Chicago has openings for two good men or women

CHICAGO

Thu Feb 18, 2010

5:11pm EST     

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Help wanted: registered voter with a conscience for position on the Chicago City Council. Salary $110,556 a year. Ex-felons need not apply.

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley decided to take a different approach to fill two vacancies on the city's 50-member city council, posting a notice on the city's website listing qualifications for the job.

Candidates should be registered voters, have lived in the ward for a least a year and provide three letters of recommendation attesting to their community involvement. No current politicians, tax delinquents or anyone convicted of any "infamous crime, bribery, perjury or other felony" need apply.

One vacancy was created when the previous office-holder pleaded guilty to illegally accepting favors from a developer.

The aldermanic appointments will be the mayor's 34th and 35th, and he has indicated he is fed up with the high rate of malfeasance in the council.

"You've got to start somewhere," Daley spokesman Lance Lewis said. "We want to encourage residents who are interested to apply."