Motion: End Federal Oversight Of Chicago Hiring
CHICAGO (AP) -- An attorney who has fought patronage hiring for decades says the city of Chicago is largely in compliance with bans on the practice.
Attorney Michael Shakman has asked a judge to end longstanding federal oversight. The request from Shakman and other parties in a 45-year-old lawsuit came in a motion filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Chicago.
The city has operated under a federal decree, called the Shakman decree, for years. The crusading lawyer sought to decimate the city's entrenched system of awarding jobs in exchange for political favors.
Thursday's motion cites examples of procedures the city has put in place to stamp out the practice of divvying out jobs to the politically well-connected.
The filing adds the city has "acted in good faith to remedy" any violations.
In a statement, Mayor Emanuel says cultivating a professional city government work force is a priority with his administration.
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