The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General announced on April 21 that the City Council Office of Financial Analysis (COFA) has provided limited support to the City Council in budget planning and decision making. Inspector General Deborah Witzburg said, “Independent, objective financial analysis is vital to protecting the public’s interest in the effective and efficient expenditure of City funds—and, given the City’s dire fiscal straits, it is more urgent than ever that COFA be positioned and equipped to play a meaningful role in the budget process.” Witzburg added, “An appropriately resourced and empowered COFA would provide the City’s legislators with independent, reliable insights and better enable them to operate as an appropriately co-equal branch of government.”
COFA was established by the Municipal Code of Chicago to provide independent information so council members can make fiscally responsible decisions about city finances. However, according to findings from OIG, COFA lacks access to essential city data and resources needed for timely analysis. The office also has not retained most reports or documentation from before 2021 or followed a records retention schedule, raising concerns about compliance with state law.
OIG recommended that COFA work with other city departments such as the Office of Budget and Management to gain direct access to necessary data systems. It also advised conducting a staffing analysis so COFA can assess what resources are required under its mandate.
In response, COFA said it had obtained direct access to some city data systems during the audit period and is working toward accessing additional information. The office reported expanding its staff and focusing on meeting requirements for timely reporting set out by municipal code.
The OIG describes itself as an independent watchdog agency promoting effectiveness and integrity within Chicago government through investigations into corruption or mismanagement.
