Newsletter

Some Chicago leaders object to minorities' small share of city contracts

Washburn, Gary

2004

Overview

Out of $651 million in total contracts awarded between January and September, $55 million went to African-American companies. That compares with $175 million, or 18 percent, when $972 million in total business was awarded in the comparable period of 2003. The last time the figure for African-American corporate participation amounted to only 9 percent was in 1999, when the issue galvanized the council's black caucus. Caucus members held a series of closed-door meetings to discuss ways to increase the number, but ultimately they were satisfied with Mayor Richard Daley's promise that new efforts would be made to recruit minority vendors. The drop in African-American contracting was caused, in part, by the cyclical nature of contracting, [Michael McMurray] said. Last year, for example, a black-owned dealership was awarded a $50 million vehicle purchase, but large numbers of vehicles have not been purchased in 2004, he said.

• Publisher: Tribune Content Agency LLC
• Subject: African Americans / Cities / Councils / Court decisions / Daley, Richard / Griggs, Eric / Hispanic Americans / Minority set aside programs