ChicagoClout

Posted by at 7:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Pease read Mark Brown's article on the punishment of a Chicago City Worker. As a Chicago City Worker, I will explain what really happened. A politician and candidate for Cook Country States Attorney parked her car illegally. She was at a political event. She is a lawyer and knows the law does not provide for the poor and unprotected. She got her car towed. Her political friends that protect each other, win or lose made the call for her car. The tow was a "mistake" because she is more important than the average taxpayer. The call was made to high ranking political city employees that know they need to break the rules because of the possible political backlash if they refuse a favor. The tow truck driver is blamed. He panics because of the impending punishment, and needing to make a payment on his bills he is behind on, tries to get some help from someone that just got a big favor. Remember when you were a child and got in trouble, you sometimes get in more trouble trying to get out of trouble. Well Pete Paglivco has no power and realized the power of Anita Alvarez and his bosses. Just to make the matters worse, they are going to attack Pete with the Chicago Inspector General. The Inspector General hoping to make a good impression on the inevitable new States Attorney should make a hell of an example of Pete Pagliuco. And the politicians will not need to remind the new States Attorney of the Chicago Political Culture. It is about the favors and privilege. And Mark Brown could had gave them hell, but gave Anita an out. Inspect the favors given to Anita, Mr. Hoffman!!! Patrick McDonough Tow driver sheds light on clout He compounded his own error, but tale shows how city works February 27, 2008 BY MARK BROWN Sun-Times Columnist Pete Pagliuco, a city tow-truck driver, spotted a Buick SUV just before 8 a.m. on Dec. 12 that had been ticketed by police for illegally parking in a rush-hour tow zone at Clark and Armitage. He put it on the hook and took it to the pound. Unbeknownst to Pagliuco, the car belonged to Anita Alvarez, the Democratic nominee for Cook County state's attorney who at the time was just one of six candidates running in the primary. Before that day was done, Alvarez would get her car back at no charge and Pagliuco would be on his way to a costly 15-day suspension from work, later reduced to seven days. The story is much more complicated, but Pagliuco can't get past those essential elements. He doesn't think it's fair, which is why he complained to me. When you hear the whole story, you may agree with him or decide the outcome was entirely reasonable. Either way, you will have received another valuable lesson in how the City that Works works. Honest mistake? Pagliuco's mistake, as best I can tell, wasn't so much that he towed the wrong car as that he allowed the wrong car to get lost in the bureaucratic shuffle at the city's central auto pound -- a problem that may be familiar to other Chicago motorists. What might be less familiar to the average citizen is how far the city went to rectify the situation. You see, when Pagliuco delivered Alvarez's car to the pound that morning, he failed to make sure it had been properly inventoried before he parked it in the lot and headed back out for another tow. Pagliuco says it was an honest mistake resulting from a backup of cars waiting to be inventoried and the pressure he felt to return to the street to meet his daily quota of 10 tows -- an unwritten standard that the city denies but is nevertheless well known among its tow drivers. The city says Pagliuco's mistake was caused by him socializing at the pound instead of concentrating on business. The result was that when Alvarez emerged from a morning breakfast meeting, her car was gone, and the city had no record of it being towed. It would take nearly the entire work day for the city to discover its mistake. By then, after about eight hours of worrying and searching, Alvarez had contacted police to report the car stolen. That's why city officials say they apologized and gave her the car at no charge, which even Pagliuco concedes took place despite protestations from Alvarez that she would gladly pay and wanted no special treatment. She also later paid her parking ticket, so I'm casting no blame in her direction, and for that matter, neither is he. Alderman steps in In fact, there's no evidence Streets and San officials were particularly concerned about Alvarez's plight at all until they received a call about 3 p.m. from Ald. Tom Allen (38th), one of her opponents. Alvarez had run into Allen at a campaign event and mentioned her missing auto. He tried to use his contacts to help. The story of looking for Alvarez's car was laid out in a two-page memo prepared that day by Steve Sorfleet, acting deputy commissioner of Streets and Sanitation, apparently in anticipation of disciplining Pagliuco. Sorfleet details how he first checked the car's license and VIN in the city computer system, then started calling the various auto pounds. He contacted the chief equipment dispatcher and asked him to check for any record of a request to tow the vehicle, then called Chief Auto Pound Supervisor John Rachmaciej to make inquiries at the central pound. Finally, he ordered Rachmaciej and acting assistant general superintendent Ron Calderone to go to the location where the car was last seen to determine if it had been relocated. It was only then that Sorfleet received a call from the chief equipment dispatcher informing him the vehicle had been found at the pound during the afternoon shift change by someone performing their regularly scheduled yard inventory. Sorfleet said he instructed the pound supervisor not to charge Alvarez for the tow and to have a supervisor escort her to her car. He sent Rachmaciej to personally apologize. Nice treatment, if you can get it I keep remembering how others have reported less courteous treatment at the pound. When he contacted me, unfortunately, Pagliuco left out one important part of the story: how he later went to Alvarez's River Forest home and left a restaurant gift card with her baby-sitter along with a request to intervene with his supervisors about the suspension. Alvarez made him take the card back. Now that Pagliuco has heated up the incident again, the department has asked the inspector general to investigate. I hope they go easy on him. I don't want the lesson to be: Never call the newspapers.

