Alderman Laurino Proposes Office of Legislative Counsel

By Chuck Sudo in News on Nov 11, 2010 2:37PM

At times we imagine the newly emboldened City Council in the wake of Mayor Daley's announcement that he wouldn't seek a seventh term as waking from a dream and asking themselves, "We did what with the parking meters?"

39th Ward Alderman Margaret Laurino is using the much-maligned parking meter deal as one reason for wanting to create an "Office of Legislative Counsel." Currently Aldermen receive legal advice for legislation from the city Law Department. Laurino believes that the parking meter deal is a prime example that the 289-employee department with a nearly $27 million annual budget may not be dispensing the best advice.

Laurino said an office dedicated to helping aldermen navigate the details of proposed legislation "would give us more independence and probably allow for more resources to study legislation, unlike the parking meter scenario." 33rd Ward Alderman Dick Mell agreed, saying that a separate law office for aldermen would help solidify "a division of legislative and executive powers" and provide aldermen with "a second opinion on things."