Trenches of Democracy

Excerpts from the second semi-annual report by Shakman Compliance Administrator (CA) Julia M. Nowicki:

VI. NEED FOR COUNTY INITIATIVES

Since the inception of the SRO, the CA has hoped that the County would institute its own plan to determine the nature and extent of unlawful patronage existing in the County. At the time of the CA’s “First Semi-Annual Report,” it appeared that the Board of Commissioners was going to be successful in implementing a desk audit of all high level County employees. In that report, the CA commended the County on this course of action. Unquestionably, this action was a good start on determining whether patronage practices still existed. Unfortunately, the Board later determined that the project was too costly.

It has now been over one year since the entry of the SRO. Thus, this administration has accumulated one year’s time to study and review its current employment practices. It has also had the opportunity during its review to make a determination as to whether unlawful patronage practices still exist. It is the CA’s opinion that the County is in the best position to identify unlawful patronage practices due to its inherent powers and institutional knowledge. Significantly, the County is also in a position to take corrective action, if necessary.

While the County-wide upper level desk audit was scrapped, it is the CA’s opinion that useful information could be gleaned from a less comprehensive project. For example, the Board could authorize a targeted desk audit of one department. Findings made pursuant to a limited audit could be the basis for further study. Additionally, the CA anticipates completing the adjudication phase of her duties shortly. Her final findings will be available to the County. Again, hopefully these findings could be the basis for further study. Accordingly, it is also the CA’s recommendation that the County take initiative in this project.

To be continued…

You can read the full Shakman report here.

Tags: Cook County, Nowicki, Patronage, Shakman, Stroger

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