Chicago waits to hear if it will be hiring firefighters in long-running discrimination case

Chicago waits for next step in firefighter case

CHICAGO — The city of Chicago says it’s ready to hire firefighters in a long-running discrimination case. It’s just waiting for a court to order it to do so.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday found a group of black applicants didn’t wait too long to sue and sent the case back to a lower court to determine what will happen.

The city estimates damages and pension obligations in the case could be as high as $45 million.

The court action is the latest in a case spanning 15 years and challenging a 1995 test that was used to cull applicants who hoped to one day become firefighters. It’s also the latest episode in a department with a history of acrimony over racial issues in hiring.