Vote Fraud Convictions In 1970, the first convictions in the nation were obtained in Federal District Court for violations of the new Federal Voters Rights Act. Information on these cases was supplied to the federal government by the BGA. Three persons were given penitentiary sentences and one other was fined. More Vote Fraud The BGA investigated a charge that in one precinct of Chicago's south side 3rd Ward more than 220 votes were cast despite the fact that only 90 applications for ballot were made. Only after the Better Government Association entered the case did the City of Chicago Board of Election Commissioners end its footdragging and file an application for contempt citations against the five judges. Air Pollution We reviewed the operations of the City of Chicago Department of Environmental Control and found a number of defects in the existing laws and procedures relating to air pollution. On one day four BGA investigators found 75 pollution violations; the 25 city inspectors found only 10 violations on that same day. We made a number of suggestions as to the reorganization of the Department, the need for new legislation, and the restructuring of the Air Pollution Appeal Board which has consistently failed to meet as required by law. Skid Row Flophouses Photo Courtesy Chicago Today In 1967 the City of Chicago announced that it had accepted plans for a real estate development in the vicinity of Chicago's near west side skid row area. The city announced its intention to relocate the displaced residents of skid row to modern and sanitary new facilities. This was not done. We found that the City of Chicago was operating three skid row flophouses at a loss to the taxpayers; and that there was no imminent possibility of new and sanitary facilities being opened. O'Malley Slaying At the request of the family of a slain young man, we reopened the investigation of the shooting of Thomas O'Malley by ex-Chicago Policeman Thomas McConville. McConville was exonerated at a Coroner's inquest. The family interviewed witnesses and attempted, without success, to persuade the Cook County State's Attorney to open the case. The BGA interviewed a number of witnesses, including McConville's alibi witness, who admitted he had lied in his earlier testimony. We immediately contacted the Chicago Police Internal Investigations Division and a signed statement of this confession was taken by two sergeants assigned to the IID. We have requested that this case be reopened. The Cook County Grand Jury indicted two Building Department employees in a scheme to shake down a north side apartment owner. BGA agents posed as business partners to the building owner. Loafing by City Workers Two city workers assigned to cleaning streets were found by the BGA to be doing painting and other chores in a building owned by a Ward Superintendent. This information was turned over to city officials for appropriate action. Chicago Alderman intervening A Chicago Alderman, who is not a lawyer, arranged postponement of trial on disorderly conduct charges for three workers in his political organization. This information was turned over to the Chicago Bar Association with the suggestion that court procedures be streamlined. 62-264 O-71 pt. 12 13 Chicago Employment Agencies Illinois Department of Labor revoked the licenses of five Chicago employment agencies for periods up to 60 days and penalized seven other agencies following an investigation by the BGA which disclosed that the agencies placed false advertising, discriminated against blacks and other irregularities. The department also requested the resignation of the department's Supervisor of Private Employment Agencies and reorganized the Division for a more efficient operation. State officials also implemented four regulations proposed by the Better Government Association to aid in policing the activities of the over 1,000 private employment agencies in the state. Hatch Act Violations The federal government agreed to drop Hatch Act violation charges against the City of Chicago Building Department in return for a promise that the city would discontinue certain practices. This was the result of an earlier BGA Building Department investigation. Chicago Board of Education We found that the cost of construction of South Shore High School had increased three times over initial estimates, and that the completion date had been extended by two years. City X-Ray Equipment The city had planned to spend $9,000 more than necessary to equip x-ray facilities at a federally funded neighborhood health center when the BGA began an investigation of alleged discriminatory practices in preparing bid specifications for installation. John C. Ward, City Purchasing Agent, acting on information turned over to him by the BGA, ordered the old bids thrown out and sought new bids for the x-ray equipment. City of Chicago Budget The BGA began a close scrutiny of Chicago's 1971 city budget and found heavily padded payrolls and excessive wages being paid to many city workers at a cost to taxpayers of millions of dollars. The analysis of the city budget and other local government budgets will be continued by the BGA in 1971. Peace Officer Training School A private school held itself out to provide training to virtually any person with the promise of future employment as Peace Officers. The training was inadequate and the promises were misleading. The school acknowledged these deficiencies and reorganized. This investigation was undertaken on behalf of several law enforcement agencies. Sanitary District The Sanitary District subleased a parcel of District property to a private corporation under a 99 year lease agreement. The corporation then attempted to sublet the parcel for the balance of the lease period at a substantial profit. We urged that the District review the use provisions of all existing and future sublease agreements that would insure that District property be used in the public interest. Chicago Park District Investigation In a follow-up to last year's investigation of Chicago Park District recreational and athletic facilities where we found that 42 of 50 parks investigated were improperly operated, we found the same pattern to exist in our most recent investigation. Many Park District personnel were not qualified as recreational or athletic supervisors or instructors, and a substantial number of employees were either loafing, sleeping or not present on the job. The net effect was to discourage, rather than encourage young people and other citizens from using Park District facilities. Our earlier recommendation for total reorganization of this program was ignored. We will continue our surveillance. Photo Courtesy Chicago Tribune Cook County Cook County Jack Weber, who was convicted for |