Urban renewal is a guiding mission for the Chicago Park District, but their attempts are becoming a costly burden on the urbanites. A joint investigation between the Better Government Association and Fox Chicago News found thousands of dollars charged to company credit cards for personal use.
The Park District Superintendent Chief of Staff, Shawn Schmidt, was suspended without pay after the investigations found taxpayers picking up a heavy tab for Schmidt’s business trips.
In the last three years Schmidt has traveled on over 24 trips nationwide to park district conferences and meetings with other districts. These trips and lobbying efforts help generate federal dollars for the park district, Fox News reports.
via Park District Wines And Dines On City Dollar: Chicagoist.