Judge Lifts Federal Oversight On Chicago Hiring

A U.S. district judge has agreed to lift federal oversight of whether Chicago hiring practices are corrupted by political favoritism.

Monday's historic ruling means the court accepts that the nation's third-largest city now has mechanisms in place to stamp out illegal patronage.
 
The decision comes nearly a half century after lawyer Michael Shakman launched his attack on Chicago's age-old practice of hiring based on who you know and not on what you know.
 
In a motion last month asking for the ruling ending the federal oversight, Shakman praised Mayor Emanuel's administration for largely complying with bans on doling out jobs based on political connections.
 
Shakman first took on the practice during Mayor Richard J. Daley time in office. The legendary mayor used his patronage to help cement his unrivaled power.