Corruption-fighting inspector general sharing program comes to Cook County

An inspector general investigates allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, misconduct and related violations of the law involving individuals employed by or doing business with a government agency. With Illinois’ long history of corruption, inspector generals are one of the most important public servants who help make sure taxpayer dollars are being spent appropriately. Unfortunately,...

An inspector general investigates allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, misconduct and related violations of the law involving individuals employed by or doing business with a government agency.

With Illinois’ long history of corruption, inspector generals are one of the most important public servants who help make sure taxpayer dollars are being spent appropriately. Unfortunately, not enough government agencies are using inspector generals to prevent and expose government corruption.

That’s why County Sheriff Tom Dart’s plan to allow local governments in Cook County to share an inspector general is a very good idea.

Earlier this year the village of Dolton became one of the first local governments to take advantage of the program. According to a press release from the Cook County Sheriff:

“Effective immediately, Dolton residents may contact the Sheriff’s Public Corruption Unit to identify past or present instances of fraud, waste, mismanagement and potential corruption. The Sheriff’s Office will be given the authority to investigate these leads and will seek charges or recommend discipline where appropriate.”

The village of Richton Park is also taking advantage of the program. According to Richton Park Mayor Rick Reinbold:

“The price was right,” Reinbold said. “It’s free. We would sign a two-year agreement and if it’s not working out, we would cancel it at the end of that time.”

Every local government in Illinois should seriously consider contracting or hiring an inspector general to provide an outside look at the operations of their agency. If they can’t afford a full-time inspector general they should look at hiring one on a periodic basis or sharing one with other local governments. An inspector general can be both a preventative corruption-fighting measure and to way to reveal and punish those who are violating the law.

Illinois needs more corruption fighters. Kudos to Sheriff Dart’s program to share inspector generals with other, small local government agencies.