Posted by at 6:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

On January of 2007, lawyers from the City of Chicago railed against a Building Inspector for leaving jobsite a "Menace to the public". I was at the hearing of Charles Walker, the City of Chicago lawyers spoke with great passion about the horrible job by Charles Walker when he inspected the property at 937 West Belmont. They went to the site and condemned Charles Walker. Charles Walker was an easy hit because a child died after a prior inspection, a girl fell through a porch rail. I guess Charles Walker should have tested every rail on a building he inspected. This expectation is completely ridicules and unreasonable. If you want to prosecute Mr. Walker, than the Lawyers for the Chicago Corporation Counsel need to be terminated also. Mr. Inspector General, please fire Angela Thomas and Anna D'Ascenzo, the lawyers that insisted termination is the fair price. Under oath they went to the site on 937 West Belmont and made the case the building needed repairs immediately. They and others in the Building Department swore under oath Charles Walker put Chicago Citizens life on the line. Now that the smoke is settled and a year has passed by, why is this building, which is in worse condition than before, still not repaired? Why has the City of Chicago done nothing about the 311 complaints filed by the CTA employees next to this building? The view when Charles went to the site was blocked by tarps, now it wide open. I suggest Charles Walker's case was fixed, what do you think? Photo by Patrick McDonough on 2/23/2008

Posted by at 9:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

This morning, the Chicago Department of Water Management Central District lost one of its most valuable assets, James Stroden. James Stroden had a wonderful table of donuts, bagels; loyal employees were sad and upset at his transfer to the South District. The Central District oversees some of the most critical real estate in the City of Chicago, including Chicago's Downtown. I am concerned when an employee that has the commanding respect, admiration, and loyalty from employees, changes command to a less important battlefield. I know when James Stroden ordered you to an assignment his intentions were honorable. When you brought an issue or concern to his attention, you would get a straight answer, like it or not. I only remember one employee that had a gripe with him, but the disagreement was treated with utmost respect and resolved. I admit he is a great leader and a wonderful family man, maybe he should move out of the 11th Ward. (Joking) Good luck and God Speed Mr. James Stroden. Patrick McDonough

Posted by at 7:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Note to Mark Brown, Mark would you pull this prank?, I think not.. Watch this video http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-kass_21feb21,0,7476834.column Think we can get Mark Brown to pull a couple of stunts like this? Patrick McDonough

Posted by at 7:31 PM | Permalink

Chicago Plumbing Inspector Michael McGann hired Frank Avila Jr. as his lawyer. What is Plumber's Local 130 doing about this unfair punishment? The shameful treatment to a professional Chicago employee doing the right thing needs further investigation. Chicago Sun-Times superstar Fran Spielman hits the nail on the head. JONATHON BRANDMEIER attempted to contact Michael McGann, but this is not a joke. Chicago school children deserve clean drinking water like the rich white kids. Read Fran Spielman's take below, Patrick McDonough Whistleblower suspended 18 days CITY | Plumbing inspector punished after reporting on violations at school February 19, 2008 BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter An $85,068-a-year Chicago plumbing inspector who uncovered two pages of building-code violations that left 1,100 children at Jose de Diego Community Academy without water for weeks has been hit with back-to-back suspensions of three and 15 days. Michael McGann said Monday the actions are in retaliation for his faxing a copy of his inspection report to the school's principal, talking with a Chicago Sun-Times reporter about the threat of disciplinary action and cooperating with an inspector general's investigation into what McGann calls "a rash of" substandard cast-iron pipe being used on city jobs. The Sun-Times reported in late November that McGann faced disciplinary action for violating internal rules that prohibit preliminary inspection reports from being shared with outsiders until they're officially approved. McGann said he gave the Oct. 24 report to de Diego principal Alice Vera so she could use the information to expedite repairs that had languished for weeks at the 116-year-old school at 1313 N. Claremont. On Jan. 18, McGann was told he was being suspended for three days. McGann said he pulled out a tape recorder because, "I wanted a record of the event -- who was saying what, who was issuing what." The inspector said he served his suspension even as he filed an appeal with the same officials who suspended him. Then, on Friday, he was hit with another suspension, this time for 15 days. Among other things, he was accused of "borderline insubordination" for taping the earlier meeting. Found E. coli "They're trying to get rid of me because I'm honest, and I'm exposing corruption," McGann said. "They were totally disregarding the health and safety of students in that school, using plumbing contractors they want to put Band-Aids on it. Eighty days after the water main broke, I showed up and found E. coli bacteria in three different locations. There was still contaminated drinking water in that school. They had a full kitchen and swimming pool they couldn't use." Building Department spokesman Bill McCaffrey said McGann "is not being punished for sending that report out," nor is he being targeted for blowing the whistle on alleged wrongdoing.

