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PROPOSED REAPPOINTMENT
Appointee(s): Patrick M. Blanchard
Position: Independent Inspector General
Department/Board/Commission: Office of the Cook County Independent Inspector General
Effective date: 10/15/2020
Expiration date: 10/14/2022
Summary: In 2007, the Cook County Board of Commissioners through enactment of a Cook County Ordinance created the first Office of Independent Inspector General for Cook County. Following the enactment of the Ordinance, the Cook County Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association agreed to convene a nominating committee tasked with the responsibility to recommend qualified candidates. Thereafter, secondary interviews of the recommended candidates were conducted by a bipartisan selection committee that was comprised of four Cook County Commissioners, the Director of Ethics and the Cook County State’s Attorney. Upon completion of this process, the current Independent Inspector General, Patrick M. Blanchard was nominated for appointment and in October of 2008, Mr. Blanchard was appointed Cook County’s first Independent Inspector General. Mr. Blanchard was thereafter appointed to a second six-year term and Mr. Blanchard’s appointment expires on 10/14/2020.
In accordance with Section 2-282 of the Cook County Code of Ordinances, authorization is hereby requested to reappoint Patrick M. Blanchard to an additional two-year term and restart the appointment process for a new Independent Inspector General. Allowing a two-year appointment will provide for continuity in the Office of the Independent Inspector General and allow Mr. Blanchard to assist the County and the President’s Office in managing the new appointment process which should begin to occur eight-ten months prior to the expiration of his term on 10/14/2022.
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