Watchdog, alderman in tug of war over documents

By John Byrne

Chicago's government watchdog and one of the city's most powerful aldermen are locked in a standoff over records that could shed light on the city's disability payments to injured employees.

Inspector General Joseph Ferguson's office released a statement Thursday saying that City Council Finance Committee Chairman Ald. Edward Burke, 14th, has repeatedly denied the office access to records "needed to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of a city program."