Excerpts from ChicagoTribune.com:
At the beginning of this week’s Waukegan City Council meeting, Lake County Circuit Court Judge George Bridges Sr. took a moment to administer the oath of office to his son, George Bridges Jr., who was officially sworn in as the city’s new fire chief.
During the October 5 council session, which was attended by a full house of supporters and colleagues, Judge Bridges addressed Mayor Wayne Motley, saying, “It would be my honor to swear him in, with your permission.†The ceremony marked the official transition from outgoing fire chief Ricco Farrell, who retired on the same day.
Motley explained that he had chosen George Bridges after consulting with Farrell, who had provided a list of potential candidates following his announcement last month that he would step down to care for his parents. The decision was made unanimously by the city council before the swearing-in ceremony.
“I want to make it very clear, so there’s no confusion or misunderstanding,†Motley said. “I chose George Bridges for three specific reasons—only three, no more. First, he’s highly competent. Second, he’s brave. And third, he’s deeply committed to Waukegan.â€
“When you hear people talking about why I selected him, those are the three reasons, and only those three,†he added.
After the meeting, Motley was asked to clarify further, and he mentioned that he had heard allegations of favoritism and even racial bias in the selection process.
“I didn’t pick him because he’s Black, and I didn’t choose him just because he’s George Bridges’ son,†Motley said, noting that he had worked alongside the elder Bridges in the Waukegan Police Department. “There were several strong candidates, but I went with him because he knows this city better than anyone else.â€
City Aldermen Cunningham and Moisio praised the decision, supporting the idea of promoting someone from within the department.
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