Posted by at 6:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

In the old days, all Chicago peasants were scared to make fun of our leader and mob boss Mare Daley. Enjoy this funny video http://www.jibjab.com/sendables/view/W8L7w6GrSh6OHfTNBMQZ99t8 Charles, quit upstaging Deep Water. Patrick McDonough

Posted by at 8:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Plumber's Local 130 and the Plumbing Council of Chicagoland picked a pretty polish girl from Park Ridge, Illinois to become the Chicago Saint Patrick's Queen for 2008. Eileen Kapolnek looked very nice. She accepted the crown from Julie Ann Venci, the Italian winner from last year. In fairness to the girls, James Sullivan should not allow the ladies younger than 21 to enter since they have no chance to win. The contest is great for a young lady that is not 100% Irish to enter. Photo by Patrick McDonough.

Posted by at 6:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)

2 die in Chicago fires Tribune staff report February 18, 2008 CHICAGO Two people died in separate fires in Chicago over the weekend, fire officials said. On Saturday, a fire broke out about 10 a.m. in a three-story apartment building in the 800 block of West Barry Avenue in the Lakeview neighborhood. The fire started in the second-floor apartment, and it spread partially to the third floor and the rear porches of an adjacent building before being put out, Chicago Fire Department spokesman Kevin MacGregor said. Ryan Welch, 23, was found in a bedroom on the second floor and was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 10:44 a.m. Two other residents in the building were injured and were treated at the scene. The fire is under investigation, MacGregor said. Another fire killed one woman and critically injured another Sunday evening at a home in the Roseland neighborhood. The fire broke out in a basement bedroom of a single-family residence in the 10100 block of South Princeton Avenue, MacGregor said. Firefighters were able to put out the blaze in minutes, he said, but two women were found in the bedroom suffering from severe smoke inhalation. One of the women, who has not yet been identified, was pronounced dead at 6:33 p.m. at Little Company of Mary Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. Another woman was taken to Roseland Community Hospital in critical condition. The building had smoke detectors on the first floor, but it was not clear if there were any in the basement, MacGregor said. The fire is under investigation.

Posted by at 5:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I love to give credit when someone comes up with a Mayor Daley and Jody Weis video that is very funny, enjoy http://www.jibjab.com/sendables/view/1HeSP41IYnh1lCSkYd0b53Kt Enjoy a good laugh, Patrick McDonough

Posted by at 4:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I like this picture of three major movers and shakers in Chicago Politics. These men have done quite a bit to make Chicago better. Photo by Patrick McDonough.

Posted by at 9:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I really enjoyed the St. Patrick's Day Queen contest at Plumber's Local 130 Hall today. I met a stunning beauty that was very nice to my family. Laura Cowen has a wonderful husband and I met two of their children. Laura Cowen was the winner of the Chicago Saint Patrick's Day Contest a few years back. Laura's daughter could be a St. Patrick's day Queen in the future. Laura is pictured with Sarah McDonough the official winner of Chicago Clout's Saint Patrick's Day Queen. Heck, I own the Website, I will pick a beauty.

Posted by at 7:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

It is not so bad, Mayor Daley.

