Friday, October 5, 2007
News / Clout City Nice work if you can keep it
Posted by Mick Dumke on 10.05.07 at 09:48 PM
It's hard not to conclude that the city's hiring process is a mess.
Earlier this week court-appointed hiring monitor Noelle Brennan said that 1,451 former city employees had filed claims saying they'd been passed over for jobs or promotions because they didn't have political connections.
Then 50 employees in the Department of Human Resources found their jobs advertised on Craigslist. Their superiors told them they'd need to reapply for their positions and be willing to take reduced pay as part of a department reorganization.
A few weeks ago the City Council approved Mayor Daley's plan to create a new office to oversee compliance with fair-hiring rules, even though Human Resources and the Inspector General's Office are supposed to do that. Several aldermen who voted for the plan said they didn't like it but decided to go along with the mayor because it was clear he was going to win. Brennan, IG David Hoffman, and antipatronage attorney Michael Shakman all ripped the plan.
These incidents all show, once again, how difficult it is for city employees, aspiring city employees, advocates of good government, taxpayers, or the federal courts to grasp--let alone reform--the insular and often rigged employment process at the city of Chicago.
And anyone who gets in should make sure to keep their bosses and sponsors happy. Data acquired from the city's Human Resources Board show that when city workers are fired, they have little chance of winning their jobs back [scroll down to "The Coconut Brings in a Closer"].
Since 2002, 149 city workers have appealed their terminations. Thirty have had their punishments reduced to suspensions. Seven have won a complete reversal. The others have lost their jobs for good.
Meanwhile, the city has struggled to discipline abusive and corrupt cops, and Christopher Kozicki is protected by the mayor. And let's not even get into the mess in Cook County, where Patty Young, the girlfriend of commissioner William Beavers, worked briefly in the purchasing department this week. She denied having done so, saying "I don't know who offered [the job] to me, but it wasn't enough money, so I didn't take it." Young, on "stress leave" from CDOT, would have reported to the wife of Todd Stroger's best friend, who heads the department; Stroger's cousin Vincent Jones is a deputy there.
Comments (89)
Showing 1-50 of 89
To get your job back from the City of Chicago some major things need to occur. 1. You need a great lawyer. 2. You must be not guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt. 3. You must be a outstanding and honest worker. 4. Most important, you need a great lawyer. 5. You need an awesome well paid lawyer. Anyone picking up on a pattern?
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You missed one thing, they need a honest as well as a good lawyer. Many Chicago lawyer will not take a case against the city, for fear it will preclude them from getting legal work from the city ,or county. To become a state judge a lawyer must go through ED BURKE or MICHAEL MADIGAN. To become a federal judge, a lawyer must be approve by a US Senator. Some times Federal Judges exhibit independence, unlike hacked up circuit court judges. Whenever a circuit court judge bucks the party line,and rules against the city,the State appeals will protect Daley and the city. Remember the city has tort immunity against neligence,and other oppressive practices. In other words, it is extremely difficult to beat or find justice from Daley in court. Many attorneys will walk away from someone ,or charge absorbent rates. Justice definitely will not be found in the court system. Getting this garbage out of office is our only hope. Didn't Shakespeare state" kill all the lawyers"
Do you means the State Appeals court. If you do I agree . The city has had many decisions ,against them overturned in the State and Federal Appeals courts.
Waah, waah, waah..... Whats wrong Little Mick ? Your application to Jackie Heard was dismissed to the circular file ? Tired of cobbling together a living of part time work at Columbia, hack writing at the Reader and free lance work that occassionally gets picked up ? Feeling the heat from the new owners and looking to leave the Reader ?
