Emanuel ethics task force work not done

By Kristen Mack Clout Street

A Mayor Rahm Emanuel-appointed group today recommended a series of changes to the city’s ethic ordinance that would add whistleblower protection, cut the gift ban in half, and forbid taking fees for public speaking appearances.

Absent from the list of 34 proposals was extending the power of the city’s inspector general to investigate aldermen, the Chicago Park District and the Public Buildings Commission. During his campaign for mayor, Emanuel backed the idea of expanding the watchdog office's authority.

“I have plenty of time to deal with all aspects and I will get to everything I have. As we get up to the one-year, I keep a pretty good log of all the pledges I made and the execution,” Emanuel said today at a news conference. “We have this to enact, which we will and then the next set.”