Chicago Department of Transportation Commercial Driveway Billing Audit Third Follow-Up

Executive Summary

Based on the Department’s responses, OIG concludes that CDOT has partially implemented corrective actions related to the audit findings. The purpose of the 2019 audit was to determine whether CDOT accurately and completely billed commercial property owners for driveways that use the public way. OIG found that CDOT either did not bill or inaccurately billed an estimated 6,713 permit holders, resulting in an annual revenue loss between $1.1 and $1.5 million. In addition, CDOT could not ensure that all relevant driveways were recorded in its driveway permit system. Finally, OIG found that the City did not actively pursue payment for past-due driveway permit fees.

Based on the results of the audit, OIG recommended several steps to correct and prevent data problems causing CDOT’s billing issues. OIG also recommended that CDOT work with other City departments to include driveway permit fees in the City’s standard debt collection process.