Now we know about some job openings, maybe we can get Frank Cocohead to get off his ass and stop crying how he was victimized and apply for one. To all the people being down sized, doesn't it happen in the private sector. Why should the city be any different. They should make whatever adjustment necessary to feed their families.
just once you could surprise everybody and post issues instead of attacking people guess it's easier to attack Mick or Frank than defend the human resources situation at the City or County
11th 'man': "To all the people being down sized, doesn't it happen in the private sector. Why should the city be any different. They should make whatever adjustment necessary to feed their families." Orioboy: "Waah, waah, waah....." and "...while I enjoy a lovely three day holiday weekend (at taxpayer expense - thank you Christopher Columbus for getting lost and giving us a holiday) and going to the Cubs game (hopefully two) with tickets obtained (paid face value - sorry chumps who use a scalper) from an elected official. Lfie is beautiful." NOW do we all understand why I say HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT? The system of electing representatives to govern us, legislative, (the makers of laws) judicial, (the interpreters and adjudicators of laws) and executive, (the makers of policies and mangers of same), isn't, in itself, flawed. The system of democracy has been exploited, abused and corrupted by the very persons that we, the people, have either elected, or allowed to be elected. We, the people, have failed ourselves. We, the people, do not have to continue to fail ourselves. We can remove those persons who have exploited democracy, we can put an end to their corruptions and abuses. We can HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT. Understand that this strategy will be more effective at beginning to change the nature of our governments than the traditional attempts at personality politics can ever be. Granted, at some point, the people will have to engage and participate in their own governance, will have to use the brains God gave them to determine which individuals are going to be worthy of being elected to the various offices of the legislative, judicial and executive branches. But FIRST, the process of democracy must be returned to it's intended state of being free, fair, open, honest and just. The most efficient means is HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT. To all the citizens of this city, county and state: HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT Just do it.
HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT I am pretty sick of this. Lets get some fresh thoughts here. A Loyal Reader.
"Lets get some fresh thoughts here." Is that what you, a self-proclaimed 'loyal reader', yearn for? How about providing some of them yourself? I'M pretty sick of all the many crooks, schemers, liars and rascals controlling my city, county and state governments. I'M pretty sick of working my ass off, only to have the likes of orioboy, 11th man, kosiki and their ilk bleed me in taxes and gloat about it. I'M pretty sick of being lied to, by the likes of daley, madigan, stroger, jones and too many names to list, all manipulating thieves, liars and scam artists. If you want 'fresh thoughts', have some yourself and share them with us.
Has anyone got a link to a complete list of City jobs and salaries? Be nice if we the people could see exactly where our money's going. I seem to recall the Sun-Times prints a list annually of the City budget and that lists all the information. Unskilled City laborers on $70k a year plus handsome benefits and pensions and otherwise unemployable fuckwits picking up similar sized paychekcs for doing nothing more than robbing taxpayers. What time does the revolution start? If it doesn't clash with the Bears game, count me in.
Who wrote this in Chicago? "As employees of the City of Chicago we all have an obligation to make a solid commitment to the efficient and effective delivery of city services". A. Adolf Hitler B. Mara Georges C. The Chicago Cubs D. The Chicago Bears E. Patrick D. McDonough F. Richard M. Daley Well what is your answer?
The human resource board should just be eliminated. It's nothing but a tool for the mayor to hurt opposition and save his people. It would save the taxpayers millions of dollars . My appeal cost the taxpayers over $600,000.00 The appeal officer in my case,Roger Balla,made the majority of the money . all he did during the case was sleep. Mayor daley is in a budget crunch. Get rid of the Human Resource Board and save the taxpayers Millionsof wasted money!
Sorry I still have a job,and won't be down sized. The employees being eliminate are probabily marginal,and unproductive, like coconate.
Have no doubt. I have no doubt you have too much time on your hands. go out this weekend and get yoursrelf some.
11th man, productive like, Laura Foxgover(PARK GRILL) sleeping with Mike O'Malley to get the permitt for the liquer license for Park Grill and PRODUCING a child. Is that what you mean?
11th man its a shame Daley needs cartoon characters to spin his mildly retarded garbage
"I'M pretty sick of working my ass off,....." Well you need to work harder because I got a raise coming on 1/1/08.
orioboy, 11th 'man', et al. So reliable, so consistent, so dependable. Sorta like an effective laxative. Makes it all the more sweet when the HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT strategy hits them, right in the head.
