Trenches of Democracy

Excerpts from the second semi-annual report by Shakman Compliance Administrator (CA) Julia M. Nowicki:

H. Irregular Job Posting and Hiring Procedures

The CA’s attorneys have uncovered evidence of irregular hiring procedures. One such incidence involves a department of fewer than 60 employees. According to claimant, he is the only employee in his department that was not a political appointee. Claimant states that promotions within his department are based on participation ill the elections and activity in support of political candidates and parties. Claimant states that there are three employees in the department that work on political candidates and parties’ mailings on County time. Since the only significant difference between the five positions within his department is the salary, claimant believes that these position labels exist simply for the purpose of rewarding workers for their political contributions and activities.

Claimant further alleges that promotions are not always posted. Claimant identifies five individuals who appeared in the department and/or were promoted within the department who did so without a job posting. Some available promotions are posted for just a few hours; one position was posted for only two days. After applying for a number of positions, claimant received harassing telephone calls asking if he was still expecting a promotion and if he had joined a political ward’s organization yet.

To be continued…

You can read the full Shakman report here.

Tags: Cook County, Nowicki, Patronage, Shakman, Stroger

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