Following Deborah Witzburg’s expected confirmation as Chicago’s new Inspector General, Ald. Silvana Tabares will request that she launch a formal investigation into recent allegations that City Clerk Anna Valencia inappropriately used her position as an elected citywide office holder to benefit the business interests of her lobbyist husband and his private clients. The request follows the launch of an investigation into a bid-rigging scandal by the City of New Orleans involving Valencia’s husband, Reyahd Kazmi. Information has been sought from Valencia and Kazmi, including records and email correspondence that have been subpoenaed as part of its probe into allegations of contract steering. “There appears to be an overwhelming amount of evidence that shows that Clerk Valencia used her office to further her husband’s lobbying efforts, which is a clear conflict of interest,” said Tabares (23rd). “These allegations of steering contracts and using one’s elected office for personal gain are particularly disturbing and inappropriate, if not illegal. That’s why I’m making an official request that the Inspector General use her authority to get to the bottom of it.”
Locally, new Information has surfaced showing that Mr. Kazmi is affiliated with IKE Smart City and Ignite Cities, which has partnered with the Clerk’s office, and promotes a version of its CityKey program to other cities. Both companies also contracted with the Illinois Medical District where Mr. Kazmi stood to gain financially, according to public documents relating to the deal, which includes emails from Clerk Valencia’s public account involving Ignite Cities CEO George Burciaga and officials from the City of New Orleans. “These recent revelations involving Clerk Valencia and her husband demonstrate the need for stronger laws requiring elected officials to clearly separate their work from spouses and family members who get paid as lobbyists,” said Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th), who echoed calls for an investigation. “We need laws that call for banning this practice and more disclosure so politicians will no longer be able to hide potential conflicts of interests or use their influence to gain access, favors or contracts.” In March, Silvana – along with 14 other alderpeople – introduced an ordinance that called on the City Council to enact new ethics reforms aimed at preventing further corruption. The proposed ordinance introduced would prohibit the spouses and immediate family members of alderpeople and other elected city officials from lobbying City Hall.
