There has been a lot of discussion in recent months about how to handle 15 citizen complaint files which a temporary inspector general firm out of Chicago opened a year ago. The firm’s contract ended in February 2015 and there has been no action on the files since then. I would like to explain how the city council tried to move this matter to a resolution at last week’s council meeting.
A majority of the council voted 6-4 that the Langfelder administration take possession of the files from the inactive inspector general firm, review them and take appropriate action based on best judgment. Citizens want action. It is a failure of government to let complaints sit idle, and it is unsound legally to let evidence grow stale.
The entire council appreciates the need to investigate allegations of misconduct and waste. But many don’t want an unaccountable and expensive new bureaucracy called inspector general. The city administration should work on complaints/problems – that is its job. The council and the courts are there as watchdogs. And every four years the voters are the ultimate watchdogs.
A recent State Journal-Register editorial did not cover our serious discussion about how to proceed with the cases but focused instead on flare-ups prior to the 6-4 vote. And last week’s Illinois Times editorial went to a false conclusion – that nothing is getting resolved. False. A majority of the council expressed its will that the administration act on the 15 files. Now the ball is in its court, where it belongs.
Joe McMenamin
Alderman, Ward 7
Joe McMenamin for Ward 7 