Chicago's Inspector General Criticizes the Massive Conflicts of Interest in the Welfare for the Well-to-Do

The Chicago Sun-Times reports:

World Business Chicago pushed for a combined $50 million in tax-increment financing subsidies for two corporate giants — CME Group and United Airlines — without disclosing that executives of both companies were on the board of the not-for-profit, Inspector General Joe Ferguson has concluded.

“The apparent conflict in these two situations raises serious concerns about the credibility and integrity of WBC’s recommendations,” Ferguson wrote.

“The city must be informed of any apparent conflict in order to fully evaluate the significance of WBC’s recommendations.”

The inspector general noted that City Hall “routinely relies” on letters from World Business Chicago “as evidence of community support” for TIF-subsidized projects.

That's the Chicago Way. An article well worth your time.