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* Today’s is Faisal Khan’s last day as the city council’s inspector general. He’s going out with a bang…
FBI agents seized a trove of investigative documents, computers and files from legislative inspector general Faisal Khan’s office on Friday, its last day overseeing Chicago elected officials.
“We received a subpoena of the FBI to take custody of our files and our computers with the understanding [that] we are working with them on a number of investigations,” Khan told POLITICO on Sunday. “In order to protect the integrity of these cases, we had to take the extraordinary step to make sure they don’t end up in the wrong hands.”
Khan said some of the officials he investigated were “devoid of ethical morals and values.” […]
While trashed by aldermen, investigators were routinely meeting with the U.S. attorney’s office, the Department of Treasury and other federal entities, sources tell POLITICO. At least three cases that originated with the office have evolved into full-blown federal grand jury investigations, sources say. And at least three aldermen are undergoing scrutiny and have hired attorneys.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 9:18 am
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Heh. Good.
Comment by Anon Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 9:22 am
Awesome! And after reading the linked article, I am eating some foie gras and sending the leftovers to Joe Moore.
Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 9:24 am
“The Chicago City Council: You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.” — Obi-Wan Kenobi, ‘Council Wars: Episode IV - A New Mope’
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 9:31 am
His comments on the extent of corruption and lack of oversight in the “Wild West” of Chicago are damning.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 9:33 am
A 50-ward City Council serves two purposes:
– prevents an alderman from building a a power base to challenge a mayor.
– allows the more clever aldermen to avoid federal scrutiny as its just way too easy to pick off the real stupid ones.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 9:34 am
While this is a noteworthy development to be sure, the use of the word seize seems a bit over the top. It seems to me that Khan would gift wrapped the files if he had the time.
Comment by Anonish Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 9:39 am
It’s not even a year old and this book has to be updated.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0252078551?keywords=corrupt%20illinois&qid=1447688566&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
Comment by Steve Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 9:43 am
If you can’t take the scrootening, stay out of the Khanchen.
Guess the alder-critters were right to be afraid–but I never understand why an un-corrupt majority will take soooo much heat to protect a corrupt few–are they trying to keep their options open, if they ever need to get on the take in the future?
Comment by Chris Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 10:14 am
There is no need for 50 aldermen. The system breeds corruption and is very expensive. A city council of 10, plus a mayor is more than sufficient.
Comment by Tone Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 10:25 am
===A 50-ward City Council===
Well said Word, as usual. I find it equally hilarious and sad that the latest mobilizing trend is to bring back an elected school board. Maybe some of the Mensa members who think that’s a swell idea ought to put their energy to better use and focus instead on modernizing the City Council.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 10:36 am
An elected school board is a terrible idea. Karen Lewis essentially bankrupting the City would be the result.
Comment by Tone Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 10:37 am
Also, KHAAAAN!
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 10:38 am
Oh 10? Really?
I view it differently. The sheer number - 50 - makes it more difficult to have a major impact. With a ten member council, a payoff of 3-4 would have a substantial impact on city policies. Not so much with 50 members.
- The article proves why the IG is a waste of time & money. The Feds are investigating. They have more tools.
The true or real IG, both legislative and executive, is the US Attorney’s office. The other ones run around seeing if city workers live in the city and are inept. Kind of like the IGmajy of us knew growing up: Inspector Gadget
Comment by low level Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 10:42 am
==There is no need for 50 aldermen. The system breeds corruption and is very expensive. A city council of 10, plus a mayor is more than sufficient.==
Chicago has lost 1 million residents since 1950, yet maintains the same number of wards since then (50). LA has only 15 districts representing 1 million more residents than Chicago. NY has 51 Council members but over 3 times the population of Chicago. Both seem to get by just fine on less representation per capita.
I would wager you could remove 20 wards and no one would blink an eye. Well, maybe the aldermen. I would bet the progressive caucus would approve a reduction in wards.
