Record #: R2017-730   
Type: Resolution Status: Failed to Pass
Intro date: 9/6/2017 Current Controlling Legislative Body: Committee on Workforce Development and Audit
Final action:
Title: Call for hearing(s) on use of best practices and legal or legislative measures needed to support minority-owned business enterprises
Sponsors: Sawyer, Roderick T., Hairston, Leslie A., Lopez, Raymond A., Munoz, Ricardo, Cardenas, George A., Harris, Michelle A., Mitchell, Gregory I., Beale, Anthony, Scott, Jr. Michael, Solis, Daniel, Austin, Carrie M., Moore, David H., Foulkes, Toni, Willie B. Cochran, Dowell, Pat, King, Sophia D., Villegas, Gilbert, Ervin, Jason C., Maldonado, Roberto, Reboyras, Ariel, Taliaferro, Chris, Santiago, Milagros, Waguespack, Scott, Curtis, Derrick G., Brookins, Jr., Howard
Topic: COMMITTEE/PUBLIC HEARINGS - Committee on Budget and Government Operations
Attachments: 1. R2017-730.pdf
Related files: R2019-362
Committee on Workforce Development September 6, 2017 City Council Meeting


RESOLUTION


WHEREAS, the City of Chicago has a vested interest in the continued development and growth of Minority and Women owned Business Enterprises, that interest being codified in 2-92-650 of the Municipal Code of Chicago as amended to be in compliance with the decision in Builders Ass'n of Greater Chicago v. City of Chicago, (298 F. Supp. 2d 725 (N.D. III. 2003) and adopted by Chicago City Council in May 2004;

WHEREAS, the stated intent of the ordinance of the City of Chicago is to provide a level playing field and equal access for all contractors and subcontractors to participate in city contracting opportunities;

WHEREAS, recent studies conducted at the City and County levels conclude that discrimination based on gender and race, notably in the Construction industry, is still problematic and M/WBEs continue to struggle for business with less success than their white counterparts due to discriminatory practices;

WHEREAS, the number of MBEs in the city is still drastically lower than that of non-MBE companies;


NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and the members of City Council call for hearings before the Committee on Workforce Development to consider:
Best practices for removing obstacles to the economy and marketplace for MBEs;
What legal and legislative steps can be taken to strengthen and further the success of current MBEs; and
How net worth caps on MBEs prevents meaningful growth and access to MBEs, causing significant economic and social harm to not only black communities, but Chicago at large.