Faisal Khan responds to a recent Tribune editorial

The article he is responding to can be found here.

August 2, 2012

Dear Chicago Tribune Editorial Board,

The concerns raised in your editorial today, “The watchdog isn’t welcome,” are clear. However, just as I recognize and respect your opinions regarding this matter, I also ask that you take other relevant information into consideration. It is clear that you failed to seek, review, and/or consider information that was available to you in the public domain prior to the publishing of your one-sided editorial. Here are some examples of basic information you omitted, which have bearing on this discussion:

The LIG Ordinance is clear. It provides the LIG with authority to investigate allegation(s) of breach of fiduciary duty by a city council official or employee. Any impropriety in the workman’s comp program on the part of City Council personnel would clearly violate that tenet of the law. Since the staff on the Committee on Finance have exclusive and exhaustive control over the data within that program, far greater than ministerial duties as claimed by many, any wrongdoing or allegation of impropriety would fall exclusively against them, and thus, within LIG oversight.
An LIG investigation can be commenced without approval from anyone. The role of the Board of Ethics is not only to verify my investigations and act as a safeguard to ensure that I do not go on a “witch-hunt” serving my own interests, as some have done in the past, but also to make sure investigations are completed in a fair and just manner, thereby ensuring equal protection of all parties. To date, the Board of Ethics has not challenged any investigative request or findings.
My semi-annual report dated July 30, 2012 (and provided to multiple reporters on your staff prior to your editorial), documents 20 ongoing and active investigations against City Council personnel, and includes matters that have already been referred for potential criminal prosecution. Another investigation has already been completed (again, your newspaper was notified of this). In this matter, it was determined that a council employee abused his authority by threatening police officers with loss of employment should they arrest him for committing a separate crime.
On Monday, July 30, 2012, I announced on television, via WTTW Chicago Tonight, that I have and will exert jurisdiction and audit the workman’s comp program.

My challenge as LIG is not only the actual work of investigating allegations of misconduct, but also convincing the citizens of Chicago that there is genuine oversight focused exclusively on Aldermen and City Council staff. So, when this editorial and similar ones in the past offer predetermined opinions defining the outcome of my work as a failure, when in reality that work has not yet been completed and/or even begun, it only undermines any inroads that can be made in fighting a culture of corruption. I am not offended by being called a “watch puppy,” but when careless statements like this are made, a disservice is done to the citizens of this city. The implication that the LIG cannot or will not fulfill the mission tasked is simply false. This is not an accurate reflection of my work to date, and any statement otherwise is flat out wrong.

What I do agree with you is on one thing: the taxpayers have a right to know about this program. So, I will make the record clear: There will be oversight. The program records will be turned over to the Office of the Legislative Inspector General. I will do a complete audit that everyone will have an opportunity to review. If there is something wrong, it will be found. I welcome anyone’s concerns regarding the workman’s compensation program, including that of the Tribune and the City IG’s Office. I intend to effectuate real change in this City, and will rely on many things, including support from the Tribune and the residents of Chicago. Any predetermined and dismissive editorials simply will not get the job done.

Respectfully,

Faisal Khan

Legislative Inspector General