Cook County could pay $3.2 million to settle patronage scam claims

Overpaidgoverment Worker has a Chicago Tribune story:

Cook County taxpayers face a $3.2 million tab to settle the claims of more than 100 people who were illegally denied county jobs or promotions because of politics, a federal hiring monitor and county officials confirmed Tuesday.

County Board President Todd Stroger supports the proposed awards, which commissioners were expected to vote on at Wednesday's board meeting.

Legally challenging the awards could prove even more costly and interfere with the county's goal of ending federal court supervision of its hiring practices by spring, Assistant State's Atty. Patrick Driscoll Jr. told county commissioners in a letter recommending approval.

No word yet from the Obama campaign on this one since Obama is a big supporter of the Cook County Democratic Machine.