Back on November 1, as the City Council considered the Chicago Police Department’s 2014 budget, 44th ward Alderman Tom Tunney assured his constituents that he was on the case. From Ald. Tunney’s November 1, 2013, newsletter:
The first round of budget hearings began this week and I have been actively working to ensure that this budget meets the needs of our community. Yesterday was the police budget hearing and I focused many of my questions around police manpower, the effects of the merger on the 19th District, police response time, radio assignment pending status in the 19th district, and increased public transit security at CTA stations. […] I submitted my questions in writing to the Budget Chairman and will share the department’s responses with you when I receive them. [Emphasis ours.]
The alderman has yet to release the answers.
He and most of the other 50 alderman long ago voted to approve a budget and the 19th district has already lost 8 officers in 2014.
In 2011, police superintendent Garry McCarthy testified before the city council on October 27. The department issued written responses to aldermen’s written questions 12 days later, on November 8.
So, did the alderman vote on the police budget without getting the information he requested? Or, has he received the answers and simply kept them to himself?
We asked his office about this in an email Thursday morning.
Crime In Wrigleyville & Boystown
Thu, Jan 9, 2014 at 9:54 AM
To: Tom TunneyGood morning,
Has the alderman received answers to the questions he submitted in writing to the Chicago Police Department as mentioned in his November 1 newsletter?
His office has not responded.
