(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Johnson Administration is now making it clear that the citywide hiring freeze budget officials announced this will not prevent hiring for public safety as first thought.
City Budget Director Annette Guzman's announcement of a citywide hiring freeze this week was worded to include all departments but many Alderpersons, the police and fire unions, and others were alarmed at the idea of halting the hiring of short staffed police and firefighters.
Now, a new statement has been issued stating, "Positions maintained by ordinance and those required under the consent decree, including public safety personnel, are exempt from the current hiring freeze."
Earlier Wednesday, in Little Village, the mayor reassured the public, that public safety is a top priority.
"We're going to have 200 more detectives by the end of this year. I made a commitment to doing that within the first term, we're already going to reach that goal.
"We're going to have three brand new helicopters, total, in the City of Chicago. We have provided raises for our police officers. And we're very proud of that work."
The city faces a $223 million shortfall for this year and a nearly $1 billion budget gap next fiscal year.
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