Albany lawmakers are pushing for a bill to provide to families of late hygiene workers who have put some of the same benefits provided to loved ones of their first responders who died of a 9/11-related illness to ground zero.
The Ignazio Jacaron Act gave additional credit to children and siblings of sanitary workers who died from 9/11-related illnesses in the civil service exam, bringing them along with firefighters and police officers.
The bill is named after Ignazio Jacaron, who died in 2021 after the fight against cancer.
“They gave everything to the city, and at least they have a kind of support. That's great,” Jacaron's son Michael told the Post.
More than 100 hygiene workers I'm dead Cancers linked to their work cleaning the trade center site.
Young Jacaron wants to follow in his father's footsteps. He currently has a list number, is set up to attend orientation and take physical classes to attend DSNY in a few months, but if he had gained the extra credits that the bill would offer, he could have attended before.
“I'm grateful [Sanitiation] Department. They were extremely helpful,” Jacolon said.
“My father said at the end of the day that the work gave him his life. It gave him a pension and he gave him everything he had built. I am very grateful for the work, and I am grateful for the city,” continued Jacolon.
Giacalone said efforts to take the bill by state legislators have been led primarily by former DSNY superintendent Edward Panzarella.
“This bill respects the legacy of sanitary workers like Ignazio, who are jeopardizing their lives on the New York line. However, passing this bill is a statement from the state of New York where we meet you, and we thank you. We will never forget your heroism and sacrifice,” the bill's sponsor said.
The legislature unanimously passed the bill earlier this month, but now it only needs to pass the state senator and head to Gov. Kathy Hokul's desk. The law is being carried in the Senate by State Senator Robert Jackson (D-Manhattan).
The law has also received support from city councillors.
“The strongest people in New York have lost over 130 people due to 9/11-related illnesses, but I rarely hear about their contributions. Now I respectfully respectfully honour the first responders there and respectfully reverted the city in the aftermath,” said Councillor Vicki Palladino.
