The continuing judicial assult on patronage
- 1999
- p.54-62
- Jan-Feb
Contrary to the expectations of many, the Supreme Court has not backed away from its assault on patronage practices. It continues to clarify and extend patronage prohibitions. Illinois has the distinction of being the major battleground of reform as the courts use Illinois cases to progressively eliminate patronage practices. The Court's attack on patronage began in Illinois, and the latest decision banning pinstripe patronage is an Illinois case. With its distinction as the home of the last great political machine, Chicago also has the distinction of being the first major city to be under a court-approved and monitored program to ensure the end of its past patronage practices. The author analyzes the progressive erosion of patronage practices with a major focus on Illinois cases. The author also discusses some of the unresolved issues from the court cases and assesses some of the impacts of the court-monitored hiring system on Chicago's personnel function. - Reproduced