More Daley Anti-Fraud Initiatives Completely Unrelated to Recent City Scandal

By Sam Bakken in News on Nov 8, 2004 7:30PM

At a press conference this morning, Mayor Daley announced two major proposals just a day before his scheduled release of the city's 2005 budget. He's asked for a group of five non-union workers to stand watch over the various operations of the Department of Transportation construction sites and a group of ten non-union workers to look after various aspects of the Department of Water Management.

Both Departments played roles in the city's Hired Truck Scandal, but Daley didn't really mention it saying his proposed oversight groups will just provide "even better control over projects on a day-to-day basis." Daley appears to be in a sort of cleaning-house mood with this announcement and a number of anti-fraud ordinances he introduced last Wednesday.

One of the ordinances allows the city to fine anyone (contractors or employees) up to $1,000 if it's found that they lied on documents submitted to the city. Sounds good, but will a fine of $1,000 really scare any of these sly scammers? Risking just $1,000 if they get caught submitting a falsified job application or shady contract could be worth it to them. How about $10,000? That would make them think twice. City Law Department spokesperson Jennifer Hoyle denies that the introduction of these ordinances has anything to do with any specific incident. Again, yea right. Why deny it?

The second proposal will create a one-stop-licensing-shop for businesses that hands over licensing responsibilities from a number of city agencies to just one—a Department of Business Affairs and Licensing.

Expect plenty of hootin' and hollerin' tomorrow when Daley announces his 2005 budget. He gave a sneak-peek on Friday. It's expected to include a number of tax increases, job cuts and plenty of vacation (unpaid) for city employees. We'll give you the skinny tomorrow.