I do not care about the Olympics. I will be living on my $100K plus pension by then. Thanks,
SO WHAT! FOR A PROSTITUTE YOU ARE A CHEAP HO OR WHORE. YOU SHOULD BE PAID MORE FOR YOU SERVICES.
Getting back on track. How much does Hearing officer Roger Balla make? Human Resource Board Members Reverand Lucius Hall, Enrico Marabelli, Gerry Chico's Nephew,and Tom Aumann. As a matter of fact, whats the Budget for the all operation? $5 million or $8 million . It's a waste and nothing but patronage positions. The Us attorney should be all over this department. Mayor Din-Dong wants to save money, get rid of this waste of taxpayers money!
Cocoboy, Why don't you just invite people to come to your final hearing befor the HR Board Tuesday October 16th at 11:03 am City Hall Room 1100. Than they can see for themselves HRB Chairman Lucius Hall, Enrico Marabelli and Roger Balla at work. What are you scared what they will see?
A Thomas J. Aumann who works for the Law Dept. as ASST CORPORATION COUNSEL, employed since 7/16/2003, $4,856.00/mo., $58,272.00/yr. So when you appeal to the Board you have City lawyers in front of AND behind the bench?
Dr. Lucius Hall, Pastor First Church of Love and Faith 2140 W 79th St CHAIRMAN since 10/2/1991 salary $3,258.00/mo., $39,096.00/yr.
Here's a link to the Human Resources Board budget, $8.3M for 2007 http://www.chicityclerk.com/citycouncil/journals/111506meeting/03Budget/UnfinishedBusiness1/pgs92691-92740.pdf#page=48 head count 5 Chair @ $39K/yr, 2 members @ $22K/yr, a "project coordinator" @ $78K/yr, and an admin asst @ $34K/yr
list of City jobs and salaries Classification and Pay Plan http://egov.cityofchicago.org/webportal/COCWebPortal/COC_EDITORIAL/2007_08ClassificatonPayPlan_1.pdf
The 100K is the pension fool. That is only 70% of current salary. After "retiring" I'll go to the County or CTA or CPS or City College and then get two checks ! And to let you know I am not ungrateful, I say Thank you, chumps.
Please, please, please, be more forthcoming with ALL the details of your swag income. Tell us ALL about how deeply and lucratively your own activities have depleted the taxpayers' meager incomes. While you're at it, encourage all your buddies to do the same. We ALL want to hear you, and your fellow clout monkeys, brag, in great detail, about the many financial 'victories' you've achieved. Don't restrain yourselves, be as mocking and as arrogant as is your natures, express yourselves in as offensive and insulting a manner as you're inclined to. We WELCOME your frank and open input to this blog. We APPRECIATE every single mocking word you guys post. We VALUE each and every specific detail you provide. YOU are the leaders of the vanguard. YOU are the best representatives of the best of the worst the incumbents have to offer. YOU have reached the pinnacle of success, as you define it. We LOVE IT, that you guys and gals are so willing to crawl out from under your rocks and, finally, shout to the world, "We're pieces of greedy shit and we're proud of it!!!". Thanks. Really. Thanks mucho.
ORION YOU ARE UNDER PAID . True Daley operatives make millions, not just a chump change pension. Just check what Tim degan, jerry joyce, Christopher Kozicki make$ $$. That why I called you a cheap HO.
Who are the hearing officers, Roger Balla, and how much are they paid. The identites of human resources board hearing officers,is not revealed. I was told because hearing officiers are contractors,and not employees.
Ever notice that, when these 'budget shortfalls' are announced, they are always accompanied by blatant threats to cut/reduce/eliminate ESSENTIAL city, county or state services to the MOST NEEDY and MOST VULNERABLE citizens? That they NEVER threaten to cut THEIR OWN bloated salaries? Or the bloated salaries of their buddies? Or their own heavily padded staff? Or their pals and buddies sweet contract deals? Or ANYTHING other than those expenditures of our tax dollars that assist those in GREATEST NEED and LEAST ABLE to do without said ESSENTIAL services, be they city, county or state? What a great bunch of public servants we have. Self-sacrificers all. As long as those sacrifices are made by OTHER selves than themselves.
