www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-chicago-schools-cars-14-jan15,0,4102489.story
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Tribune watchdog
Chicago schools vehicle-lease deal: Inspector general investigating staffers' use of cars
Spokeswoman says proper procedures were not followed in leasing vehicles
By Todd Lighty and Azam Ahmed
Tribune reporters
January 15, 2010
The Chicago Public Schools inspector general has launched an investigation into senior staff's use of leased cars, including an SUV driven by schools chief Ron Huberman that's equipped with satellite radio and heated seats.
The investigation was sparked by a Tribune story Sunday that disclosed Huberman's use of two taxpayer-funded cars -- a perk not available to previous school chiefs.
The schools on Thursday returned Huberman's 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid and five other vehicles to the leasing company at the urging of the inspector general.
Huberman used the Ford Escape to drive to work and for school-related trips at a cost to taxpayers of more than $800 a month. The vehicle was in addition to a Ford Crown Victoria he rides in while in Chicago; the district leases it for about $1,000 a month, not including driver pay.
The Tribune story prompted criticism about the vehicles' costs, especially with layoffs looming and deep cuts to school programs.
Inspector General James Sullivan confirmed Thursday that his office is investigating but declined to elaborate.
The story also prompted the administration to review its leasing program and discover procedures were not followed, said Monique Bond, schools spokeswoman.
The schools have a contract with Ryder Transportation Services to supply vehicles. But Bond said Huberman's Escape and five other vehicles assigned to senior staff were -- for undetermined reasons -- leased from Enterprise Leasing Co. in violation of school policy and procedures. She said the schools do not have a contract with Enterprise and that the problem resides with the Transportation Department.
"That department is responsible," Bond said. "I don't want to implicate any individual, but we found out that policies were not followed ... Those found to be responsible will face severe disciplinary action."
Vehicles should have been leased under a three-year contract with Ryder that the school board approved in August 2007, Bond said. Ryder has been paid more than $1.5 million under the contract, according to records. Bond said officials also learned Enterprise was to supply 36 cars to the student-driver program and there was no contract for the cars.
"Ron is upset that proper procedures were not followed," she said. "He's troubled. He's embarrassed, and he's angry."
Bond defended Huberman's use of two vehicles, saying he works long hours and it made no sense for a driver to make trips to his home.
"At this time, he is not going to have two cars," Bond said. "He's given up the SUV."
tlighty@tribune.com
aahmed@tribune.com
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