Posted by at 9:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Please purchase the book here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1434362809/ref=cm_rdp_product I hope all Chicago Taxpayers can forgive James Laski. In the Chicago Sun-Times story, James Laski said he was getting his morning coffee and saw the headlines "PAID TO DO NOTHING"., the story of the Mayor Daley's "Hired Truck Scandal". That Headline was organized by Patrick McDonough, Mark Brown, and Tim Novak. I am the Whistleblower referred to as "Deep Water". Again, I am proud of my part in this major story. I actually set up that day that exploded the scandal. That day, the workers on that jobsite were later subject to punishment by the Chicago Water Department Management. Did you know the workers were never allowed a legal appeal? I hope those in the North District leadership know they have just been included in new lawsuits and investigations. Some of these men might lose their pensions after working for the Department of Water management over thirty years. Buy this book. Patrick McDonough.

Posted by at 5:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Patrick Daley serves in the U.S. Army after serving himself to Chicago Taxpayer loot. Look if you think Mayor Daley is not aware of the contracts and deals, you missed a movie that depicts the Daley Administration, it is called "The Godfather". Patrick McDonough Hidden in the sewers tracking the daleys | Mayor's son, nephew had another government deal -- for $200,000 with Water Reclamation District February 14, 2008 BY TIM NOVAK During the year that Mayor Daley's son had a hidden ownership stake in a sewer company, the business not only landed lucrative deals at City Hall, it also got work from another local government -- the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Records show the Water Reclamation District paid the company, Municipal Sewer Services, more than $200,000 to inspect sewers under a contract awarded in 2004. At the time, the agency's top administrator was John Farnan, a longtime member of the 11th Ward Democratic organization run by the mayor's brother, Cook County Commissioner John Daley. Farnan, who has since retired, did not return calls seeking comment. RELATED PDF 07/03: Patrick Daley signed a lease on behalf of Municipal Sewer Services 02/04: Company files ownership disclosure statement without P. Daley and R. Vanecko 03/04: Copmany fails to name owners to Water Reclamation District Water Reclamation District officials say they didn't know the mayor's son, Patrick, and nephew, Robert Vanecko, owned 5 percent of the company, whose biggest customer was City Hall. Neither man's name was listed in contract documents obtained from the Water Reclamation District, the agency that treats sewage in Cook County. But the papers do contain the name MSS Investors LLC, a company the Sun-Times previously reported was owned by Patrick Daley and Robert Vanecko. "I didn't see the Daley name on any of the disclosure statements,'' said Richard Lanyon, the district's general superintendent, who replaced Farnan. "That's the only thing we have, unless one of the commissioners knew he was involved with that company." Two of the district's elected commissioners -- President Terrence J. O'Brien and Finance Chairman Gloria Alitto Majewski -- said they approved the contract but never knew the mayor's son was involved. Mayor Daley had a similar reaction two months ago, when the Sun-Times exposed his son's hidden interest in the company and that it got millions of dollars in work from the city. That report prompted an investigation by the city's inspector general that is ongoing. Under its contracts with the city and with the Water Reclamation District, Municipal Sewer Services was required to disclose the company's owners. But what the company told the city about its ownership, in papers filed Feb. 24, 2004, was different from what it told the Water Reclamation District about a month later. And Patrick Daley and Vanecko's names are omitted from both documents, even though they were owners. In a phone call, Anthony Duffy, who was president of Municipal Sewer Services at the time, declined to explain why he filed two different ownership forms, saying, "I understand there is an investigation being carried out." Duffy is no longer with Municipal Sewer Services. A company spokesman said the Water Reclamation District filing was correct, adding: "That said, we are currently reviewing everything related to the company's work on behalf of the city of Chicago. Out of respect to that effort and the efforts of the city of Chicago's inspector general, it would not be appropriate to address any details regarding past contracts at this time." Duffy and majority owners Robert Bobb and Joseph McInerney created Municipal Sewer Services in 2003, buying a bankrupt company and taking over its two expiring contracts to inspect city sewers with video equipment. The mayor's son and nephew were original investors, the Sun-Times has reported. Rather than seek new bids, City Hall extended the contracts for a year -- extensions worth $3 million to Municipal Sewer Services. The company got the Water Reclamation District contract a few months later. Patrick Daley and Vanecko left the company after about a year, amid the federal investigation of the city's Hired Truck Program. One of the trucking companies hired by the city also was a subcontractor for the sewer company. Municipal Sewer Services still does business with the city and the Water Reclamation District. Shortly after cashing out, Patrick Daley enlisted in the Army. Still in the Army, he couldn't be reached for comment. A spokesman for Vanecko said he knew nothing about the water reclamation contract. Mayoral press secretary Jacquelyn Heard said, "The mayor's response has not changed since he last told you that he wasn't aware of his son's investment, and he wishes his son had made wiser choices." OMITTED • *July 2003: Patrick Daley signed a lease on behalf of Municipal Sewer Services. • *February 2004: The company filed an ownership disclosure statement with the city of Chicago that failed to include Patrick Daley and Robert Vanecko. • *March 2004: The company told the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District that its owners included MSS Investors LLC without naming its owners -- Patrick Daley and Robert Vanecko.

