1 inspector general could be better than 2 -Just give current investigator authority to get the job done

BY MARK BROWN Sun-Times Columnist

There are many reasons to be doubtful of the ordinance Chicago aldermen plan to put forward today for a separate inspector general empowered for the first time to investigate the City Council.

The biggest reason may not actually be in the proposed ordinance itself, but in how it's expected to be put into practice.

It seems the aldermen are envisioning the new inspector general as a part-time job.

"We don't believe it's a position that's going to take a full-time person," said Ald. Fredrenna Lyle (6th), one of the Council members who has been working on the proposal. "We're envisioning that a retired judge would be IG, or somebody like that."

Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th), another of its drafters, agreed.