Application Posted For City Council Inspector General
CHICAGO (WBBM) -- The City Council is taking applications for the job of being the Council's own Inspector General.
As WBBM Newsradio 780 Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports, it's a sore point for some aldermen, but city Inspector General Joseph Ferguson does not have jurisdiction over the City Council.
LISTEN: Newsradio 780 Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports
Podcast
Nearly a year ago, the aldermen voted to create an inspector general of their own.
Now, the blue ribbon panel in charge of selecting the top candidates has posted an application on the city's Web site.
The panel is chaired by former Cook County Circuit Court Judge Julia Nowicki, who was once the monitor for the city's compliance with the Shakman decree against political hiring.
Terry Hillard was also a member of the panel, but dropped out when he was asked to return as police superintendent.
The new watchdog, officially titled the legislative inspector general, will be appointed on the vote of two thirds of aldermen. The ordinance requires that the inspector general be elected "solely on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability."
Candidates for the watchdog job have until April 20 to submit an application.
Backers say a City Council inspector general won't simply do the mayor's bidding, but critics say the inspector general will be too close to the Concil to be effective.
