Chicago's City Council Puts Family Members on Secret Payroll

The Chicago Tribune has an interesting editorial on the Chicago Way:

The quote of the week comes from Ald. Isaac Carothers, 29th, who shrugged off a report about the City Council's incestuous hiring practices just as Mayor Richard Daley announced that illegal patronage in Chicago is dead.

"All of us have family members on the payroll," Carothers said. "That's nothing new."

Carothers, who is facing federal bribery charges, won't even say whether the William Carothers on his payroll is his father or his brother. It's none of your business who he hires with your tax dollars.

Tribune reporters found dozens of questionable employees -- relatives, campaign workers, friends and friends of friends -- who were being paid out of a $1.3 million fund designated for miscellaneous office duties.

The guidelines are conveniently vague: The money can be used to hire people for "secretarial, clerical, stenographic, research or other functions related to the office of aldermen."

And oversight is virtually nonexistent. Payments have to be approved by Finance Committee Chairman Ed Burke.

For a look at Alderman Burke putting a Chicago Mob associate on Chicago's payroll. For more on the real boss of Chicago.