Gainful Employment

Two Chicago building inspectors are out of jobs after being accused of lying on their applications. The two allegedly presented journeyman carpenters' cards as part of their applications for the $50,000 a year jobs. But local media started asking questions about how a 19-year-old and a 23-year-old could get the six years experience normally required for those cards. Reporters revealed that the two were sons of high-ranking carpenters' union officials. The two face $500 fines if found guilty, but the city says it has no plans to punish the union, its top officials, or the building commissioner.