Mayor Rahm Emanuel today announced that he is recommending to the Board of the Public Building Commission (PBC) and the City Council that Inspector General (IG) Joe Ferguson’s investigatory authority be expanded to the PBC.

“Moving from a contracted Inspector General to a full-time Inspector General will increase efficiencies and enhance oversight over the PBC,” said Mayor Emanuel. “From rewriting the entire ethics code in collaboration with City Council and the IG to achieving Shakman compliance, my administration is increasing accountability and changing the way Chicago government does business.”

Currently, the City IG has the jurisdiction to investigate all City departments. On Wednesday, Mayor Emanuel will introduce two measures to City Council that expand the IG’s investigatory authority.

First, Mayor Emanuel will introduce an amendment to the Municipal Code to allow the City IG to have jurisdiction over other agencies. The Mayor will also introduce an intergovernmental agreement between the City and the PBC that would provide the City IG investigative authority over the PBC. The powers and duties of the City IG under this agreement are, in substance, the same as those his office carries out for the City under the Municipal Code. The proposed agreement makes clear that those powers and duties apply to a special-purpose sister agency.

“We welcome Mayor Emanuel’s decision to broaden the scope of the Inspector General’s duties to include oversight of the Public Building Commission,” said Erin Lavin Cabonargi, Executive Director of the PBC. “As the chairman of the PBC, Mayor Emanuel is leading by example and demonstrating his commitment to transparency, cost efficiencies and good government. We pledge our full support and will work closely with Mr. Ferguson to ensure a smooth transition.”
It is anticipated that the PBC will take these measures to their Board in October.

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