The British consulting firm L.E.K. Consulting has been hired to conduct an independent review of the numbers behind the proposed Chicago 2016 Summer Olympic Games bid, reports Chicago Business.
The company’s media and entertainment practice includes sports projects and was hired by the Civic Federation, a local tax policy watchdog group in Chicago, at the request of City Council.
Federation President Laurence Msail said, “the firm will help us conduct an independent review of expenditures and revenues”. He said he believes the firm has been involved in helping other cities prepare Olympic bids, but stressed that it played no role in Chicago’s bid.
Chicago City Council recently passed a resolution asked for an independent study after Mayor Richard M. Daley reversed course and reportedly agreed to sign a contract bearing full financial responsibility should Chicago host the 2016 Games.
Msail said the federation intends to submit its report to City Council on August 28.
