two terms without indictment is truly successful.

[VOTER]

08:33 AM on 07/17/2010

True. Thompson and Edgar.

[Lakeview Greg]

04:12 PM on 07/16/2010

Nope. Not a perfect city. But still, we are the best city in the world. Period.

[weirwolf]

08:06 PM on 07/16/2010

hahahhahhhahahah, im sorry.

[tissa]

10:07 AM on 07/17/2010

Where are you from so we can assess? Joe the plumbers hometown?

[VOTER]

08:19 AM on 07/17/2010

BINGO!

[seniorfellow]

04:11 PM on 07/16/2010

why would anyone vote for a Democrat in Chicago or Cook County

[roald]

04:14 PM on 07/16/2010

Because the Republicans are worse?

This situation exists when one party controls for too long. Corruption at the top oozes down throughout the organization.

[Aldyth]

05:29 PM on 07/16/2010

My grandparents died 35 years ago and I'm sure they vote in every election. Straight party ticket, too.

[VOTER]

08:21 AM on 07/17/2010

Ha!
Your grandparents may still be voting but I suggest you look for their names on the
voting records in Florida and Ohio.