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  "path": "/illinois/2026/04/30/former-inspector-general-deborah-witzburg-hired-illinois-attorney-general-raoul-chief-staff",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-30T22:07:50.991Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p>Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office has hired now-former Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg less than a week after she left that position.</p><p>She’ll serve as his chief of staff, a low-profile position after years in the spotlight clashing with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson over issues with staffing and, in particular, the infamous mayoral gift room.</p><p>Her four-year term as city inspector general ended April 24.</p><p>“Deborah served the city of Chicago with distinction, and her experience as inspector general and a former prosecutor gives her perspective to lead the office prioritizing efficiency and integrity,” Raoul said in a statement issued by his office. “Now more than ever, the Attorney General’s office is at the forefront of defending the rights of all Illinoisans. I am proud to add talented attorneys to my office’s leadership team at this crucial moment.”</p><p>Witzburg also was quoted in the statement, saying: “I deeply admire the work of Attorney General Raoul and his office, and I’m honored to join the team.” But she declined to say anything further when reached by phone.</p><p>The one-term city inspector general decided not to seek a reappointment she wasn’t likely to get after clashing with Johnson and his inner circle over a host of ethics issues in the mayor’s office.</p><div class=\"RelatedList Enhancement\" data-module data-align-center> <div class=\"RelatedList-title\">Related</div> <ul class=\"RelatedList-items\"> <li class=\"RelatedList-items-item\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/fran-spielman-show/2026/04/02/chicago-inspector-general-deborah-witzburg-mayor-brandon-johnson\" >Mayor Johnson’s administration ‘reflexively hostile to oversight,’ outgoing Chicago inspector general says</a> </li> <li class=\"RelatedList-items-item\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2026/04/15/inspector-general-deborah-witzburg-report-ex-mayoral-staffer-city-contractor-unauthorized-work-investigation\" >Ex-mayor’s aide got their child hired by city contractor, let firm do unauthorized work, inspector general says</a> </li> <li class=\"RelatedList-items-item\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2025/07/18/chicago-mayors-inspector-generals-contentious-relationship-that-almost-always-ends-badly\" >Chicago mayors and their inspectors general: A contentious relationship that almost always ends badly</a> </li> </ul> </div> <p>David Glockner — a former federal prosecutor who helped ComEd dig out of the federal corruption scandal that culminated in the conviction of former Illinois House Speaker <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/madigan-trial-news\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Michael Madigan</u></a> — was picked by Johnson to replace Witzburg. But that choice still needs the backing of the City Council’s Ethics Committee before going to the full Council for final approval.</p><p>In response to <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/fran-spielman-show/2026/04/02/chicago-inspector-general-deborah-witzburg-mayor-brandon-johnson\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>allegations it had weaponized city legal processes</u></a>, the mayor’s office said Witzburg’s office was “using its platform to air politicized grievances in a manner that risks compromising the credibility and independence” of an office that “must remain grounded in facts, fairness and the public trust.”</p><p>Witzburg told the Sun-Times the mayor was “<a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/fran-spielman-show/2026/04/02/chicago-inspector-general-deborah-witzburg-mayor-brandon-johnson\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>reflexively hostile to oversight</u></a>.”<i> </i></p><p>Johnson denied her investigators access to the <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2025/11/04/city-inspector-general-deborah-witzburg-mayor-brandon-johnson-gift-room\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>City Hall gift room</u></a> and the Law Department’s demand to sit in on investigators’ interviews with city employees and dilute ethics reforms. And despite her demands, Johnson also refused to <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2025/10/15/city-inspector-general-deborah-witzburg-brandon-johnson-top-adviser-jason-lee-investigation\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>fire senior mayoral adviser Jason Lee</u></a> for not cooperating with Witzburg’s investigation of an alleged quid pro quo threat that Lee made to 34th Ward Ald. Bill Conway in 2023.</p><p>In an <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/fran-spielman-show/2026/04/02/chicago-inspector-general-deborah-witzburg-mayor-brandon-johnson\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>outgoing interview</u></a> with the Sun-Times, Witzburg had teased remaining in public service, but didn’t give details on her future.</p><p>“I have spent my whole career as a government lawyer,” Witzburg said. “I have only ever intended to work in public service. That continues to be my plan.”</p><p><i>Contributing: Fran Spielman, Violet Miller</i></p>",
  "title": "Former Chicago inspector general Deborah Witzburg hired by Illinois Attorney General's office",
  "updatedAt": "2026-04-30T22:07:50.991Z"
}