What I'm Watching—Dec. 21, 2010

Instant message. Village board in Buffalo Grove delays vote on a plan to let employees delete emails on their office computers. The Daily Herald says the decision to put off action comes after the BGA says the plan probably violates the state’s Freedom of Information Act.

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.

What I’m Watching—Dec. 21, 2010