Posted by at 6:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

The Chicago Department of Building needs more professional city employees/whistleblowers to come forward and help clean up this mess. There is a major problem with gambling by the leadership. This habit compromises the integrity of the department. Read more below, much more to come. Patrick McDonough. Former Chicago city inspector sentenced to 3 months in prison for accepting bribe Tribune staff report February 12, 2008 CHICAGO - A federal judge sentenced a former city inspector Monday to 3 months in prison and 7 months of home confinement but warned that bribery was a serious offense. "I don't want you leaving this room just thinking this was a minor occurrence," U.S. District Judge Charles Norgle told Miguel Diaz, a 10-year city employee who was forced to resign. Diaz has been incarcerated in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown Chicago since mid-November, meaning he is expected to be released to home confinement soon. Diaz, who pleaded guilty in October, was among several city employees snared by David Johnson, another city inspector who worked undercover for law enforcement.

Posted by at 6:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I am in a manhole (valve basin) I bet you would love this gravy job right? My computer system has been down for a while and some major legal filings are on the way. Remember to apply for a job at the City of Chicago, e-mail me for help. Patrick McDonough

Posted by at 12:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

When you serve in a legislative body run by an absolute control freak, any dissension is deemed traitorous. And, while I hate to say it, Ald. Stone made a pretty good point...

Posted by at 5:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (18)

The airplane traffic at O'Hare Airport slows to a crawl as soon as a few snowflakes fall. Chicago's O'Hare Airport is a disgrace and Mayor Daley should clean up the waste of money. On a positive note, I was impressed to see Mayor Daley's Hired Trucks moving the snow to mounds at the south side of the Airport. Hired Trucks roll, planes do not. I hope the teamsters are checking for membership cards. I hope the workers are paid prevailing wage. Maybe they get paid by the load like Tadin's boyz. O'Hare Airport should be avoided at all costs. Patrick McDonough

Posted by at 6:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC) had Commissioner Positions on the ballot February 5, 2008. When I voted yesterday, my neighbors let me know Jan Schakowsky was pushing a candidate other than Commissioner Frank Avila. I wish to thank Alex Armour for returning my call. Sarah Gersten of Jan's staff informed me Jan backed Mariyana Spyropoulos and Dean Maragos. I am wondering why Jan did not support the reelection of Commissioner Frank Avila? Commissioner Frank Avila was the top vote recipient in the category. I cannot tell how happy I am, Commissioner Frank Avila returning back to provide leadership at the district. I think we should give much of the credit to his son, Attorney Frank Avila. Thank you for all the good clean shows for children on the Environment, the Avila Family should rejoice in this victory. Patrick McDonough

Posted by at 5:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

These are my election Judges in the 48th Ward. They were all very nice and made sure everything was on the up and up. Chicago needs to make sure every vote counts. I hope you voted. Photo by Patrick McDonough

Posted by at 7:52 PM | Permalink

Guys, stand one hundred feet away, you know, by the Massage Parlor. The Chicago Board of Elections needs to tell everyone, including the Polling Place at 5639 North Milwaukee, to leave people alone when they vote. P.S. when I reported this to the Chicago Election Judge, he got out and made sure the guys were gone. Chicago needs to clean up the elections. Photo by Patrick McDonough

