June 1956
The City’s first internal watchdog agency—the Department of Investigation—is created by an amendment to the Municipal Code of Chicago (MCC).
History
OIG history
Read about the history of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) from its origins–with the establishment of the City of Chicago Department of Investigation in 1956, the Shakman lawsuit of 1969 that drove oversight of the City’s employment actions, the 2016 legislation creating a dedicated public safety section, and other significant milestones that have shaped the present-day organization.
January 1978
Responding to a Chicago Sun-Times expose of corrupt City employees, Mayor Michael Bilandic establishes the Office of Professional Review.
November 1980
Mayor Jane Byrne establishes the Office of Municipal Investigations, a hybrid CPD/civilian agency, to combat employee misconduct.
September 1989
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is added to the MCC. The original version of the ordinance gives OIG jurisdiction over Council members and staff, but a Council committee removes that feature before enactment.
October 1989
Alexander Vroustouris is confirmed as the City’s first Inspector General.
July 2007
OIG begins to exercise authority to perform audits of City departmental operations.
March 2010
The City transfers from its Office of Compliance to OIG the authority to monitor and report on compliance with the Shakman decree, a federal court order originally issued in 1972 to remove political considerations from City hiring practices.
April 2010
The Office of Legislative Inspector General (OLIG) is created by amendment to the MCC. OLIG has limited jurisdiction over City Council members and employees, but is hampered from the outset by Council resistance and funding issues.
July 2013
The City amends the MCC to expand OIG’s jurisdiction to include the authority to investigate lobbying, campaign finance, and other violations of the City deemed in compliance with Shakman Decree.
June 2014
The City is found to be in Substantial Compliance as defined in the Shakman decree, ending federal oversight of the City’s hiring practices. OIG’s Hiring Oversight unit continues to monitor compliance with the City’s hiring plans.
October 2014
The City amends the MCC to allow OIG to acquire jurisdiction over any Sister Agency that agrees to the arrangement. The Public Building Commission and OIG execute an intergovernmental agreement pursuant to the new law.
March 2015
The City amends the MCC to establish a statutory floor for OIG’s annual budget, consisting of a percentage of the total City funds appropriated by City Council.
December 2015
Mayor Rahm Emanuel announces formation of Police Accountability Task Force (PATF), in response to the October 2014 shooting of Laquan McDonald by a member of the Chicago Police Department (CPD).
February 2016
The City closes OLIG and transfers to OIG investigative jurisdiction over City Council members and employees.
November 2016
As recommended by the PATF in April 2016, the City establishes the role of Deputy Inspector General for Public Safety within OIG.
January 2017
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issues a report, drawing on work of PATF and OIG, that finds unconstitutional and discriminatory patterns and practices in CPD’s use of force and other operations.
April 2017
Laura Kunard is confirmed as the first Deputy Inspector General for Public Safety.
July 2018
Joseph Lipari is confirmed as Deputy Inspector General for Public Safety.
January 2019
A consent decree is entered in Illinois v. Chicago mandating changes to policies and operations of CPD and other components of the City’s public safety operations and oversight structure.
July 2019
The City amends the MCC to authorize OIG to conduct audits of City Council operations.
June 2020
Deborah Witzburg is confirmed as Deputy Inspector General for Public Safety.
July 2021
The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) is formed by amendment to the MCC. CCPSA works with OIG and other City departments to assess and improve police-community relations, CPD policies and practices, and the law enforcement accountability system.
October 2021
OIG reaches full compliance with its consent decree obligations, as reported in the Independent Monitoring Report.
April 2022
Deborah Witzburg is confirmed as Inspector General.
September 2022
Tobara Richardson is confirmed as Deputy Inspector General for Public Safety.
July 2023
City Council passes an OIG-backed ordinance to reform the selection process for new inspectors general and to set an eight-year term limit for the inspector general.
December 2023
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois found OIG in full compliance with the material requirements of the consent decree entered in Illinois v. Chicago for the required two-year period.