Deborah Witzburg announced her decision not to seek a second term as Chicago’s inspector general, a move that plays out like an unceremonious goodbye amid ongoing disagreements with Mayor Brandon Johnson.
The relationship between Witzburg and Johnson has been fraught over various ethics issues, making it no surprise that a reappointment seemed unlikely. Witzburg, who championed a two-term limit with ambitions of serving the full eight years, stated, “I have not had a conversation with the mayor about it,” suggesting that her departure was not entirely unexpected.
Witzburg referred to the eight-year term as “a limit — not a requirement,” signaling her intention to leave on a strong note, especially as her office succeeded in instituting numerous ethics reforms.
She expressed confidence in her tenure, stating, “I will have done what I came here to do,” emphasizing her commitment to improving the city’s governance.
Alderman Matt Martin, chair of the City Council’s Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight, praised Witzburg for her “perfect work” and expressed hope that she would pursue a second term, showcasing the split opinions about her effectiveness.
This dynamic of strained relationships between mayors and inspectors general is a recurring theme in Chicago’s political landscape, noted for its turbulence regardless of who occupies the mayor’s office.
Over the years, four mayors—Richard M. Daley, Rahm Emanuel, Lori Lightfoot, and Brandon Johnson—have found themselves in contentious relationships with the individuals appointed to oversee the city’s ethical conduct.
Each administration exhibits a distinct style, but the end result often resembles a messy divorce between power holders.
Alderman Martin remarked on the integrity of watchdogs who expose the good, bad, and ugly aspects of governance, asserting the critical need for principled independence in these roles.
The roots of the inspector general’s office trace back to Richard M. Daley’s administration, where the position was created to replace the Office of Municipal Investigations after criticism of the previous administration’s ethics failures.
Daley appointed Alexander Vroustouris, who managed to stay on for an impressive 16 years.
While Vroustouris managed to highlight lower-level corruption, he largely avoided confronting more significant issues like minority business fraud and cronyism that plagued the Daley administration.
His most notable incident of pushing the envelope involved uncovering a ghost payroll scandal in the 1st Ward, bringing to light the mismanagement of city resources.
However, once the city’s corruption was brought to the forefront by federal investigators, Vroustouris resigned amid criticism that he had not done enough to investigate serious wrongdoing.
In the wake of mounting scandals, Daley turned to former federal prosecutor David Hoffman to lead the inspector general’s office, hoping for a fresh approach.
Hoffman made it clear that he intended to operate independently, focusing on necessary investigations for improving governance, despite facing resistance from Daley’s administration.
Hoffman’s efforts to address widespread issues often led to tensions with the mayor, particularly regarding his conclusions about significant financial missteps like the privatization of Chicago’s parking meters.
The fallout from Hoffman’s findings prompted Daley to publicly contest his analyses, underscoring the friction that arose from independent oversight.
Hoffman ultimately did not seek a second term after facing continual pushback from the administration, while the final years were marked by growing tensions.
Joe Ferguson took over from Hoffman, a decision bolstered by recommendations from Lori Lightfoot, who would later conflict with him during her term as mayor.
When Emanuel succeeded Daley, tensions re-ignited over Ferguson’s audits and suggestions regarding city spending adjustments, which didn’t sit well with Emanuel.
Ferguson notably warned that the city’s inefficiencies could lead to increased misconduct, a statement that reflected a growing divide between his office and the mayor’s.
Their disputes escalated to legal battles over the inspector general’s access to city documents, culminating in a case heard by the Illinois Supreme Court.
Despite the tumult, former Kind Kirk Claypool praised Ferguson as a commendable inspector general for his integrity.
Interestingly, Ferguson eventually earned reappointments after key investigations, particularly following a significant corruption scandal in the city.
Upon Lightfoot’s arrival, her initial rapport with Ferguson quickly soured as investigations ramped up, showcasing the challenges of maintaining independence in the face of executive pressure.
Lightfoot’s attempts to distance herself from Ferguson culminated in a push for a new inspector general who would align with her administration’s vision of governance.
Despite her long selection process, Lightfoot eventually appointed Witzburg, sparking debates about how truly independent this move would be.
Witzburg had previously worked closely with Ferguson, significantly challenging the Lightfoot administration and the Chicago Police Department with substantial reports on their operational failings.
Her appointment came after an extended search process marred by skepticism regarding Lightfoot’s commitment to Witzburg as a candidate.
Fast forward to Johnson’s current administration, tensions between Johnson and Witzburg have also begun to surface, particularly surrounding ethics scandals and investigations that have involved significant accusations against the mayor.
Witzburg accused Johnson of accepting valuable gifts, while also alleging that he, along with Lightfoot, interfered with her ongoing investigations.
The most recent ethics reforms suggested underlying motives aimed at easing the path for closer oversight and less obstruction to ensure internal investigations can carry on without hindrance.
As Johnson prepares to appoint the next inspector general by spring, Witzburg has expressed hope that the next relationship between City Hall and the watchdog office could be more constructive.
She highlighted the critical nature of having less friction in these relationships, calling for potential futures devoid of conflict and filled with cooperation for improving governance.
Witzburg concluded her tenure with a reminder of the challenges inherent in the role while expressing hope for a future that fosters cooperation instead of hostility.
“This is a challenging relationship between the person in this job and the person on the fifth floor of City Hall.
It need not be a hostile one.
I have seen what it is like to try to do this work when there’s gasoline all over the floor,” Witzburg remarked, leaving the door open for a more harmonious collaboration moving forward.
image source from：chicago
