Elk Grove job program unfair to some, Schaumburg residents says

Richard Swets wants one of those Elk Grove Village stimulus program jobs but doesn't think he has a chance.

He's from Schaumburg, and Elk Grove is giving preference to its residents first.

Village President Craig Johnson stands by the policy and said three dozen interested people showed up at village hall the day after he announced the new program this week.

"It's our community tax dollars," Johnson said. "We can prefer people who live in Elk Grove but can't require it. There is a need for this in our community."

Recently, more than 600 people applied for a janitor job the village posted, which spurred Johnson to start the program.

He announced that the village will provide 23 temporary jobs at $10.50 an hour to people with five years of experience in construction or related fields.

Swets, a self-employed electrician, said giving preference to Elk Grove residents is just a way to exclude nonresidents altogether. He said he plans to file a complaint with the Illinois Department of Human Rights.

"I think it's wrong. I live three miles from Elk Grove Village, but because I don't live in the village, I'll have my application filed you-know-where," he said.

Swets said as recently as two years ago, a supervising electrician like himself could command up to $70 an hour. But in the last six months, his work has all but completely dried up.

Now, "I'm just looking to do anything for $10.50 an hour," he said. "I'll scrub floors with a toothbrush."

Susan Hofer, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Human Rights, understands Swets' struggle, but said residency is not a protected class.

"There are cities across the state like Chicago and Rockford that require you live there for government jobs," she said. "In fact, we give Elk Grove a gold star for their program."

Those who are hired in the so-called Elk Grove Stimulus Temporary Employment Program will work two days a week for up to 15 weeks, assisting the public works department with new and ongoing projects associated with the transition to the new village hall, as well as seasonal work that runs through fall.

It will not affect a person's unemployment compensation, but the jobs also provide no benefits.

The program is funded by a one-time $60,000 transfer from the village's general operating fund.

For more information, contact the village's human resources office at (847) 357-4020.

• Staff Writer Diana Wallace contributed to this report.