THE TRUTH ABOUT: Deborah witzburg - The Untold Story

Six-figure skimming from city sticker sales, $200K in rogue debt collection fees highlight inspector general’s quarterly report

In her final report for 2023, Deborah Witzburg details a clerk’s office worker who allegedly pocketed cash payments; and a contractor suspected of taking more than $200,000 in debt collection fees on paid-up accounts.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jan 16, 2024

Inspector general’s office passes consent decree test as CPD struggles to comply

While CPD is the main focus of the decree — and has the farthest way to go to meet its terms — the inspector general’s office had been among several other agencies still being scrutinized by the feds.

Chicago Sun-Times · Dec 27, 2023

Civic Federation taps former city inspector general Joe Ferguson as president

Ferguson replaces Laurence Msall, the public finance expert whose death in February left a giant hole in the watchdog landscape.

Chicago Sun-Times · Dec 12, 2023

Chicago police oversight panel to push new outside investigation into cops with extremist ties

The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability will vote Thursday on asking the city’s inspector general to investigate cops named on an Oath Keepers list.

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 25, 2023

How the Chicago Police Department tolerates officers with ties to extremism and what’s being done about it

A new civilian oversight panel is working with Chicago police on a policy that would bar officers from joining hate and extremist groups.

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 23, 2023

Chicago police officers with ties to extremist Oath Keepers stay on the force. Some have troubling records.

An investigation by WBEZ, Chicago Sun-Times and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project found allegations of excessive force, improper searches and racist comments on the job.

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 22, 2023

Outgoing Police Board president urges City Council to reject arbitrator’s ruling, says it would undermine police reform

The ruling would allow Chicago police officers accused of the most serious wrongdoing to bypass the board and take their cases to an arbitrator behind closed doors.

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 17, 2023

More than 1,000 COVID-19 relief loans went to city of Chicago employees — and many look fraudulent, city’s watchdog says

Chicago’s Inspector General Deborah Witzburg revealed only one disciplinary case but said, “There are members of the police department included on the list that we are looking at.”

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 13, 2023

Chicago police facing serious discipline should not have cases decided in secret

The City Council should reject a ruling by an arbitrator that would allow police officers facing firings or long suspensions to dodge the Chicago Police Board and move cases to arbitration — outside public view.

Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 21, 2023

Nearly half the time, Chicago cops don’t record time of arrival at emergency scenes

Inspector General Deborah Witzburg set out to determine if 911 calls from Black and Hispanic neighborhoods get slower response time. She couldn’t — because much of the data does not exist.

Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 6, 2023