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Stroger's cousin gets new county job -- at half the salary

April 16, 2010

A year after Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's cousin was forced out as his top financial official amid a hiring scandal, she's landed a job with the Cook County assessor's office -- at half the salary.

Donna Dunnings will be paid $79,000 a year to run the Cook County Stimulus and Revitalization Project, which provides funds to help developers return to the tax rolls properties they buy with large delinquent property tax bills, said Eric Herman, spokesman for Assessor James Houlihan. She starts in 10 days, he added.

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Mayoral Insider Takes Helm of Colleges Board

April 15, 2010

Produced by Chip Mitchell

A mayoral insider is taking the helm of the City Colleges of Chicago board today.

Mayor Richard Daley announced last month that Gery Chico would join the City Colleges board and become its chair. Chico served as Daley’s chief of staff and has headed the boards of the city’s school district and park system.

The City Council confirmed Chico on Wednesday. Praise came from no fewer than 23 aldermen, including the 48th Ward’s Mary Ann Smith.
 

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Chicago City Council watchdog to wait

April 14, 2010

By Hal Dardick and John Byrne, Tribune Reporters

Chicago aldermen put off a final vote Wednesday on a much-criticized measure that would result in the City Council hiring an internal watchdog who would need permission before launching investigations.

Ald. Brendan Reilly, 42nd, said he doesn't see the point of creating more city bureaucracy in the form of a separate council inspector general, especially when the watchdog powers would be so weak.

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Thanks, aldermen (Editorial)

April 13, 2010

Chicago aldermen are writhing like toddlers frantic to avoid their vaccination shots. They're twisting in every way imaginable to avoid something they've dodged for decades: serious scrutiny from the city's inspector general. If you've wondered how to evaluate City Council members who'll stand for re-election early next year, be grateful. You'll learn more about your alderman's sense of ethics from this one vote than from any other single position he or she has taken.

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Suspended city commissioner moved to Police Department

April 13, 2010

BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter
After serving an unprecedented unpaid three-month suspension for paying millions to a man who once defrauded the city, Fleet Management Commissioner Michael Picardi has found a soft landing at the Chicago Police Department.

Picardi has been reassigned to a $129,096-a-year job as “deputy director” of General Support, which includes the police auto pound, the Equipment and Supply Section, Document Services and Graphics.

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Another City Council Stealth Budget?

April 13, 2010

By HUGH DEVLIN
Contributing Writer


An ongoing, well documented investigative series by the Chicago Tribune into various City Council expense accounts turned up numerous instances of city taxpayers’ largesse to the friends and family members of Chicago aldermen.

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County assessor’s employee quits amid allegations Analyst was accused of seeking a bribe

March 31, 2010
Breaking News:
 
A Cook County assessor's office worker recently resigned amid allegations that he sought a bribe to lower the assessed value of a property, sources said.
 
Assessor James Houlihan's spokesman confirmed an analyst resigned March 25 while on unpaid leave. "We had an employee who was not following the proper procedures, and he was placed on administrative leave and he resigned," Eric Herman said.
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