Chicago Mayor to Open Gift Closet to Public — but There’s a Catch
Mayor’s Move Comes After Investigation Showed Non-Compliance with City Ethics Rules
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced that the public will have the opportunity to view the contents of City Hall’s gift closet, but there’s a catch.
The Background
The Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigated the mayor’s office after discovering that it was not complying with city ethics rules in reporting gifts received.
What’s in the Gift Closet?
The OIG visited City Hall undercover and requested to see the logbook of gifts received by the mayor’s office. The mayor’s office denied the request and directed the OIG to file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
Inspector general officials then filed a FOIA request in a “covert capacity” and the mayor’s office failed to respond in a timely manner, reflecting a denial of the request.
The OIG eventually received a spreadsheet detailing 380 gifts accepted by the mayor’s office “on behalf of the city” between February 2, 2022, and March 20, 2024. The gifts included items such as Hugo Boss cufflinks, Givenchy, Gucci, and Kate Spade handbags, a personalized Mont Blanc pen, and size 14 men’s shoes.
What’s the Catch?
The public will be able to view the contents of the gift closet virtually, starting next week. The mayor’s office plans to upload video footage online for the public to access.
However, some have raised concerns that this is not sufficient. Inspector general Deborah Witzburgh has stated that the gifts should be accessible for investigators to see with their own eyes, rather than just through virtual footage.
Conclusion
While the mayor’s office is taking steps to increase transparency, some have questioned whether this is enough. The public’s right to know what gifts are being accepted by public officials is crucial in maintaining trust in government.
FAQs
Q: What is the gift closet?
A: The gift closet is a room in City Hall where gifts are stored and tracked.
Q: Why is this a concern?
A: The concern is that gifts may be accepted without proper disclosure or oversight, potentially leading to conflicts of interest or other ethical issues.
Q: Will the public be able to access the gift closet in person?
A: No, the public will only be able to access the gift closet virtually through video footage uploaded online.
Q: Why did the mayor’s office deny the OIG’s request to see the logbook?
A: The mayor’s office denied the request, citing that the OIG should file a FOIA request instead.
