Watchdog Calls for Olympics Oversight

Watchdog Calls for Olympics Oversight

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This morning, the International Olympic Committee released a report that praised all the bids, and identified some potential problems. In Chicago the IOC highlighted concerns about money—saying the city’s budget is “ambitious but achievable.” And, the lack of a full financial guarantee raised questions about who would be on the hook should the Games go over budget. Closer to home, some of those same issues are raising questions about a system of checks and balances should the city’s bid succeed. A new proposal from Mayor Richard M. Daley calls for a couple of aldermen to join the private committee that would organize the games. But another idea has the city’s inspector general monitoring that committee. First-ward Alderman Manny Flores presented that ordinance at a news conference yesterday with a group of other alderman, and Better Government Association Executive Director Andy Shaw was there.