In 1995, the Chicago fire department set a cut-off test score for the firefighters' entrance examination that left out most black firefighters. Now, 16 years later, the Chicago discrimination case looks to be finally resolved as the city agreed to a settlement with the bypassed black candidates.
In the settlement, 111 black candidates who were passed over in 1995 will be given a second chance to become firefighters, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. And the pool of 6,000 African-American candidates from that class year will split $30 million for damages and backpay.
Back in 1995, the entrance exam test scores were disappointingly low for minorities, reports the Sun-Times. The city then established a cut-off score of 89 and hired randomly from the top 1,800 candidates -- who happened to be predominantly white. In a race discrimination lawsuit, the black applicants accused the city of discrimination.
The discrimination lawsuit had stalled for a while as the U.S. Supreme Court weighed in on procedural challenges to the applicants' lawsuit. However, after being given the go-ahead by the high court, the city and the black candidates have both agreed to a resolution to the lawsuit.
In the proposed settlement, which is waiting for court approval, the city will send postcards to all 6,000 bypassed black candidates, reports the Sun-Times. Those who are still interested in becoming firefighters will be entered into a lottery where 750 candidates will be selected. Among these candidates, 111 will be hired. The candidates who are not hired will receive cash awards.
The Chicago fire department was sued for race discrimination for a test given 16 years ago. Finally, the black firefighters will have some justice as the Chicago discrimination case nears its end.
Related Resources:
- Find a Chicago Employment Attorney (FindLaw)
- CFD to add 111 black firefighters (ABC)
- Employer Discrimination (FindLaw)
- Firefighter Lawsuit Against Chicago; Workplace Sex Discrimination (FindLaw's Chicago Employment Law Blog)
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