Chicago City Wire

A federal indictment announced charging Alderman Willie Cochran with multiple counts of extortion, bribery and wire fraud didn't surprise the city's former anti-corruption czar.

Faisal Khan, the former Legislative Inspector General (LIG) of Chicago, was hired by the City Council in 2010 to the freshly minted position, on the heels of Alderman Isaac Carothers’ bribery conviction, ut the oversight job was all show and no teeth. Khan was given no real authority and was targeted by aldermen on every front, from acquiring documents and interviews to processing evidence.

When Khan was forced to leave his position because the council refused to fund the LIG office further, he handed his computers and documents to the FBI on his way out the door. In Wednesday’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon recognized Khan’s contribution to Cochran’s indictment.

“My job as investigator or as a potential witness didn’t end when my term as legislative inspector Ggeneral ended,” Khan said. “We were the investigators in the case, in conjunction with the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office. We continued to provide any support that we could. We finish what we start.”

When his LIG job ended, Khan had a choice: Stay in Chicago or return to his hometown of New York City.

“I spoke to a lot of people who felt the way I do, that this battle is far from over,” Khan said. “I stayed because I consider Chicago my home, and I wanted to continue fighting for my neighbors and friends who live here and deserve better.”

Last June, Khan became CEO of government watchdog group Project Six, whose goal is to hold Chicago's elected officials accountable. 

“This (City Council) has become a body known more for corruption than success,” Khan said. “We want to change it from the outside looking in as Project Six…but we want the voters to pay attention also. We want them to think seriously and hard about who they are going to elect.”

Khan hopes this latest political scandal will remind his fellow Chicagoans to get involved. “Even if you think Alderman Cochran’s (alleged) corruption doesn’t affect you, it does. Corruption affects everyone. It’s why our taxes go up. We have to pay the bills for lawsuits for illegal activities that go on in our city.”

One way for voters to participate is to hold politicians’ feet to the fire for the “moon and star” promises they make while campaigning.

“Voters need to have long memories,” Khan said. “That’s the only way (politicians) will keep promises.”

While Khan said this week's indictment was a victory for ethics and oversight, he cautions that the path to establishing accountability for elected officials is a long one.

“The only way we’re going to be successful is with everyone’s help,” Khan said. “It’s time for Chicagoans to take their city back from this culture of corruption.”