Excerpts from ChicagoTribune.com: Waukegan officials are actively seeking new police officers and firefighters, taking a multi-pronged approach to attract more minority candidates. They've sent recruiters to local technical schools and churches, set up booths at community events, and even had the mayor appear on both English- and Spanish-language radio stations to spread the word. This recruitment effort is part of a broader initiative that has been in the works for months. The goal is to address long-standing concerns raised by community leaders, activists, and clergy about the underrepresentation of Black and Latino residents in the city's police and fire departments. Currently, only 18% of Waukegan’s 150 police officers are Hispanic, and 7% are Black. In the fire department, out of 120 employees, just six are Black and three are Hispanic. These numbers contrast sharply with the city's demographics, where 53.4% of residents are Hispanic and 19.2% are Black, according to the 2010 census. Diversity was one of the key promises Mayor Wayne Motley made when he took office in 2013. However, it wasn’t until the city entered into a lengthy mediation process with the Department of Justice, along with groups like the NAACP and the Latino Advisory Committee, that the need for targeted efforts became clear. Motley, who spent 26 years as a police officer in Waukegan before retiring as a sergeant in 2001, said the issue hit close to home. He remembered working alongside many Black officers during his time on the force, which made the current disparity even more troubling. He believes part of the problem lies in the negative perception some Black residents have of the police department. To combat this, city officials have been working on improving relations through initiatives recommended by the Citizens for Progress Committee and those outlined in the DOJ mediation process. Deputy Police Chief Mark Stevenson hopes these efforts will lead to not only more diverse departments but also stronger community ties. Fire Chief George Bridges Jr., an African-American, emphasized that the recruitment process is also an opportunity to engage with youth through programs like the Waukegan Explorer Post, which encourages young people—especially girls—to consider careers in emergency services. The fire department currently employs five women, three of whom are in administrative roles. The police department has 16 women on staff, including four Hispanics, three Blacks, and one Native American. These efforts are not limited to the biennial hiring cycle, which includes testing and building a candidate list every two years. To further increase diversity, the city is adjusting its application process. While state law still dictates much of the hiring criteria—such as physical and written tests, veteran status, and other factors—Waukegan is now giving extra preference to residents and graduates of Waukegan High School. At the same time, they’ve removed preference points for college degrees, which previously benefited white applicants disproportionately. Despite these changes, whether they will result in meaningful change remains to be seen. “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 applications available through July 29. The police department will accept applications until 4 p.m. on September 1. More information can be found on the city’s website: waukeganil.gov. Copper Sulphate,Copper Sulphate Algaecide,Copper Sulphate Pentahydrate,Copper Sulphate Pentahydrite Henan Kepeiao New Materials Co.,Ltd. , https://www.kopeochem.com