OIG Launches New Socioeconomic and City Data Comparison Dashboard

July 2, 2024

New Socioeconomic and City Data Comparison Dashboard Visualizes Intersection of Chicago's Socioeconomic and Demographic Landscape with City Service and Program Delivery

The City of ChicagoOffice of Inspector General(OIG) has launched its newest dashboard, the Socioeconomic and City Data Comparison Dashboard. This dashboard contains a repository of U.S. Census data, such as population, demographic, and socioeconomic indicators, presented across City of Chicago wards, community areas, police districts, and beats, to provide a view into how City programs and services and their outcomes impact people across Chicago's neighborhoods. Side-by-side maps allow users to visualize and compare the distribution of City services and programs, such as 911 calls and Tax Increment Financing District(TIF), to census data, such as race, household income, education level, or other factors.

"Chicago is very much a city of neighborhoods; challenges faced by and services provided to residents look very different on some blocks than others. OIG recognizes that misconduct, waste, and corruption impact Chicagoans differently based on racial, geographic, and other demographic factors and that fraud, waste, and corruption can compound existing inequities," said Deborah Witzburg, Inspector General for the City of Chicago. "We hope this new tool will be useful to stakeholders across Chicago as we work to allocate City resources to areas of greatest need."

"Promoting transparency in City government is a fundamental plank in OIG's mission; we are working to shine light into the windowless rooms in City government. Where the City of Chicago operates at a deficit of legitimacy with its residents-and one long in the making-we can ill afford to govern behind closed doors," added Witzburg. OIG's transparency mandate comes to life in OIG's Information Portal, where more than 40 public-facing data dashboards allow users to visualize and analyze clear and reliable information about City government.

Key features of the new Socioeconomic and City Data Comparison Dashboard include:

• Population Demographics: Mapping of population distribution by race, ethnicity, gender, and location, highlighting diversity and demographics within the city.
• Socioeconomic Insights: Detailed examination of poverty levels and educational attainment across communities, offering insight into these socioeconomic markers within different racial and ethnic groups.
• 911 Calls for Police Service: A breakdown of dispatched 911 calls by priority, geography, and time, providing a snapshot of public safetyneeds and response patterns.
• Economic and Development Information: Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts and industrial zones, mapping out the economic landscape and development efforts across Chicago.

View the Dashboard

View the dashboard, released on July 2, 2024.

About the Office of Inspector General

The mission of the independent and nonpartisan City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) is to promote economy, effectiveness, efficiency, and integrity by identifying corruption, waste, and mismanagement in City government. OIG is a watchdog for the taxpayers of the City and has jurisdiction to conduct inquiries into most aspects of City government.

If you see misconduct, mismanagement, ineffectiveness, or inefficiency, we need to hear from you.

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