Citing the recent revelations about questionable contracts approved by Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley is seeking a federal inquiry into whether the county misspent grant funds.
A number of news reports have highlighted so-called "24-9" contracts - those that come in just under the $25,000 threshold that requires County Board approval.
Quigley yesterday asked the Government Accountability Office to look into whether the county mishandled federal funds in the months following Stroger's defeat in the Democratic primary.
“A ‘friends-and-family’ plan may help you save a few bucks on your cell phone bill, but it’s costing the taxpayers of Cook County a lot of money,” Quigley said in a statement. "State and local governments have received significant amounts of federal assistance recently, and with that increased funding must come increased oversight and accountability.”
Fox Chicago News reported that county pays nearly $200,000 to a few companies to help publicize the U.S. Census. But there are questions about just what kind of work is happening - and if the companies exist. The county's inspector general is now probing those deals.
The news follows the reinstatement of Stroger's deputy chief of staff, Carla Oglesby. She was suspended following reports that her PR firm, CGC Communications, was paid $24,975 just days after she started working for the county.
The Stroger administration did not immediately respond for a comment.