Allegations of Racism, Sexism and Gun Dealing in City Water Department

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced a major shake-up in some key departments late Friday. The city’s water commissioner resigned, and on Monday more details emerged about alleged gun dealing, racist and sexist behavior by a politically connected subordinate.

Also, the city’s budget director has decided to leave, which has some aldermen concerned about how the city will solve the CPS funding crisis.

The resignations and firings came as a surprise late Friday, specifically the resignation of the city’s Water Commissioner Barrett Murphy and two high-ranking subordinates, William Bresnahan and Paul Hansen.

More information has been revealed to Chicago Tonight about a troubling culture at the city’s Department of Water Management. Sources say Hansen, son of former 44th Ward Ald. Bernie Hansen, was allegedly using city email to sell some of his guns and hunting equipment to Water Department employees.

Sources in the Water Department have called Hansen a clouted hire who rose to the ranks of district superintendent without having a plumber’s license. He, Bresnahan and Murphy are also said to have been involved in circulating racist and sexist emails around the department, described to Chicago Tonight as having hate-filled and demeaning language.

There is an investigation into these allegations by the inspector general; on Monday, Emanuel said he and the water commissioner had agreed to part ways.

“We were made aware from an IG report on one particular employee, but in that process it exposed a culture in the Water Department that in my view does not represent what the city’s values are,” Emanuel said. “Barrett agreed there should be a reset button hit as it relates to the culture.”

The mayor appointed Randy Conner, who comes from Streets and Sanitation, as the new Water Department commissioner.

The City Council Black Caucus on Monday said they were deeply disturbed by the alleged culture at the department.

“The pervasive culture of racism at the Water Department has been an open secret for years,” said Black Caucus Chairman Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th Ward). “We hope that this moment can serve as a wake-up call for all those in the department and in other departments where this behavior is still tolerated or even encouraged.”

And another alderman says it raises concerns about protecting clouted workers at all costs.

“Every citizen should be appalled by it, especially that they were allowed to keep working there,” said Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward). “We need to make sure that the human resources department is actually doing their job and rooting this activity out and firing people.”

BUDGET DIRECTOR RESIGNS

Friday’s resignation of Budget Director Alex Holt is also causing consternation. We spoke with a few aldermen concerned about the timing, especially as the mayor’s office considers a possible emergency bridge loan from the city to keep Chicago Public Schools open.

Holt had been on the job since Emanuel first took office in 2011 and had waded through several budget crises and helped come up with reforms to stave off the city’s municipal pension bomb, although many of those reforms still have yet to be approved by Springfield. Holt is replaced by the director of business and consumer affairs, Samantha Fields.

Waguespack wondered whether she was up to such a gargantuan job.

“My biggest concern is that we’re going into this issue of CPS funding and we don’t have someone at the helm that understands government finances, these are going to be very tough decisions coming up and we need very good information moving forward,” Waguespack said.

The mayor on Friday also announced the reappointment of Inspector General Joe Ferguson to another four-year term – which means the new Police Inspector General Laura Kunard will now start her job in the coming weeks.

She had been holding out until she knew that Ferguson, the guy that picked her, had job security of his own.

Follow Paris Schutz on Twitter: @paschutz

Chicago Water Department Racists Paul Hansen

As a current City of Chicago Employee, I can testify the outrageous behavior at the City of Chicago. Mayor Rahm Emanuel is again passing the buck because his office has received many letters laying out the anti-black behavior. Much of the racism was covered up by the water department lawyers. Investigations went nowhere. Most were, Non-founded”. The investigation took months and years. Most people involved looked the other way.
In the North District, many of the emails were also sent to Paul Hansen’s hand chosen foreman and hydrant, and specialty crews.
Luci Pope-Cozzi-Anderson, a clout heavy commissioner was seen at Paul Hansen’s North District Office for closed door cover-ups and email deletion parties. She is part of the cover-up. Luci was dating many Department of Water Management employees and made many promotions in quick order for her current husband Andy Anderson. The O.I.G. considered this and found nothing wrong. (Joe Ferguson is an idiot). The many private meetings between Luci Pope-Cozzi-Anderson fueled rumors of her and Hansen the next big item. Luci also visited Paul to be closer to home at quitting time.

Paul wrote up people to cover-up for his criminal activities. All his write ups must be deleted from peoples records. It was used to keep blacks down.

Paul Hansen was always a problem at the water department. His behavior is rude, full of lies, spiteful, and downright evil. He always got away with physical fights. Calling women “bitches” was par for the course. One black women was of interest to Paul and after failed advances, was sent to the Central District. Paul would drive into the yard with his massive SUV in a cloud of dust. He probably thought this was cool. He left in a cloud of dust when removed from work May 4, 2017. The incident of an assault of an old man punched till he passed out was covered up. Paul assaulted a young mother on Halsted Street and the entire report was sent to the Mayor’s office and the Inspector General, nothing was done. Reports of racism and rude behavior was covered up by Joe Ferguson for years. Now Joe wants credit to a problem he allowed to fester.

