Enron didn't have a monopoly like the City of Chicago.If they did, they still might be around.
After years of denying the existence of patronage in a town famous for the practice, the Daley administration on Monday announced an overhaul of city hiring to eliminate political influence and favoritism.
The admission of clout in hiring comes three weeks after federal agents swept into city offices as part of a criminal investigation into allegations of extra pay and promotions given to employees in return for political work.
Also,
Federal prosecutors investigating the scandal-plagued Hired Truck Program have alleged that Donald Tomczak, once the No. 2 official in Water Management, led a patronage army of more than 100 employees who did political work in exchange for jobs, raises and promotions. Prosecutors contended that failing to uphold the provisions of the Shakman decree was one of the ways Tomczak, now under indictment for defrauding the city, breached his employment duties.
In a recent plea agreement, former Water Management official Gerald Wesolowski said department employees who performed political work were rewarded with fatter paychecks by Tomczak. Wesolowski's plea agreement alleged that scores of employees controlled by Tomczak worked on the political campaigns of Daley, Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) and others.
No word yet on banning the City of Chicago residency requirement for Chicago workers.Could General Electic get away with forcing all their workers to live in a certain town??
Chicago Tribune.
