KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Would you hire an ex-offender? A group trying to find jobs for violators who have served their time and are trying to restart their lives made their case to the Kalamazoo City Commission on Monday.
They asked that the city require businesses that get tax breaks also remove the box on their application forms that asks about criminal histories. They’re also asking that employers refrain from doing background checks before making hiring decisions.
They also asked that commissioners have it on the next agenda.
Mayor Bobby Hopewell’s only objection was that it will take the city attorney longer than two weeks to draft the language, but they will get it done by early May. Advocates for the proposal seemed satisfied with that.
Commissioner Erin Knott urged the group to also take their request to other communites, like Portage, and the townships.
