Joliet Township (ECWd) –
Everyone we showed this job opening announcement to said the same thing: “They can’t do that, it violates the law!”
Township Supervisor Vera says the part-time job requirements include: “Interested candidates must live in Joliet Township and must have voted in a Democratic primary election.”
We believe Joliet Township is violating the law by requiring prospective employees, such as assistants to the Clerk, to have voted in the Democrat Primary.
Sorry Republicans, Independents, Communists, Libertarians, and even those who decide not to vote at all – there are no jobs for you in Joliet Township.
The Illinois Supreme Court, in Rutan v. Republican Party of Ill., 497 US 62 – Supreme Court 1990, stated this:
“To the victor belong only those spoils that may be constitutionally obtained. . . First Amendment forbids government officials to discharge or threaten to discharge public employees solely for not being supporters of the political party in power, unless party affiliation is an appropriate requirement for the position involved. Today we are asked to decide the constitutionality of several related political patronage practices — whether promotion, transfer, recall, and hiring decisions involving low-level public employees may be constitutionally based on party affiliation and support. We hold that they may not.”
We encourage all those who did not vote in a Democrat Primary to apply for this job and seek legal counsel for when you are denied employment.
JOLIET TOWNSHIP Deputy-Clerk-Job-Opening
.
