Advisory Concerning Inequities in Chicago's Residential Street Infrastructure Management

This advisory summarized the findings of OIG’s 2017 Chicago Department of Transportation Aldermanic Menu Audit and urged Mayor Lightfoot to implement the related recommendations. Specifically, the advisory noted, • the Aldermanic Menu Program (“Menu”) creates significant funding inequities, including a gap of $9.3 million between the best- and worst-funded wards; • Menu underfunds citywide residential infrastructure needs by $228.8 million annually; • the City allows alderman to spend Menu funds on projects other than residential street infrastructure; and • the City does not follow best practices for multiyear capital planning of residential street infrastructure. OIG suggested that the City stop funding core residential infrastructure through Menu and empower the Department to fully inhabit its infrastructure management role.