Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s ‘gift room,’ a space designed to showcase gifts received by the mayor’s office, was constructed only after investigators from the city’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) were denied access to the premises for unannounced inspections. These inspections, aimed at uncovering potential misconduct related to the acceptance of valuable gifts, were blocked by the mayor’s office twice, leading to public concerns about transparency and adherence to municipal regulations.
The OIG revealed that the ‘gift room’ showcased in a February video by the mayor’s office was not built until after the initial inspection attempts were thwarted. Investigators were twice denied entry to the city premises, despite the requirement under Chicago’s municipal code to make available all city property and records to the inspector general. This obstruction hindered the OIG from verifying where valuable gifts, including luxury items like designer handbags and cufflinks, were being stored before the new gift room was constructed.
The mayor’s office responded by posting a 21-second video of the gift room on YouTube, along with new rules regarding gift acceptance. However, the OIG emphasized the need for unannounced inspections to ensure impartial oversight, noting that the mayor’s office’s refusal to comply with the law undermines public trust and the city’s legitimacy.
The Office of Inspector General reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, calling for clear guidelines to ensure that city premises are accessible to inspectors as mandated by law. Despite the OIG’s findings, the mayor’s office has yet to respond to the inquiry, leaving the issue in question regarding the city’s commitment to ethical governance.