Lifeguard shortage hits Chicago Park District

Chicago Park District has been experiencing soaring temperatures for the past couple of days, now what better way to deal with the heat than hitting the pools. However, you might not be able to do that as the district does not have enough lifeguards to open all the pools. 

The park district is feeling the pinch of a national shortage of lifeguards, this news comes months after the district said it created a new office of prevention and accountability to rebuild trust following abuse scandals. 

In order to recruit more lifeguards, The Chicago Park District announced it would increase the retention bonus to $600 for new seasonal lifeguard applicants and existing lifeguards. The park district will also extend a $500 bonus to existing employees who refer qualified candidates to work as lifeguards this summer. They are also offering year-round employment status after the summer ends, the candidates do not have to live in the area to apply.

While the citizens have been seeing locks on most of the pools this summer, the cleaning crew arrived at the Portage Park pool, cleaning and repainting the pool area ahead of a possible open day. The goal is to open all the pools by June 24th. 

Source: CBS Chicago