Chicago's inspector general criticizes the Emanuel administration on business group

By Hal Dardick and Kristen Mack

City Hall's top watchdog once again took aim at Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration, alleging in a report Monday that Chicago's economic development agency failed to disclose potential conflicts when recommending taxpayer-funded incentives worth tens of millions of dollars.

Inspector General Joseph Ferguson's latest missive involves World Business Chicago, a mostly city-funded agency that Emanuel expanded in recent weeks and now leads.

Ferguson concluded the agency failed to disclose a potential conflict when it recommended two years ago under Mayor Richard Daley that United Airlines receive $35.5 million in city incentives to relocate its headquarters to Willis Tower.