Excerpts from ChicagoTribune.com: City officials in Waukegan are making a concerted effort to attract more minority candidates for the upcoming recruitment of new police officers and firefighters. They’ve sent recruiters to local technical schools, set up booths at community events, and even had the mayor speak on both English- and Spanish-language radio stations to reach a broader audience. This biennial hiring process has been in the works for months, as city leaders aim to address long-standing concerns raised by community activists, religious leaders, and others who have pointed out that minorities—particularly Black and Latino residents—are underrepresented in the police and fire departments. Currently, only 7% of Waukegan’s 150 police officers are Black, and 18% are Hispanic. In the fire department, just six out of 120 employees are Black, with three being Hispanic. Meanwhile, the city’s population is 53.4% Hispanic and 19.2% Black, according to 2010 census data. Diversifying the departments was one of the key commitments made by Mayor Wayne Motley when he took office in 2013. However, it wasn’t until the city engaged in a lengthy mediation with the Department of Justice and organizations like the NAACP and the Latino Advisory Committee that the need for targeted efforts became clear. Motley, who served as a sergeant in the Waukegan Police Department for 26 years before retiring in 2001, noted that during his time on the force, there were plenty of Black officers. He believes part of the issue today lies in the negative perception many in the Black community have of the police department. To change this, city officials have been working with the Citizens for Progress Committee, which was formed last fall, and are implementing recommendations from the DOJ mediation. The goal is not just to increase diversity but to build trust and foster better relationships between the departments and the community. Deputy Police Chief Mark Stevenson emphasized that the recruitment efforts should also help strengthen community ties. Fire Chief George Bridges Jr., an African-American, added that the city is focusing on youth outreach programs, such as the Waukegan Explorer Post, which introduces young people aged 15 to 21 to careers in firefighting and emergency services. The fire department currently has five women on staff, three of whom are administrative personnel. The police department employs 16 women, including four Hispanics, three Blacks, and one Native American. These numbers reflect ongoing efforts to improve representation across all departments. Mayor Motley also announced changes to the application process to give priority to local residents. While state law dictates much of the hiring criteria—including physical and written tests and veteran status—the city will now add extra points for graduates of Waukegan High School and remove preference for college degrees, which historically benefited white applicants more than others. While these steps are positive, it remains to be seen whether they will lead to meaningful change in the composition of the departments. “The big push this time was to make sure everyone knew about the test and had the chance to apply,†Motley said. “We’ve gone above and beyond in informing the public.†Applications for the Waukegan Fire Department are due by 4 p.m. on August 5, with submissions open until July 29. The police department will accept applications until 4 p.m. on September 1. More information can be found on the city’s official website: waukeganil.gov. Copper Sulphate,Copper Sulphate Algaecide,Copper Sulphate Pentahydrate,Copper Sulphate Pentahydrite Henan Kepeiao New Materials Co.,Ltd. , https://www.kopeochem.com