From the dailynorthwestern.com:
Aldermen at Monday’s City Council meeting approved an expansion of the city’s employment opportunities fund, allowing low-income firefighter applicants to be reimbursed for application and testing fees.
Reimbursements will come from a reserve account of deposits collected from construction companies that violate the city’s Local Employment Program — which requires that at least 25 percent of the company’s labor force consist of women, minorities, or area residents.
Evanston Fire Chief Brian Scott said the change will help the Evanston Fire Department diversify its force by eliminating a potential cost barrier: Application fees are roughly $25 and the physical agility test costs between $165 and $175. Applicants may receive up to $200 from the fund. Aldermen want to change how the fund works so that it can become a direct payment to the institution, instead of a reimbursement. This would prevent residents from having to come up with the funds while waiting for reimbursement.
In the past, the pool was only available for union construction workers looking to be reimbursed for certificate training programs. The deposits currently total around $80,000.
thanks Dan
