Chicago Tribune: Job freeze not so frozen

[Tweed]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0501190363jan19,1,3493823.story?coll=chi-newslocal-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true

Eighteen months into a hiring freeze that exempted only critical public health and safety jobs, Cook County government has added 2,700 new workers, roughly 10 percent of the payroll.

Many of the new hires are doctors, nurses and jail guards, but there are also scores of new administrators, and county officials found several slots for relatives and the politically connected.

County Board President John Stroger, who ordered the freeze in 2003, has hired two administrative assistants, a $59,000-a-year human resources aide and a $78,000-a-year special events coordinator, among others.

Recorder of Deeds Eugene Moore hired his son Eric, 38, as a $44,000-a-year administrative assistant while also finding an $82,000-a-year position as director of satellite offices for Thornton Township Supervisor and Democratic Committeeman Frank Zuccarelli."



I predict that Mayor Daley will win in 2007 with more than 75% of the vote.

[DrGonzoLives]

1. There are 2700 people

who donated enough to warrant jobs?

[Guns Aximbo]

2. is that a bad thing?

2700 new jobs?

[Tweed]

3. No, I think more jobs, the better

However it's somewhat ironic that they put apparently put a 'job freeze' on and then hired an additional 10% of their total employees. It's something that in other cities politicians would get in trouble for, but in Chicago and Cook County most people agree with our sentiment: more jobs is a good thing. Who cares if they went back on a policy as long as it helps the people?

Also, I shouldn't have said Mayor Daley will get re-elected when it's really County President Stroger that placed the 'freeze'.

[Guns Aximbo]

4. well...

In the corporate world it works the same way. Even though there is a job freeze, they still hire based upon actual needs of the corporation.

[DrGonzoLives]

5. It's not that so much

as it is the fact that many of them were relatives, political friends and contributors, and so forth. It's one thing if it's a fair hiring process, but does it help if only those who are connected get the jobs?