See inside Chicago’s ‘gift room’ after watchdog flagged ethical concerns
The City of Chicago recently found itself under scrutiny after a watchdog group accused Mayor Brandon Johnson of improperly accepting valuable gifts. In response, the city shared a video of its “gift room” and announced new protocols for receiving gifts.
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) alleged that Mayor Johnson accepted gifts such as jewelry, alcohol, AirPods, designer handbags, and size 14 men’s shoes without reporting them. This raised ethical concerns and prompted the city to take action.
The new protocols, which went into effect on Tuesday, require officials to report and log gifts within 10 days, store them in a designated area that can be viewed via video recording quarterly, and donate excess gifts. The first video log showcased a variety of items, including artwork, clothing, hats, and shoes.
The city’s efforts aim to address the OIG’s claims that Mayor Johnson denied internal investigators access to the gift room during an unannounced inspection in November. The video log and written log provide transparency by listing items, their location, and the organization that donated them.
Mayor Johnson has denied personally benefiting from any gifts and accused the inspector general of mischaracterizing the situation. However, the OIG report listed items such as Hugo Boss cuff links, a Montblanc pen, a U.S. National Soccer Team jersey, a Gucci tote bag, a Kate Spade purse, and Carrucci shoes.
While some items were included in the video and written logs, others were not accounted for as of Wednesday. The city continues to work on ensuring all gifts are properly documented and transparently displayed.
Overall, the city’s efforts to address the allegations of improper gift acceptance demonstrate a commitment to ethical governance and transparency. By sharing the contents of the gift room and implementing new protocols, the city aims to uphold integrity and accountability in its operations.
