Posted on 10/08/2013 11:15:56 AM PDT by magellan
Illinoisans with a felony on their records will no longer be asked about their criminal past when they apply for state jobs.
Promoting the decision to what he calls "Ban the Box," State Rep. LaShawn K. Ford (D-Chicago) says the governor's administrative order doesn't mean private employers will be required to hire ex-cons. It simply means applications for state government jobs will no longer include a box indicating whether an applicant has pled guilty, or been convicted of a criminal offense, other than a minor traffic violation.
State agencies would still be allowed to conduct background checks, and request information on criminal convictions, but not until later in the process.
"I think that it's important that employers hire the best qualified person that they feel comfortable with for the job," Ford says. "Employers in private (business) or state agencies should never hire a person that appears to not be a fit for the job."
Ford gives an example of someone he knows who would benefit: a retiree who had a pocket knife in his pocket 50 years ago. As for the really bad guys, Ford says they're unlikely to apply for a legitimate job anyway.
As for himself, the lawmaker says he anticipates federal bank fraud charges against him –- unrelated to his service in the General Assembly -– being tossed out of court soon.
I think this law is applicable only to those who address is Chicago...like BHO...
Isn’t a criminal record a positive on your resume’? Probably in Illinois, California, and Democrat Politicians
“You mean Convicted? No, never convicted.”
You’ll just have to use a proxy when making those hiring decisions. If the first name starts with “La...” or “Sha...” or has “...qua...” in it, move on to the next application.
They have an entire wing in the Illinois State Pen for ex-Governors.
You can still ask them about the 6-10 year gap in their resume. So, what were you doing in that time period?
Improper actions are supposed to have consequences. The progressives are all about separating reward/effort as well as actions/consequences.
Can we just outsource our government to somebody with common sense.
Gotta make it easier for ex-con ex-governors to find work once they’re released.
Chicago Illinois = TOILET
I don’t get it, then again he is a liberal. If the State employment office must conduct background checks at some time, then why not do it early on? This seems to be to change nothing while he is attempting to get points from his felon friends and fellow liberals.
He didn't laugh. His eyes got real big and he asked me "What resume did I send you?" in a panicked tone of voice. Turns out he'd received one that was a "yes" for that question. For kiddie porn. On a work machine.
We laughed about it later but you know, if we couldn't ask that question that guy might be my colleague right now. With domain admin privileges. And there wouldn't be anything we could do about it.
ILL-ANNOY does it again. Most corrupt state in the country!
Carrying a pocket knife is a felony?
Doesn’t “state jobs” include some that involve handling money or dealing with kids?
And now the State of Illinois is saying they don’t care if there were any imbezzlement, money fraud, or child abuse convictions by their applicants?
In Illinois, political correctness is about to make life more dangerous for everyone! Wow, this is completely insane!!!
This is priceless. Of course they won't apply. Between what they're making as thugs and what they get from welfare, why would they?
Mich Patriot: “The progressives are all about separating reward/effort as well as actions/consequences.”
What progressives (apparently) fail to grasp is something nearly all of us learn in early childhood. Doing certain things, like putting your hand in fire, hurts. By removing bad consequences for foolish decisions, progressives prevent people from learning from their mistakes.
Unlike some FReepers, I don’t think all progressives have bad motives. I’m sure many of them really want to help people, although I’m not sure they want to work very hard themselves toward that (they’d rather pawn that part off on government). Nevertheless, I think many of them mean well.
Progressives, however, are simply shortsighted. Their policies may work on an individual, micro basis for a time, but they’re an economic and cultural death sentence on the macro level. There are plenty of examples of people’s revolutions, like the USSR, Cuba, and Venezuela. Venezuelans (who are not part of the ruling class) can’t even find enough toilet paper to wipe their asses! That’s where progressive thought leads.
Bottom line: Good intentions are worthless if your ideas don’t work.
I guess that isn’t my bottom line. In the case of convicts, we’re talking about people who have made some very bad choices indeed. It should be noted that nothing prevents progressive businesses from hiring as many convicts as they like. That is their right, but what they want to do is to take away the right of law-abiding business owners to inquire, at least on the initial application, whether or not the applicant is a convicted felon.
Aren’t most of the Governors from this fine state ex cons?
Guess this one is just preparing for life after office.
They will now. Especially for jobs that give them access to personal data.
I know for a fact that fifty years ago, most boys routinely carried pocket knives around. I and many friends used to bring ours to school so that we could play Mumblety Peg during recess.
And of course, sometimes we would just whittle.
Not to mention that I have had one permanently attached to my key chain for years. The only time I remove it is if I'm going to go through airport security.
I believe people should get a second chance.
Second, pending on what the offense was, sure.
6th, 8th, 11th chances? Ehhh...
“but not until later in the process”
So, let’s waste everyone’s time and get him on the payroll, so 90 days later we can provide layoff and unemployment benefits. Then go throught he applicant search process again....
Either the rep is outright lying, or "carrying a pocket knife" is Chicago slang for armed robbery.
Well they are quite behind the times.
In the late 1960’s while working for a defense plant where I had to hold a Security Clearance, the Feds were forcing this plant to give preference to blacks with criminal records over white applicants with a clean record.
No, this is not from the Onion but an actual occurrence at a defense plant near Niagara Falls NY.
Just how much of ones brain has to be removed to become part of the government?
>>Chicago Illinois = TOILET<<
As long as you know what neighborhoods not to go to, and as long as you maintain situational awareness, and as long as you stay under the radar of the police and the government, Chicago is a decent and pretty city. It is also not outrageously expensive. I would rather live here than communist New York City or insane San Francisco.
Yeah, that’ll make things better in Illinois...Geez what a mess.
Sad that your suggested rules for living in one of America’s great cities are the same needed for living in banana republic capitals around the globe.
>>Sad that your suggested rules for living in one of America’s great cities are the same needed for living in banana republic capitals around the globe.<<
Actually, I think my rules are universal. As our police and military men learn, a wise person follows them no matter where he is on this planet. Is there any city or location in the world where it’s a good idea to neglect your situational awareness? Bad stuff can happen anywhere. Ask the unarmed camp kids who, a couple of years ago, were on that Norwegian summer camp island when Anders Breivik showed up with guns. Who would have thought that a Norwegian summer camp island would become a killing ground? Or what about a grade school in obscure and peaceful Newtown, Conn.?
So what is the point of living an honest life then?
Since when is it a job requirement to get a government position and be ethical?
NUTS !
I was mostly focusing on your third proviso: staying below the radar. There are many inferences to be drawn from the rule, none of them good.
>>Sad that your suggested rules for living in one of America’s great cities are the same needed for living in banana republic capitals around the globe<<
And hey, we don’t have crotch rocket gangs. At least not yet.
>>Sad that your suggested rules for living in one of America’s great cities are the same needed for living in banana republic capitals around the globe<<
And hey, we don’t have crotch rocket gangs. At least not yet.
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