I would like to see one ethical alderman make this motion at the next City Council meeting.
“I move that all recommended and not-recommended permit requests, zoning changes, fee waivers, fee reductions and fee refunds at the exclusive discretion of Chicago City Council aldermen be posted on the City of Chicago’s municipal website seven business days before submission for full council vote approval. This important first step would serve to involve the public in an open government process that would reduce long-standing requests for favors at the expense of taxpayers and would reduce opportunities for theft, fraud and corruption.
“Residents would have detailed information and access to their alderman’s activities from home or at a public library with the Internet. It was the watchful eyes of Local School Council parents, teachers and community residents that reduced theft, fraud and corruption in the $3 billion dollar budget of the Chicago Public Schools. It is about time we introduce technology into the political process . . . that we demand accountability from our public officials.
“The cost of this process would be offset by computer scanners at City Hall and a huge reduction in printing expenses for City Council journals, paying personnel to field questions about what happened at meetings and how aldermen voted.
“This would be an excellent opportunity for Mayor Richard Daley to take a leadership role as an example for the rest of the nation. Ald. Ed Burke should make the motion. A good healthy dose of ethics comes when the public knows what the council is doing before they take the vote. Any alderman who wants oversight of contracts of more than $50,000 should have no problem with this motion.
“I am very happy about the job our daily newspapers are doing on council corruption. I would encourage newspapers with access to the Internet to add this discussion to their site. If newspapers provide the dialog, people will provide the pressure to bring this motion to the floor. Thank you.”
