CHICAGO (AP) - Mayor Richard Daley has apologized for the state of scandal-plagued City Hall, saying he should have done more to prevent corruption in his administration. Federal authorities have spent more than 18 months investigating bribes given in return for jobs in a city trucking program. Earlier this year, that probe was expanded to allegations of fraud in city hiring practices.
"I take responsibility for these problems and tonight, I make a commitment to you to do everything within my power to fix them, root out those who engage in misconduct and hold them accountable for their misdeeds," Daley said Tuesday night during a budget hearing at a neighborhood center.
"It's become clear to me that I should have done more to maintain higher ethical standards and prevent corruption," he said.
Daley, who has not been accused of wrongdoing, answered questions Friday from federal investigators. His office said the interview concerned certain city programs and policies for hiring and promotion.
More than 20 people have pleaded guilty in the investigation of the scandal-plagued Hired Truck Program. Federal authorities say payoffs in the program were widespread and thousands of dollars worth of city property was stolen.
In the hiring fraud scandal, city officials are alleged to have faked scores to help applicants get city jobs after they earned political clout by working in get-out-the-vote organizations.
Two city officials were charged last month with allegedly rigging the city's hiring system. A court order bars City Hall from considering politics when filling most city jobs.
