Inspector General's Office Analyzes NATO Spending
By aaroncynic in News on Feb 5, 2013 5:40PM
The Chicago Inspector General’s Office released a report on Friday detailing the total of spending for the NATO summits last May. According to the report, the city spent $27.4 million on the event using funding from eight government sources, including federal grants and $7 million provided by the NATO Host Committee. The largest cost was overtime for Chicago Police, totaling $14,618,466. Other spending highlights include:
- More than $5 million in equipment purchases.
- Nearly $3 million for Chicago Fire Department overtime.
- Nearly $700,000 for use of police forces from three other municipalities.
- More than $600,000 for overtime costs for OMEC, CDOT, and the Chicago Department of Fleet and Facilities Management.
Federal funding covered $20.5 million via a grant from the State Department, a grant from the National Guard which paid for fuel for their vehicles and four FEMA grants. The NATO Host Committee reimbursed the City $7.1 million and spent $13.5 million on “non-City NATO related costs.” An estimated $12.5 million in funds remains, which Mayor Emanuel will get to spend how he pleases. So far, the mayor’s office has announced plans to invest some of that money into park and neighborhood projects throughout the city, including four new boathouses along the Chicago River.