Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public commenters press Cook County on racial disparities in contracting and seek audit of demolitions
Summary
Three public commenters told the committee that Black contractors are underrepresented, urged an auditor review of outside law-firm contracts, and asked for records and compensation tracking after demolitions on the South Side; commissioners acknowledged the concerns and OCPO agreed to share materials and follow up.
Three members of the public used the committee's public comment period to press county leaders on equity and accountability in contracting and demolitions.
George Blakemore alleged that Black contractors receive only about 2% of contracting dollars and urged the committee and staff to examine what share of contracts go to Black-owned firms. "Black people get... 2%? You got a dollar and 2 pennies of it, black people get," Blakemore said during his allotted time. The comment was not fully answered in the moment; OCPO later presented aggregate MWDSBE award figures to the committee during the report.
Jessica Jackson urged the county auditor to examine contracts the county awards to private law firms and questioned whether settlements and outsourcing are driving unnecessary spending. Jackson named several firms in her remarks and told the auditor (referred to in the record as Bridgette) that those contracts should be included in any audit of county spending.
Zoe Lee asked the committee and the auditor to report on property demolitions on Chicago's South Side versus North Side, including whether property owners were compensated and whether lots later transferred to developers who received public incentives such as tax increment financing or redevelopment assistance. She cited a demolition in 2017 (a property identified in her remarks as Sandpiper's Lounge) and said her family had not been compensated.
Committee members acknowledged the concerns and OCPO/board staff said they would include requested data and follow up with the public on where to find reports and resources. The transcript does not record a formal audit commitment or a departmental action plan in response to these specific public requests; commissioners asked staff to supply materials and contact information after the meeting.