Several years ago, I talked to Alderman Tunney, and he took credit for Paul’s promotions despite Shakman rules. The water department was installing an new water main for Rahm Emanuel so Rahm kept his mouth shut.

We will release proof of all my claims when the media is done with the story.

The Department of Water Management should immediately promote a black Superintendent at the north district and fire Luci Pope Cozzi with her husband Andy Anderson. Chicago Clout has made many FOIA requests years ago into Paul Hansen and it unveiled Paul working with 44th ward staff on city time with city equipment. FOIA officer Gary Litherland also blocked many FOIA request to cover up for Paul. Fire Gary Litherland for his constant lies and cover-ups. Clean up the department and promote blacks that deserve it. Enough is Enough. The water department also needs to investigate their unfair treatment of injured workers. More on that soon.

Next time you hear blacks turning on Fire Hydrants, you will never hear again the “Monkees and the Ni$%ers are at it again”.

The Saint Patrick’s Day Chicago River Dye secret exposed Uranine

Uranine Powder Dye the Chicago River Green.jpg Many people want to know how the City of Chicago and Plumber’s Local 130 dye the Chicago River Green. The newspapers call the mixture “Irish Fairy Dust”. I suppose that is not good news reporting. The Chicago Saint Patrick’s Day parade is a great parade and I have marched in everyone my entire life until I got hurt. Many of the guys that place the powder in the water have ended up with awesome jobs with the city. The secret powder is Uranine. Please see the picture of this powder. Uranine is also called “Irish Fairy Dust”. Most versions of this powder is about as safe as the Lead water pipes serving most of Chicago safe drinking water. The City Water Department supplied the powder with taxpayer money since the beginning of the tradition. I do not want this powder placed in the water any longer. But that is me. Remember, St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago is to celebrate the accomplishments of the Irish. It should not be a day to shame his name with excessive drinking. Happy St Patrick’s Day and God Bless all my Chicago Friends.

Chicago Clout demands documents from the Department of Water Managment

March 9, 2017
Patrick McDonough

Office of the Attorney General
State of Illinois
Lisa Madigan, Attorney General
500 South Second Street
Springfield, Illinois 62706

Attention: Laura Harter, Assistant Attorney General
Re: Request for Review- 2017 PAC 46448

Thank you for your letter dated today. I have attached all documents for your reference
to save you time.

My response:
I am a member· of the press, registered with the Chicago Police Department. I have for
years attempted to obtain records from the Department of Water Management
(DOWM). The DOWM uses stalling tactics. The DOWM has been in the crosshairs of
several Federal investigations and several employees have been sent to jail. It is my
opinion; the same conduct and behavior is continuing. FOIA is to expose the secret
dealings and politics that control the DOWM.
If you go to my website, \V\V\v.chicagoclout.com you will see I am involved in several
stories that are of public interest. One is the death of an DOWM employee involved in a
cave-in. For almost two decades, I have reported official complaints to the Illinois
Department of Labor. A man is dead, his family will never see him again due to the
inactions of the DOWM and the IDOL, to make shoring a reality. I was also the victim of
safety violations at the DOWM. Nothing has changed.
Chicago taxpayers pay millions of dollars to injured city workers that cannot show up to
work due to negligence at the DOWM. Some injured workers are also subject to
retaliation depending on their politics or lack of politics. The DOWM has a “job search”
program with no clear-cut policies. My original request was for one month of these
searches so I can determine if the taxpayers are receiving a good “bang for the buck”. I
also want to make sure all injured workers are subject to the same rules and regulations.
I broke down the prior request to one week while I am waiting for your original ruling.
The weekly document total of that request is 24 pages submitted by injured workers.
Only six employees were required to submit weekly job searches per his FOIA response.
Mr. Litherland’s (FOIA officer of DOWM) document preparation math does not add up.
His time request is unsubstantiated. In this day and age, a public department with an
almost billion-dollar budget still using primitive paper management practices, seems
unlikely. The paperwork should always be made into a PDF, not faxed and stapled.
I was accused by Gary Litherland on “being on a fishing expedition”. Mr. Litherland also
wanted to release all 750 pages if I was willing to forego all supporting documents. I
want to have all documents to make a clear and concise report to the public. Gary
Litherland does not release documents in a timely manner. His department does not
have enough workers or his department is side stepping FOIA.
My requests will hopefully enlighten folks that have had unfavorable experiences in
workers’ compensation system run by Alderman Burke, the Chicago Committee on
Finance, and. the Department of Water Management. Thanking you in advance, I remain

Chicago Clout

Lead in Chicago Potable Water Supply, Death by a thousand cuts

As a City of Chicago Department of Water Management (DOWM) employee, I am concerned about the lack of movement towards removing Lead from the Potable Drinking Water Supply (PDWS) in Chicago. Not long ago, I made a FOIA request to investigate the private contractors entering and leaving the Jardine Water Purification Plant (JWPP) on Chicago’s downtown lakefront. The City fought my FOIA, so I asked Attorneys Loevy and Loevy to assist me in the fight. Matthew Topic of Loevy and Loevy did his best, but a Judge bought the City’s argument; if they disclose their contractors in and out of JWPP, Chicago’s PDWS would be in peril.  If you know how Judges are picked in Chicago, the ruling was not a surprise. A second look will happen now that Donald J. Trump is in office.

