Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development
July 25, 2018 City Council Meeting
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, On July 5, 2017, the Board of Education of the City of Chicago ("the Board of Education") and Chicago Public Schools ("CPS"), entered into a three-year maintenance contract with SodexoMAGIC, LLC ("SodexoMAGIC"); and
WHEREAS, The Board of Education approved spending of 228 million dollars to SodexoMAGIC in exchange for cleaning services; and
WHEREAS, CPS rescinded its recommendation in support of GCA Educational Services Central States Inc ("GCA"), awarding an additional 60 million dollar contract to SodexoMAGIC for cleaning services of Network 9; and
WHEREAS, Unnamed CPS officials have referred to sexual harassment claims against GCA, its parent company, ABM Industries Inc, or its other subsidiaries; and
WHEREAS, GCA has not had lawsuits for sexual harassment filed against it in the last five years, and thus no "poor history" in dealing with sexual harassment; and
WHEREAS, Reports that 91 of 125 schools failed cleanliness inspections have come to light, with health code violations including rodent and insect infestations, failure to provide hot water, and unsanitary food preparation areas and bathrooms; and
WHEREAS, Subsequently, one in four schools failed a second cleanliness inspection; and
WHEREAS, The schools with the most egregious violations were disproportionately schools serving economically disadvantaged children of color; and
WHEREAS, Network 9 is comprised of a majority of economically disadvantaged children of color; and
WHEREAS, SodexoMAGIC has taken part in layoffs that have caused CPS a loss of 500 custodians and building engineers; and
WHEREAS, CPS has recently reached an agreement to hire more custodians, at an additional cost of seven million dollars to the school district; and
WHEREAS, It is necessary for children and staff to be able to learn and work in an environment that is free of hazards and unhealthy conditions; and
WHEREAS, It is the responsibility of CPS and the Board of Education to provide a learning environment for students and teachers alike, devoid of aforementioned violations; and
WHEREAS, WHEREAS, CPS provided no official statement enumerating the reasons for rescinding its recommendation to award the 60 million dollar contract to GCA;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, urge CPS and the Board of Education to reconsider voting on the contract, to provide GCA with reasons as to why it was disqualified and to provide an opportunity to respond to allegations prior to any vote; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we call upon the Committee on Economic, Capital and Technology Development to hold a hearing to address this important issue; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That representatives from the CPS, GCA and SodexoMAGIC be present at said hearing.
