In an effort to decrease the influence of politics when it comes to receiving a county job, Cook County employees are now obligated to reveal their political contacts during the hiring process.
“This is a step toward ending the county’s history of political favors and backroom deals,” says Tony Preckwinkle, the County Board President. Preckwinkle hopes this will better legitimize the hiring process so that all taxpayers will receive an equal opportunity for the jobs.
Andy Shaw, who leads the Better Government Association, believes that the typical resident should have the same claim to a contract or position as someone who has connections with a committeeman, alderman, or the commissioner. He agrees that this measure would help even the playing field.
“This is a step in the right direction,” says Shaw.
As all the information will now be made publicly available on the Cook County website, Shaw hopes that people will think things through before taking on favors for politicians.
County Inspector General Pat Blanchard states that any employees caught lying about their political contacts could be fired.
In response to Chicago’s political favoritism, visiting artist will do favors for the people of Chicago (as long as they are legal and take less than 3 hours).
See http://priscillastadler.wordpress.com for more info.
New hiring measures seek to eliminate political favoritism http://ilne.ws/eWdeKn