Committee on Human Relations
Chicago Water Department Resolution for Hearings on Racism and Discrimination Within the Department
WHEREAS, the Chicago Department of Water Management is responsible for delivering nearly 1 billion gallons of fresh water to the residents of Chicago and 125 suburban communities; and
WHEREAS, the Chicago Department of Water Management is responsible for removing the waste water and storm runoff from the streets of Chicago through the sewer system, and delivering effluent for treatment to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago; and
WHEREAS, the Inspector General launched an eight-month investigation into the culture within the Water Department after allegations of racism were made; and
WHEREAS, several Water Department managers resigned after the Inspector General investigation; and
WHEREAS, a federal lawsuit was filed on behalf of seven current and former employees of the department seeking class-action status; and
WHEREAS, the employees in the federal lawsuit allege that because of their race, they were denied promotions and transfer, given less-desirable work assignments, harassed and wrongly fired in some cases; and
WHEREAS, plaintiffs claim that non-black managers and employees subject black employees to racial slurs and racially charged phrases and in some cases, were subject to undue disciplinary hearings in retaliation for speaking out; and
WHEREAS, the lawsuit alleges that the Water Department did nothing to remedy the hostile work environment; and
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago and Water Department spokesperson contend that they have no tolerance for discrimination of employees in any form,
BE IT SO RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council as responsible for ensuring our departments operate with the highest level of integrity and root out racist, discriminatory and otherwise hostile practices in our department, request a full hearing to determine the scope of the alleged cla...
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