Comment by nixit71 Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 10:47 am
==latest mobilizing trend is to bring back an elected school board==
Why not put 3 of the 7 school board positions up for vote? Then the mayor would still have majority control and the people/CTU could at least have a minority voice in the process. And it would only take one vote to flip a board decision.
Comment by nixit71 Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 10:51 am
Chicago Trek II - The Wrath of Khan,
Comment by 4 percent Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 10:56 am
The City and Feds could both use a hand. It is time for the attorney gen to choose to take a more proactive approach in this area, as occurs with a.g.’s in many other states. Some defend her track record in saying she hands off her investigations to the Feds, but if that were the case the Feds or her office would at least mention her office and her role initiating the investigation when announcing their indictments. Other than Rod Blagojevich, her leadership in fighting public corruption leaves much to be desired and little proof of action by the a.g.
Lisa Madigan, candidate for attorney general, Aug. 29, 2002:
“It’s time that Illinois’ highest legal official takes an active, hands-on role in cleaning up government. That’s what people expect of their leaders and elected officials. And I will not let them down.”
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 10:58 am
” - Anonymous - ”
Read the constitution as to what the duties of the Attorney General are.
Get back to us. Ugh.
To the Post,
Wasn’t Ald. Moore suppose to have taken a job with Pat Quinn’s administration or something, something…
Ald. Moore, on his own, has little to do with the City Council having 10 members or 50 members.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 11:07 am
Tone, you’re right — it would be irresponsible to consider changing the sober and competent financial management of CPS that we’ve seen in the decades of direct mayoral control.
47, I actually can’t see how an elected school board could do any worse than Daley and Emanuel when it comes to school finances.
But it ain’t going to happen anytime soon. I’m quite certain that is something Rauner, the Four Tops and Emanuel can all agree on.
When you elect a Chicago mayor, you elect the head of CPS, CTA, Park District and more.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 11:08 am
The Feds need help? With their unlimited resources?
What other states have AG’s with any significant policing powers over public officials?
Comment by low level Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 11:09 am
My point is, were we to have a smaller, more engaged City Council, that would have a more beneficial impact on CPS, and also CTA, the Park District, etc.
Again, if I was going to bother circulating petitions to try to change things in Chicago, I might start instead with changing the city council. Fat chance I know, but at least it targets the disease itself and not simply a symptom.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 11:13 am
11:07, I would rather take her own word for it. Maybe you a could read her website and then get back to us on the role the a.g. can and should have in fighting corruption: “The Attorney General should play a significant role in fighting corruption — both private and public”.
The City Council’s i.g. just sounded the alarm and made some of the clearest statements imaginable concerning the scope of public corruption in Chicago. Why wouldn’t you want the a.g. to lend more of a hand, when it is obvious even she agrees the office has the authority and ability to play a major role in fighting public corruption? Chicago’s i.g. says the city needs help, and she can provide it.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 12:07 pm
” - Anonymous - ” (ugh)
So the constitutional duties and following those rules are inconsequential to what, even back to General Jim Ryan acknowledged what the duties are of the Attorney General of Illinois, and what they are not.
Use the search key, this has been hashed out, and both parties that have had occupants in the Constitutional Office acknowledge the real role, not the political pandering… especially once they take the oath.
Please, keep up.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 12:13 pm
==There is no need for 50 aldermen. The system breeds corruption and is very expensive. A city council of 10, plus a mayor is more than sufficient.==
Chicago has lost 1 million residents since 1950, yet maintains the same number of wards since then (50). LA has only 15 districts representing 1 million more residents than Chicago. NY has 51 Council members but over 3 times the population of Chicago. Both seem to get by just fine on less representation per capita.
Post spot on!!! All in all the manufacturing jobs and crony tax deals and you can get a better look at real problem.
I would look ate ten alderman with two term limits. Might be nice if they held only on government job at time they served.
Comment by Cannon649 Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 1:34 pm