Mar 13 2008
Cook County Corruption Chronicles:Part 4
Excerpts from the second semi-annual report by Shakman Compliance Administrator (CA) Julia M. Nowicki:
III. CLAIMS INVESTIGATIONS AND ADJUDICATION
A. Introduction
The Supplemental Relief Order allows class members to file claims alleging illegal political patronage with CA. Claims must have been filed within the prescribed time, allege wrong-doing by an entity under the CA’s purview, and conform to the requirements as set out in the SRO. The claims attest to the many ways that illegal patronage functioned in the County in the past. Claims portray the negative affects of patronage in three major ways. First, illegal patronage has enabled the hiring and· promotion of unqualified or lesser qualified people over more qualified candidates. Second, supervisors are often unable or unwilling to discipline politically-protected hires, causing a double standard of expected conduct within the ranks of County employees. Third, the claims allege workers who do not have political sponsorship are required to work outside their job title without fair compensation and are denied promotions.
Information gathered to date through the investigation process suggests illegal political consideration in employment decisions were common at Cook County. The CA recommends that the County acts to ensure that illegal patronage considerations in hiring no longer occur. To do so, the County should correct vestiges of patronage, chiefly by enforcing the fair discipline of politically-protected employees and through qualification based hirings and promotions.
A substantial number of the claimants have expressed fear of retaliation. The CA commends these individuals for coming forward, despite their apparently reasonable fears. The need to protect individuals who have brought claims now, and those who may bring claims in the future, is evident to the CA. Thus, the need for an adequately financed and staffed Office of the Independent Inspector General constitutes one of the single most important recommendations the CA hereby proposes.
To be continued…
You can read the full Shakman report here.
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