RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT A RESPONSIBLE CONTRACTOR POLICY (RCP) IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Whereas the Aldermen and the Mayor of Chicago have a duty and fiduciary responsibility as elected officials to protect and promote the responsible and ethical use of Chicago taxpayer dollars; and
Whereas it is essential that the City have a way to hold contractors accountable for their use of taxpayer dollars, ensuring that companies awarded public contracts to produce goods and provide services are responsible, qualified, law-abiding and trustworthy and that they provide quality jobs with fair wages, benefits, and working conditions; and
Whereas the following public bodies have already enacted a Responsible Contractor Policy, or RCP, as a means to hold companies accountable for their use of public funds: Village of Coal City, City of Aurora, City of Chicago Heights, City of Orland Park, City of Springfield, Kane County, Will County, New Lennox School District and Springfield Park District; and
Whereas without the protection of a Responsible Contractor Policy, the City of Chicago has limited means of protecting the public from irresponsible contractors, and
Whereas when contract cost is prioritized over all other considerations, dishonorable contractors may cheat in order to submit unrealistically low bids, and those who are willing to cut corners gain an enormous cost advantage, thereby putting responsible contractors at a competitive disadvantage and reducing the quality of service provided to City facilities; and
Whereas with the lowest bidder model, workers have been cheated out of wages; communities have been robbed of revenue, and taxpayers have been unwittingly subsidizing illegal practices; and
Whereas when dishonest contractors are caught performing poorly or breaking the law, the integrity of elected public officials comes under scrutiny; and
Whereas because the state of Illinois and the City of Chicago are facing immense budget shortfalls and thus an increased need to prote...
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