Chicago needs to do something regarding Lead in the PDWS. During the FOIA process regarding this contentious issue, the DOWM represented that they are responsible for the safety of all PDWS in Chicago, from when it is processed at JWPP until it exits the taps (Supply to all final users). Since that is the case, the taxpayers of Chicago stand to lose billions in Lead related PDWS lawsuits. I assure you, the Chicago Inspector General has done nothing to protect the PDWS of poor Blacks and Hispanics. Sad to say, but each and every day millions are drinking Water tainted with toxins. Many other municipalities are making headway to replace the Lead Water Services, i.e. Flint, MI. Remember; the coating inside lead piping only works if the Water Service is not disturbed. The current lawsuits state: when a new Chicago Water Main is replaced, a substantial amount of Lead is introduced into the Water Supply. What the lawsuit doesn’t know is that when the Lead Water Services are disturbed in any manner, the Lead is released and absorbed for children to drink in schools, i.e. Jose De Diego Academy, Chicago. When a Water Main break happens, the protective coating is disturbed, once when the Water Main is shut down and again when the Water Main is returned to service. When the piping is jolted severely, the coating is released into the Water Supply. People wonder after a Water Main repair is made, why the aerators in their home faucets are blocked. Now you know. After the DOWM works on a fire hydrant, shuts down a Water Main, makes any type of repair to the PDWS, the lead is again absorbed into the Water. Immediate Lead testing is needed each and every time an adjustment is made to the PDWS system. Not long ago, Alderman Tunney had a belt buckle and caution tape in his building’s Water Supply. That was covered up. When a private contractor turned a new Chicago Water Main on, all the contents were released including; condoms, dirt, oil, grease, sand and debris of every type. Incompetence!

Chicago’s Potable Drinking Water Supply is in danger. So, when you see any Chicago Department of Water Management trucks working on the Domestic Water Distribution System (DWDS), make sure you have your Water Supply tested. You will live longer. Demand that Mayor Rahm Emanuel hires more Certified Plumbing Inspectors, provides more Water sample testing, and make sure the DWDS is safe for all of Chicago. See you at final contamination.

Chicago Alderman Burke’s Vocamotive Charge Chicago massive Rates

We all know about Vocamotive Vocational Rehabilitation Training. The City of Chicago has hired them to provide ways to reduce the millions Chicago pays in Workers Compensation benefits. Alderman Burke has hired a bunch of political hacks to work on his Committee on Finance. Dog walkers, dog groomers, hair dressers. Alderman Burke even hired a male stripper. Many folks that work for Alderman Burke have no schooling in Insurance Claims, workers’ compensation, investigations.

When that happens, Chicago Taxpayers pay millions more to hire professionals and consulting companies to pick up the slack. Claims drag on, City of Chicago Lawyers handling claims quit, and claims get bogged down. This costs Chicago taxpayers millions more. In case you read Chicago Newspapers, you will find Chicago investigative journalism has completely gone down the toilet. Chicago Journalist only print what Rahm tells them to. How sad.

Last year Vocamotive provided support services to the City of Chicago Committee on Finance to the tune of $500,000.00 dollars. That would have provided many more patronage workers for Alderman Burke, but no political donations. Vocamotive provides legal assistance to the Committee on Finance because their legislative aides are incapable of doing the job. In fact, Monica Somerville and Luana Olivas-Montoya should be fired if they cannot train the staff to do a complete professional job for the broke taxpayers. I would not expect much from Monica Somerville, she was fired as a Law Department Attorney after suing her boss for sexual harassment. She skipped the “Do not hire List”. Alderman Burke likes what he sees in her.

Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Vocational Training people get paid about $15.50 per hour. Vocamotive charges an astounding $85.00 through $105.00 per hour. Vocamotive also charges Chicago taxpayers hundreds of dollars for loaning cheap computers, and hundreds more for basic Microsoft classes. Chicago pays massive rates for travel time, talk on phone time, and wait time. The billing is better than lawyer rates.
Please look at the attached rates. Click on READ MORE What a mark-up. And you wonder why Alderman Burke is a millionaire and Chicago is Bankrupt. Where is Rahm Emanuel? Where is Inspector General Joe Ferguson?

Vocamotive City of Chicago Rates.pdf