Women sue city over ‘discriminatory' test for Fire Department
Posted:
Updated:
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
A group of 20 women claim they were rejected for jobs as Chicago firefighters and paramedics because the city made them take a test that discriminates against women.
The plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit filed Friday are also part of a class-action lawsuit that successfully argued the city's 1995 entrance exam for firefighters discriminated against African-American applicants. As part of the settlement in that case, the city was ordered to hire at least 111 of the plaintiffs.
The suit filed on behalf of the women claims the city required applicants to take a physical-abilities test that evaluated arm lifting, endurance, hose dragging and high-rise pack carrying.
It alleges women failed the test at "a higher rate than their male counterparts" and the city knew the test had an "adverse impact on women" and was "deliberately indifferent."
A spokesman for the city's Law Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday.
The women named as plaintiffs took the test in November 2011 and were told the next month they failed.
The suit aks for back pay and benefits for the women, and seeks to prohibit the city from administering the test for future applicants and adopt a new physical-abilities test.
Saturday, May 25 2013 10:50 AM EDT2013-05-25 14:50:09 GMT
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another heart-wrenching tragedy.
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another "heart-wrenching" tragedy -- displaced pets.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Saturday, May 25 2013 8:20 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:20:26 GMT
A northwest suburban Elgin woman faces felony charges for promoting the prostitution of a 17-year-old girl, following a three-month undercover investigation conducted by Aurora police.
A northwest suburban Elgin woman faces felony charges for promoting the prostitution of a 17-year-old girl, following a three-month undercover investigation conducted by Aurora police.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:40 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:40:54 GMT
As it waits to hear if it'll receive a $7 million bailout to stay open, Roseland Community Hospital laid off almost 70 employees, and other hospital employees will take a pay cut.
As it waits to hear if it'll receive a $7 million bailout to stay open, Roseland Community Hospital laid off almost 70 employees, and other hospital employees will take a pay cut.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:27 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:27:07 GMT
Portage Theater owner Eddie Carranza said the doors to the historic movie palace will stay closed for several months, or at least until he can transfer a license to a new operator.
Portage Theater owner Eddie Carranza said the doors to the historic movie palace will stay closed for several months, or at least until he can transfer a license to a new operator.
Saturday, May 25 2013 11:04 AM EDT2013-05-25 15:04:24 GMT
City residents sick of coupons piling up on their front doorsteps filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month urging the Chicago Tribune and Valassis Communications to stop distributing the mailings.
City residents sick of coupons piling up on their front doorsteps filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month urging the Chicago Tribune and Valassis Communications to stop distributing the mailings on their properties.
205 N. Michigan Avenue Ground Floor Chicago, IL 60601 Station Operator: (312) 565-5532 Newsroom: (312)565-5533
