City Aldermen Move to Strip Burke of Power Over Chicago's WC Program

Thursday, December 13, 2018 | 0

A coalition of progressive Chicago city officials took steps this week to remove control of the city's $100 million workers' compensation program from the hands of powerful Alderman Ed Burke, a Chicago newspaper reported Wednesday.

Alderman Ed Burke

Alderman John Arena and his Progressive Caucus introduced an ordinance that would bring major changes to the compensation program, after Burke has fallen under increasing scrutiny for his management. Critics have said the program costs five times as much as other cities' comp programs, is nothing but a political rewards program, and is not subject to audits and public inspection. 

Chicago may be the only U.S. city in which a member of the legislative branch manages an agency that would normally be considered part of the executive branch of government. Arena's ordinance would put the program under the wing of the corporation counsel, who is appointed by the mayor. 

Burke, an alderman since 1969, has faced growing criticism in recent years. Two weeks ago, the FBI raided Burke's offices and carted off boxes of records. In August, a political watchdog and a city worker filed suit against Burke and Mayor Rahm Emanuel over the "unconstitutional" structure of the city's workers' compensation program.

Arena's ordinance plan, unveiled in Tuesday meetings, came in the midst of a battle over funding for a city-worker pension plan. The mayor, who has only a few weeks left in office, is pushing for a constitutional amendment and funding cuts, but Arena pushed back.

"At the same time the mayor is going to suggest that we reduce benefits for our senior citizens and city workers, we have a program that is at $100 million, year-over-year, where other municipalities are in the range of $20 million," Arena told the Sun-Times newspaper. "And we have no clear view of how this program is administered."

It's unclear if Arena and the Progressive Caucus will have enough votes on the 50-member council to pass the ordinance.

CORRECTION: The Chicago City Council voted to prevent examinations by the inspector general of council-managed programs, including workers' compensation. An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the reason that audits have not been done.