TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 3, 2025
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. John P. Murray, Acting Executive Director
Title
Issue purchase order and enter into an agreement with attorney Patrick Blanchard to serve as the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago’s Interim Inspector General and to perform inspector general services for MWRD, in an amount not to exceed $175,000.00, Account 101-11000-612430, Requisition 1636634
Body
Dear Sir,
On April 18, 2019, the Board of Commissioners (Board) passed Ordinance O19-003 setting forth the Cook County Office of Independent Inspector General’s (OIIG) power, authority, and function as MWRD’s Inspector General. On the same date, the Board authorized MWRD to issue a purchase order and enter into an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Cook County to allow the OIIG to serve as MWRD’s Inspector General for an initial three-year period in an amount not to exceed $1,800,000.00. The IGA commenced May 17, 2019, and, as extended, expires May 16, 2025. The OIIG services were used by MWRD to detect, deter and prevent corruption, fraud, waste, mismanagement, unlawful political discrimination, or misconduct in MWRD’s operations.
The OIIG has served as MWRD’s Inspector General over the last six years promoting integrity, efficiency, accountability and transparency in MWRD operations. As the IGA is expiring and since the MWRD now has its own statutory power to appoint its own Inspector General, it is recommended that MWRD appoint an Interim Inspector General to perform inspector general services until a non-interim inspector general is appointed. The Interim Inspector General will perform inspector general functions, facilitate the custody transfer of all OIIG/MWRD files and evidence to the Interim Inspector General, maintain the continuity of inspector general operations within MWRD, and establish appropriate Office of Inspector General policies and practices consistent with the Association of Inspector General Principles and Standards for Offices of Inspector General (“Green Book”). A companion ordinance is presented on this agenda to establish policies and procedures to serve as the foundation for the Interim Inspector General’s operations. Once appointed, the Interim Inspector General will work with MWRD to establish policies and practices for a non-interim inspector general.
Accordingly, authorization is requested to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with attorney Patrick M. Blanchard to serve as MWRD’s Interim Inspector General in an amount not to exceed $175,000.00. If approved, it is anticipated that Mr. Blanchard would serve for the remainder of 2025. Mr. Blanchard has agreed to work at an hourly rate of $125.00.
Mr. Blanchard previously served as Cook County’s first inspector general from 2008 to 2022. During this time, Mr. Blanchard oversaw Cook County's Office of Independent Inspector General which was established to detect, deter, and prevent public corruption, fraud, waste, mismanagement, unlawful political discrimination, and misconduct in the operation of Cook County government and the offices of the separately elected Cook County officials. Under his leadership, Mr. Blanchard expanded the OIIG’s jurisdiction pursuant to an intergovernmental cooperation agreement to include the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and in 2019 expanded the OIIG’s jurisdiction pursuant to an IGA with MWRD, where he served as MWRD’s Independent Inspector General for 3 years. Mr. Blanchard received his certification from the National Association of Inspectors General in 2009, previously served as the President of the Association of Inspectors General, Illinois Chapter, and from January 2015 through 2022, Mr. Blanchard served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Inspectors General.
Prior to his appointment as Cook County Inspector General, Mr. Blanchard served as a Cook County Assistant State's Attorney from March 1993 to October 2008. During his tenure, Mr. Blanchard was assigned Division Chief of the Special Litigation Division and held several other supervisory positions within the Civil Actions Bureau of the office. There his practice included Employment Law, Civil Rights, Complex Litigation and Federal Litigation. His practice encompassed all aspects of trial and appellate litigation in both the State and Federal Court systems and included numerous high-profile matters.
The services of an interim inspector general are necessary due to MWRD’s statutory authority stating that the Board must either appoint its own inspector general or enter into an intergovernmental agreement with another unit of local government for the appointment of an inspector general. Since the IGA with Cook County expires May 16, 2025, it is necessary to appoint an interim inspector general to provide for continued inspector general services.
In view of the foregoing, it is requested that the Director of Procurement and Materials Management be authorized to issue a purchase order and enter into an agreement with attorney Patrick M. Blanchard to serve as the MWRD’s Interim Inspector General and to perform inspector general services for MWRD, in an initial amount of $175,000.00.
As Mr. Blanchard possesses a high degree of professional experience and skill, such action may be taken without advertising in accordance with Section 11.4 of the MWRD’s Purchasing Act.
Funds for the 2025 expenditure in the amount of $175,000.00 are available in Account 101-11000-612430.
Requested, Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel, STM:mmv
Recommeded, Darlene A. LoCascio, Director of Procurement and Materials Management
Respectfully Submitted, Precious Brady Davis, Chairperson Committee on Procurement
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for April 3, 2025