- U$ Attorney. The federal prosecutor’s office in Chicago collects $99 million in fines, fees, settlements and restitution this year. That’s $3 for every $1 we pay to staff the office, according to the Sun-Times.
- California copycat. The Golden State’s Governor-elect Jerry Brown says he’ll eliminate the inspector general’s office when he takes over, saving $700,000. A false economy? The IG’s response: “Creating this office sent a potent message: We are watching.”
- Highway robbery. The Cook County Highway Department is a political patronage “dumping ground,” according to an inspector general’s report. A 2009 BGA/FOX Chicago News investigation raised the same issue. The IG calls for an audit of the department.
- Wicked water? Senators Durbin and Kirk are demanding answers from the EPA after the Trib reports that a private environmental group found dangerous levels of cancer-causing metal in our local drinking water.
- Fine folly. The Trib reports that Illinois nursing homes only pay 21% of the fines levied by the state in abuse cases involving severely disabled children. The homes are apparently successful in negotiating away most of the original amount of the fines.
