The Cook County sheriff's office begins taking applications today for 350 corrections officer jobs, but only veterans and reservists who have recently been released from active duty can apply.
Concerned after reading a Chicago Sun-Times series that detailed how young Illinois veterans are having difficulty finding work, Sheriff Mike Sheahan ordered his staff to open hiring to new veterans and reservists returning from active duty.
"Some of those stories I read -- I can't believe that these kids fight for the country and they come back and there's not an opportunity for them," Sheahan said. "I thought: Why don't we reach out?"
The sheriff's office usually offers applications only once a year in November. But Sheahan consulted with his merit board and decided to open applications today for those who were on active duty between November 2004 and November 2005 and unavailable to apply for jail jobs at the time.
"The military people make good law enforcement people," explained Sheahan. "We're a semi-military organization. Military people know how to take an order and a command. They know the structure. They're used to structure. They have the same rankings as we do, and they turn out to be good employees."
ILLINOIS RANKS LAST IN AIDING VETS
Also, "When you're looking to hire someone in law enforcement, you want someone who has weapons training," said Bill Cunningham, department spokesman.
The Sun-Times reported that the U.S. Labor Department ranks Illinois last in its ability to help veterans get jobs and that many veterans in Illinois complain they have been fired or laid off after they are deployed.
Starting pay for a Cook County corrections officer is $39,000. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, pass a written test -- much like a civil service test -- and pass a physical fitness test.
Many Cook County corrections officers go on to work for the Chicago Police or suburban forces.
Those who applied for corrections jobs in November are currently being tested and will be added to the pool of acceptable candidates of which veterans will get first preference.
The jail is under a federal judge's order to hire more officers. Cunningham said it expects to hire more than 800 within three years.
Veterans and reservists with honorable discharge papers that list active duty between November 2004 and November 2005 can pick up applications at the Sheriff's Merit Board, 69 W. Washington, Room 1100.
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