State & Local Reports

The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) has completed an audit of the Department of Water Management’s overtime monitoring. The objective of the audit was to determine if DWM effectively monitored overtime to prevent waste and abuse. Based on the audit results, OIG concluded that DWM developed policies and tools to manage overtime but did not utilize these resources consistently. The Department’s management personnel, at both the central and bureau level, were unaware of the full range of DWM’s overtime processes. Moreover, managers had not exercised robust oversight of overtime distribution and had not consistently maintained overtime records.

An OIG inquiry has determined that the City does not comply with the requirements of Executive Order No. 2012-2 (“the Order”), which governs the administration of the Chicago Data Portal. Additionally, in the course of several OIG projects, we have observed multiple issues that impact the Portal’s usability. As the City reengages with its open data strategy via the efforts of the Department of Assets, Information, and Services (AIS) and the movement of senior technology officers to the Mayor’s Office, we encourage it to focus on both meeting existing obligations and reviewing open data processes to improve accessibility, transparency, and accountability.The City stated that it plans to “build on previous efforts to establish a first-class data program not only in open data but also in governance, privacy and protection, access and sharing. We achieve full transparency and accountability only when our data is accurate, comprehensive, usable, and clearly communicated.” It should be noted that the City’s chief data officer has been evaluating the City’s Open Data Program, and the results of that evaluation are in line with many of OIG’s findings and suggestions.

An OIG inquiry has determined that the City does not comply with the requirements of Executive Order No. 2012-2 (E.O. 2012-2 or “the Order”), which governs the administration of the Chicago Data Portal. Additionally, in the course of several OIG projects, we have observed multiple issues that impact the Portal’s usability. As the City reengages with its open data strategy via the efforts of the Department of Assets, Information, and Services (AIS) and the movement of senior technology officers to the Mayor’s Office, we encourage it to focus on both meeting existing obligations and reviewing open data processes to improve accessibility, transparency, and accountability. The City stated that it plans to “build on previous efforts to establish a first-class data program not only in open data but also in governance, privacy and protection, access and sharing. We achieve full transparency and accountability only when our data is accurate, comprehensive, usable, and clearly communicated.” It should be noted that the City’s chief data officer has been evaluating the City’s Open Data Program, and the results of that evaluation are in line with many of OIG’s findings and suggestions. OIG recommends that the City needs to comply with the current executive order, which should include resuming publication of its required annual Open Data Compliance Report to provide transparency and accountability in its open data efforts. Additionally, to have the Portal more functional, as well as the data more consistent and accurate, the City needs to standardize and streamline its open data initiatives.

Audit calls on MassVentures (MV), a quasi-public corporation that provides financial assistance to startup companies in Massachusetts, to develop a strategic plan and improve oversight of employment survey data. The audit examined the period of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019.

The audit noted deficiencies in the way in which DFG safeguards license fees and other revenue it takes in, and in its information technology controls. The audit examined the period of July 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018.

A review of the work conducted by State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump's Medicaid Audit Unit over the past year. It highlights audits released, audits in progress, and the impact of the Unit's work.

The Southeast Housing Court plays an important role in adjudicating housing disputes. Our audit, which examined the period of July 1, 2017 through March 31, 2019, found the court was properly reconciling cash receipts and meeting time standards for managing cases.

What Was Performed? A financial statement audit of the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014 (ABLE) Consortium Trust for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2019.Why This Engagement? The State of Delaware is a participating member of the ABLE Consortium Trust along with 16 other states. These statements were audited by a firm engaged by the Trust. The ABLE Act provides eligible individuals with blindness or qualifying disabilities a means to save for disability-related expenses in a tax -advantaged way through section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code. A consortium of states (Member States), of which the State of Delaware is a member, collaborated to facilitate the implementation and maintenance of qualified ABLE programs. Each Member State has adopted enabling legislation to establish a qualified plan under Section 529A.