BPI is acting as pro bono counsel for the Inspector General of the City of Chicago in its effort to require the City’s corporation counsel to comply with a subpoena that requests confidential information needed for the Inspector General to investigate a no-bid contract with a previous top aide to former Mayor Daley.

 

This case has potentially far-reaching legal implications.  It pits two important legal principles in opposition: the public’s right to know (the City Inspector General) versus the sanctity of attorney-client privilege (City Corporation Counsel).

 

In April, 2011, the First District Appellate Court of Cook County reversed the trial court's motion to dismiss, ruling that the City Inspector General did have the authority to enforce its subpoena and to retain private counsel.  It remanded the case to the trial court for the limited purpose of determining if the attorney-client privilege applies.

On September 28, 2011, the Illinois Supreme Court allowed the City Corporation Counsel's petition for leave to appeal the First District Appellate Court decision.  The Supreme Court case is now being briefed.