Chicago's Patronage Operation Lives on: ''Clout Kids''

Fox News Chicago reports:

A Fox News Chicago investigation into seasonal employment at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago found that many of their summer jobs are going to children of politicians, city and county officials and full-time employees of the District.

With the economy hurting and employment at a premium, Better Government Association President Jay Stewart says those jobs should be available to the children of all taxpayers. "You get these politicians saying we need a summer jobs program," Stewart said. "For who? Them or everybody else?"

The Fox News investigation found ten children of seven Chicago aldermen landed summer jobs at the Water Reclamation District. The aldermen include Tom Allen, Carrie Austin, Ike Carothers, Pat Levar, Patrick O'Connor, Frank Olivo and Eugene Schulter.

When questioned how his two sons and a nephew got the jobs, Alderman Levar denied clout played a role, saying they simply applied for the jobs. "I don't have any influence anymore," said Levar. "(I'm) just an alderman for 21 years, (Democratic) ward committeeman for a year... They applied for a job, they got it."

In addition, Fox News found sons and daughters of various state lawmakers, City of Chicago, Cook County and Forest Preserve officials with summer jobs at the District.

In April, Fox News watched as a Better Government Association intern tried to apply for a summer job at the Water Reclamation District. Tim Bearden went to the District's website and found no mention of summer jobs. He also called the district and left a message with the personnel department inquiring about a summer job. He never received a call back.

District Superintendent Richard Lanyon says most of the summer hires come at the recommendation of the District's eight Commissioners and Board President Terrence O'Brien. Lanyon says there is no need to advertise or publicize the summer jobs because Commissioners spend a great deal of time in the community.

But when questioned whether the practice is fair to all taxpayers, including those who don't know or have no contact with a commissioner, Lanyon said it would be too much of a burden to open up the process.

"To go through an unnecessary process, to sift through a lot of applications" would be too time-consuming, Lanyon says. "They (those who don't get the jobs) don't take the opportunity to make the contacts they should."

We wonder if this is a violation of federal law for running a patronage operation?