Threats to reduce services are nothling but efforts by our political Masters to extort more taxes from the citizens. In Europe the masses would take to the streets, to give thier elected officials hell. In Ameria the masses are afraid of politicans.
IF the salaries of the 3 personnel board members and 2 staff personnel equals $195,038.00 where does the remaining $916,784.00 go for ?
another HR Board member MIRABELLI, ENRICO J MEMBER since 9/10/1997 salary $1,811.00/mo., $21,732.00/yr Enrico J. Mirabelli @ Nadler, Pritikin, and Mirabelli, LLC http://www.npmfamlaw.com/secondarymd.html
Mirabelli, Enrico J. 130 East Randolph Drive Suite 1200 Chicago, IL 60601 Occupation: Attorney Employer: Nadler Pritikin & Mirabelli $1,000.00 1/27/2003 to Richard M Daley Campaign Committee Mirabelli, Valentina 1556 W Jackson Blvd Chicago, IL 60607 Occupation: Attorney Employer: Nadler Pritikin & Mirabelli $2,500.00 2/21/2007 to Richard M Daley Campaign Committee
hmm, that's odd, no Valentina Mirabelli licensed as an attorney in IL an error in Daley's 1st half 2007 campaign disclosure? Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission Lawyer Search http://www.iardc.org/lawyersearch.asp
Thats great, One of the board members(enrico mirabelli) deciding if I should get my job back, donates money to the guy(Mayor) that fired me. Thats $8000,000.00 dollars of the taxpayers money will spent.
I find it extremely odd that, given the supposed highly skilled nature of the many investigative reporters, working for the many print and television corporations that 'serve' this region, you'd think that at least ONE of these highly skilled and professionally trained investigative reporters would be able to have discovered what our own commenter Hugh has discovered. Namely, that there's something rotten in EVERY aspect of our city, county and state governments. Namely, that our election processes are chocked full of fraud and corruptions. Namely, that our state and federal Constitutional Rights are being violated EVERY election. Namely, that they, the so-called journalists, the historical '4th Estate', the presumed 'protectors' of the public's 'right to know', have failed to live up to their own self-touted responsibilities. Are there no end to the lies and liars?
HOW MUCH DO THE HEARING OFFICERS MAKE Edna Turkington, Roger Balla, Joseph Chico and other DALEY appointed Hearing officers. Former circuit court judge -- now Human Resources board Hearing Edna Turkinton has a very questionable back ground.
You're being too kind and too generous. Reporters are merely the paid whores of the paid whore media corporations. And the public, well, the public are like well-beaten slaves, eager to please their masters, bereft of any thoughts of even the existence of freedom, let alone the possibility of same. And yet, maybe, just maybe, the sheeple might remember they were born people, they are still capable of exerting the meager amount of effort required to: REGISTER TO VOTE SHOW UP ON ELECTION DAY HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT Maybe?
file under small world Mirabelli is atty to exotic dancer turned gold digger Tyna Robertson, Brian Urlacher's baby-momma http://www.npmfamlaw.com/secondary.html
HOW MUCH DO THE HEARING OFFICERS MAKE if as you say they are contractors they are paid out of HR Dept. budget line 2005.0140 FOR PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL SERVICES AND OTHER THIRD PARTY BENEFIT AGREEMENT $608,852.00 budgeted for 2007
Do you have any information ,regarding hearing officer Edna turkington. I know she has always received a rating og unqualified by bar associations. Also she had a questionable indiscreation with a Chicago Police Detective while sitting on the bench?
Orion is like a two dollar whore, or ho for DALEY. Now lets get to serious matters. Did see, the City was incapable of providing water to marathon runners Sunday. If we are unable to manage the Chicago Marathon how in the hell are we going to host the olypmics
