CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- There’s a lot of finger-pointing as the Chicago Park District’s lifeguard numbers remain very low and pools are closed.
Some aldermen fault the park district for not recruiting earlier and some think the sexual harassment and assault scandal is a factor.
They also know there’s a national shortage of lifeguards.
It’s unclear how many vacancies there are. Alderman Anthony Beale told the Chicago Sun- Times the number is around 1,600.
However, the Park District has not commented on the number. The result is that some pools remain closed.
The beaches are staffed at the expense of pools, another alderman said.
The Park District is now offering $600 bonuses for seasonal and year-round lifeguards and $500 dollar referral bonuses.
The pay is about $16.00 per hour. Park District General Superintendent Rosa Escareño said in a statement, “We are not giving up.”
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