Friday, July 13, 2007

In Chi-Town news: Clout watches the windows

In tonight's episode of As the Toddler Turns on SCUM TV...

From Sun Times:

COUNTY Connected firm gets $35,000 pact to steer employees past closed fire escapes

For weeks, yellow caution tape and warning signs have urged Cook County employees not to use the fire escape windows at the County Building because of renovations.

Apparently that wasn't enough.

Cook County taxpayers are now paying almost $30 an hour for a politically connected security firm to provide guards to watch over the 10 locked windows at the building at 118 N. Clark St., to direct employees to the nearest alternative fire escape "in the event of an emergency."

That means the guards will direct employees to the clearly marked "Emergency Exit" doors nearby.

County officials say the extra precautions are needed as Mark 1 Restoration repairs the fire escape stairs.

Mark 1 hired Digby's Security as "fire guards" under a 12-day, $35,000 contract.
Board President Todd Stroger's office said the "fire guards" are required by the city, but Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford said anyone can do it.

"We only said they needed people to act as fire guards to redirect people if required," he said, adding that the city's "only requirement is a person who will stay at the position and be able to inform people of the correct alternate to use in case of emergency."

A check by the Sun-Times on Wednesday found no one guarding all 10 floors at all times. No guards were spotted during a half-dozen checks of the fifth floor, where Stroger and County Board offices are located.

"This is yet another example of outrageous spending of taxpayer funds by the Stroger administration," Commissioner Tony Peraica said.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

And you have to wonder why they don't think Cook County Employees are smart enough not to go out windows? How many tried to go out the windows anyhow?