City on Corruption: Back off Big Brother

Chicago - Mayor Daley's administration wants Chicago alderman to believe that political favors and corruption no longer exist at City Hall.

On Thursday, corporation counsel Mara Georges told aldermen during a Budget Committee meeting that early next year she plans to tell a federal judge there is no longer the need for oversight.

She reportedly believes corrupt hiring practices have been substantially cleaned up.

Most Chicagoans would find it hard to believe that favors for friends don't exist.

Just last week the interim Inspector General filed a lawsuit against the city for refusing to turn over key information in the office's investigation of a city contract.

According to papers filed with the court, the contract was awarded to a former city employee without ever going through the bidding process as required by local ordinances.

It won't be the first time the city has asked a judge to remove the federal monitoring put into place under the Shakman Decree.

Noelle Brennan, the court appointed monitor named to the post in 2005, declined to comment but has reportedly said the city has made some steps towards compliance.

Attorney Michael Shakman who led the legal battle over political hiring, has criticized previous moves to remove the monitor.

He could not be reached for comment this morning.