CHICAGO — A recent investigation by Chicago’s inspector general has uncovered several violations among city employees, including incidents of drinking while on duty and falsifying their work hours.
As her tenure draws to a close next week, Inspector General Deborah Witzburg reflects on the challenges and importance of her role, acknowledging the difficulties and rewards inherent in her work.
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“This job has been both more rewarding and exciting and much harder than I anticipated,” Witzburg remarked.
Witzburg has chosen not to pursue a second four-year term and will be stepping down from her position soon.
She expresses confidence that she is leaving the office in a stronger state than when she arrived, crediting new legislation passed by the City Council aimed at safeguarding the office’s independence.
“We are working towards building a city government that better reflects what Chicagoans deserve,” Witzburg stated.
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That means turning a lens on city government, as the city’s top watchdog.
Witzburg says the office’s work has not been welcomed by the Johnson administration, which she says has demonstrated hostility to oversight.
“During this administration we have seen what I think is a pattern of decisions to challenge, disempower and to obstruct the work of this office,” Witzburg said.
In a response, a spokesperson said Mayor Brandon Johnson remains committed to transparency and ethical governance.
This follows Witzburg’s final report as inspector general that found four officers failed to properly investigate after a vehicle driven by a Chicago Fire Department employee struck and killed an individual. It also found several police officers allegedly scammed COVID-era relief funds and several Department of Aviation employees were drinking on the job.
“That investigation revealed alcohol consumption on city time, falsification, failure to report misconduct, shady statements to the OIG,” Witzburg said.
Witzburg’s last day is next Friday. She says an interim inspector general will likely be appointed, while the process gets underway to identify her successor.
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