Veteran Chicago Official Resigns, Firing Imminent?

In the wake of an investigation by the Chicago Inspector General’s (IG) office into contract practices at the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), life-long public safety communications official Jim Argiropoulos has resigned from his position as deputy commissioner of the OEMC. Sources within the agency that provides 911 calltaking and radio dispatching for the city’s police and fire departments say Argiropoulos would have been fired if he had stayed, after the IG’s investigation found Argiropoulos had falsified documents in 2004 to obtain new comm center consoles. According to the IG report, Argiropoulos falsely claimed to purchase 18,000 radio accessories under an existing contract, for the same price as the consoles would cost. He should have obtained approval for the console purchase and put the purchase out to bid, according to city regulations. Argiropoulos began his dispatching career at 15, and worked as a paramedic before joining the OEMC. Read more about the situation here.