By the late 1970s, new federal and state laws and court decisions had curtailed the patronage system. But one colleague, looking back on the era, believed that such revisions worked best when balanced against the need for responsive government. Click on image to play video.
Video: Charles Pounian, Director of Personnel City of Chicago 1960-1985, interview excerpt, September 3, 2003

Notice informing city employees that as a result of the Shakman decree, there are no longer any political requirements for their jobs. RJD_01_01_0145_0008_004