THE LOOP (WBBM Newsradio) -- Chicago's top official government watchdog says it's been a "tremendous privilege" to serve in that post for the last four years.
Friday marks Deborah Witzburg's last day on the job as the city's Inspector General, after announcing in July that she would not seek re-appointment to the post.
"I truly believe we're the good guys," Witzburg told WBBM Newsradio in an extensive interview ahead of her final days in the office, noting that her investigative team has seen an increase in the number of requests for assistance, which she calls "intakes."
"I do not think that that number is going up because more things are going wrong in city government," she said. "I think that number is going up because people know who we are and what we do and where to find us."
Witzburg says that to her is a sign that the office is helping make city government more transparent and more accountable, despite acknowledging that one of the hardest things about the job is "how to answer the question about whether it's working."
"I truly believe we have pushed a very heavy boulder up a very steep hill a little bit," she said in a reference to the Greek legend of Sisyphus.
Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson has received a list of three potential successors to Witzburg from a search committee. He has not said when he intends to make an appointment.
As for Witzburg's next move, she said an announcement will come "soon," though she did not appear to rule out a potential move into the political arena.
"I will steal a line from Rahm Emanuel: I'm not done with public service, and I hope public service isn't done with me," she responded.
Deborah Witzburg marks last day as inspector general; "we're the good guys"
Deborah Witzburg marks last day as inspector general; "we're the good guys"
