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Chicago Office of Inspector General

About OIG

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Mission of the Office of Inspector General

The mission of the independent and nonpartisan City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) is to promote economy, effectiveness, efficiency, and integrity by identifying corruption, waste, and mismanagement in City government. OIG is a watchdog for the taxpayers of the City and has jurisdiction to conduct inquiries into most aspects of City government.  

OIG achieves its mission through:

  • Administrative and criminal investigations;
  • Program and policy work on effectiveness, efficiency, and equity; and
  • Transparency initiatives.
From these inquiries, the OIG issues reports that promote accountability and ensure efficient, cost‑effective City operations. It also works to prevent, detect, and eliminate waste, inefficiency, misconduct, fraud, corruption, and abuse of public resources.

Help make Chicago government better.

If you see corruption, fraud, waste, or misconduct of any kind, or have ideas on how to make City of Chicago government better, we need to hear from you. Visit the online intake form.

How OIG serves you

OIG works to make City government better and hold City actors accountable when they break the rules. Also, OIG’s work serves as a resource for the public, journalists, policymakers, civic and advocacy organizations.

Jurisdiction (by ordinance)

OIG’s oversight authority is governed by the Municipal Code of Chicago and includes:

  • City officials (elected and appointed)
  • City employees
  • City contractors, vendors, and licensees
  • Lobbyists
  • Chicago Police Department (CPD)
  • Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA)
  • Chicago Police Board 

We do not have jurisdiction over the Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Park District, Chicago Housing Authority, Chicago Transit Authority, City Colleges of Chicago, or any offices beyond the City of Chicago.

Learn more about our office.

Guiding principles

OIG operates with independence, objectivity, confidentiality, transparency, and inclusion.