Chicago Heights bans hiring of officials’ relatives for city jobs

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Chicago Heights mayor David Gonzalez. | File photo

Updated: March 20, 2012 8:14AM

Relatives of Chicago Heights officials need not waste time applying for any future city job openings.

The city council last week unanimously passed an anti-nepotism rule that bans the hiring of relatives of elected city officials, paid appointed officers and department heads.

City attorney TJ Somer said the law applies to future hires. Current employees and officials are grandfathered in and are exempt, he said.

Mayor David Gonzalez said the measure stems from a personal pledge he made last year when he decided to run for office.

“I’ve never been a believer in hiring relatives to work for me as an elected official or as a department head,” Gonzalez said. “I think it’s only fair that my feelings be put in writing. And then if (anyone wants the law) changed, it should be aldermen that come up here and vote to change it and explain why they want to change it.”

Because of the pledge Gonzalez made to himself, he called for the resignation of his daughter, Leticia, after he was elected mayor in April. She had been a full-time employee in the city building department.

“Part of me kind of tells me she probably voted for my opponent,” Gonzalez said, joking. “But within 30 days of me taking office, she did hand in her resignation because she knew how I felt about it.”