Posted by at 7:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Handing out literature and/or political activity is not allowed within 100 foot of a polling site. Alderman Patrick "Phat" Levar should take a second look at these massage parlors. Remember Pat "Phat" Levar's promised to clean up the blight of massage parlors on Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago's 45th Ward. I was happy to see an improvement in the Laurino polling places, especially the one on Elston Avenue. I love this Board of Election cone. I wish someone would ask Mayor Daley his opinion on Chicago Massage Parlors. Photo by Patrick McDonough. City Closes Prostitution Loopholes (February 7, 2007) The Chicago City Council today adopted an ordinance introduced by Ald. Patrick Levar (45th) that strengthens the Municipal Code making it harder for massage parlor establishments to act as "fronts" for prostitution, money laundering and human trafficking. Among the changes, the ordinance requires massage establishment owners to maintain business records, which include customer names and addresses, and have them available for inspection. It requires owners to maintain on site copies of any therapist's state license and state-issued photo identification. Non-licensed personnel are prohibited from being in a massage room with a customer unless a licensed therapist is present. "For too long illicit massage parlor owners have flaunted the law with loopholes and spread blight over decent neighborhoods in the City of Chicago," said Ald. Levar. "This ordinance will close loopholes, help to rid our communities of illicit massage parlors and protect property values." A massage establishment owner is held strictly liable by the ordinance for violations committed by any employee or independent contractor. When a massage establishment license is revoked for cause, the ordinance allows the city to revoke the massage license of any other premises in the city owned by the licensee. The ordinance was introduced by Ald. Levar after having to work months before successfully closing the VIP Salon and Spa, 4422 N. Milwaukee Ave., in his ward despite numerous prostitution arrests and pending court cases. "We are firm believers in due process, but more than two dozen continuances in a little over a year attempt to make a mockery of our court system," said Ald. Levar about the city's battle with defense attorneys for the massage parlor. Ald. Levar was first elected to represent the 45th Ward on the city's northwest side in 1987. He is chairman of the Chicago City Council Committee on Aviation.

Posted by at 6:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

In a conflict of interest, two Chicago City Workers, were installing plumbing and carpentry at 5969 West Superior today. Work was in progress at 3:45 p.m. Chicago's best and only Inspector General asked the Plumber and the Laborer employed by the Department of Water Management Central District, why were they doing a side job? The Inspector looked for the permit and could not find one. I am concerned when the Plumber said to me, "What are you doing here?". "You must live in Oak Park, right over there", said the Plumber. Just when you thought the North District boyz did all the side jobs, this pops up. What was I doing in Oak Park today? Patrick McDonough.

Posted by at 9:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Read an excellent article by Fran Spielman of the Chicago Sun-Times. Daley hiring chief quits February 1, 2008 BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter The top mayoral aide charged with implementing a city hiring system free of politics is leaving her $147,156-a-year job -- six weeks after a federal hiring monitor accused the city of regressing in its efforts. Jacqueline King has decided to return to her old job as head of Graphics and Reproduction. Underlings welcomed her departure. City Hall sources said they had chafed under her autocratic management style. Jacqueline King in 2006. King ordered 50 employees to reapply for their old jobs -- or risk being fired -- in a reorganization tied to the switch to computerized scoring and screening of job applicants. Employees told the Chicago Sun-Times they felt "stunned and betrayed" after learning of their fate on the Internet site Craigslist. "Without a doubt, she was a tough manager. There are people who don't like that. There are a lot of people who disagree with her management style and they'd like you to believe she was run out of there," said mayoral press secretary Jacquelyn Heard. "I can tell you unequivocally she was not asked or forced to leave. This is her decision. She's tired of doing what she's been doing and she wants to go back to Graphics." King could not be reached for comment. Heard denied that the change was tied to the monitor's report--or that it was a setback in the city's efforts to move beyond the city hiring scandal. "If you read the monitor's last report, it had nothing bad to say about Jacky King," she said. Federal monitor Noelle Brennan could not be reached for comment. In her year-end report, Brennan accused the city of slipping backward -- not with the "wholesale overt manipulation of interviews" on display during the federal corruption trial that culminated in the conviction of former patronage chief Robert Sorich, but with "other, more subtle types of manipulation of the hiring process." Brennan said the alleged violations she uncovered in response to 685 complaints ran the gamut -- from "hundreds" of city employees illegally "acting up" in higher-paid, temporary positions to the city's failure to "meaningfully enforce consequences for non-compliance." The monitor branded as "an area of significant concern" Daley's failure to discipline current city employees "directly implicated in Shakman violations" during testimony at the Sorich trial. "The city's ongoing failure to effectively monitor compliance with the reformed policy, coupled with the failure to take any disciplinary action when violations occur, is certain to result in on-going violations," she wrote. A few weeks later, the federal judge who appointed Brennan agreed to let the Daley-created Office of Compliance oversee city hiring after Brennan's departure, instead of Inspector General David Hoffman. But U.S. District Judge Wayne Andersen included two major safeguards: that the hiring czar not be a current or former city employee and have no ties to Chicago politics, and that the city maintain a log to keep track of the times when the mayor's office or politicians lobby department heads for jobs. The city has agreed to create a $12 million fund to compensate victims of the city's rigged hiring system. Well written Fran Spielman, Patrick McDonough

Posted by at 3:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)