Minority Contracts In Chicago Essay - 1,610 words

Should Minority Contractors get a predetermined share of Chicago City Favoritism abounds, children, from kindergarten through college have at one point or another claimed they were discriminated against by parents or teachers because They like the other kid better. Adults also claim that they are discriminated against because He sucks up to the boss or she only got the raise because I will not tolerate the books invitations to dinner These are all excuses people use to try to find a comfortable answer as to why they did not receive a specific award. These examples definitely apply to the ordeal concerning the distribution of city contracts to minorities. I believe that ALL of Chicago's public construction contracts should be awarded out of merit by a committee of Aldermen comprising whites, blacks and all other ethnicities. Whichever construction company has the best deal, quickest completion date, or does the best work should receive the contract (s) for the construction of a It seems that corruption is a serious problem in minorities getting a piece of the citys contracts. On December 30 th of last year, the Chicago Tribune printed an article which showed that Mayor Daley has been favoring two construction firms which are owned by the Duff family.


One of these firms, Windy City Maintenance, is allegedly owned by a female member of the Duff family. The other firm, Remedial Environmental Manpower, is allegedly run by a black man with links to the Duff family. From this articles information, it seems that the Duff family appears to have a number of construction companies owned by its family members. what most people do not know, who the Mr. Duff and his family are, and why they have been awarded these contracts. The Duff family is known to have ties with organized crime, as well as being actively involved with functions related to Mayor Daley. (Tribune July 14) The Duff family has provided more than $ 30, 000 to the Mayors coffers, as well as hosting fund-raisers for the Mayor, of which he attended one last February. (Tribune July 14 1999) Mayor Daley has always spoken of his huge affirmative action program.


Providing city contracts for minority owned and operated business has been one of the cornerstones of this plan. Now that there appears to be a tainting of this affirmative action plan by the mob and other corrupt organizations, the African-American community could bring about political trouble for the Mayor in Besides corruption, price fixing is also a problem. If a firm can produce a bid that is far lower than the competitions, they win the contract. Once the firm has been awarded the contract, it can go about raising the price and making a profit like the other companies would have done. For instance G. F.


Structures, a firm that deals with fences, and fence installation was a bidder on a contract to fence in a sections of Jefferson Park, and the tennis courts at Lincoln Park. (Sun Times Jan. 11 th 1999) The city of Chicago determined that it would need 15, 000 sections of fence to get the job done. G. F. Structures, owned by a Mr. Crandall had the lowest bid, $ 15, 000. That means that they could install the fence and pay their workers and make a profit at just one dollar a section.


The second lowest bid was $ 90, 000. Mr. Crandall, like the Duff family has connections to the Mayor, and his family that date back over thirty years. (Tribune January 11 th 2000) Crandall's grandfather was a political ally of Richard J. Daley. Currently, Crandall buys commercial insurance from John Daley, Mayor Daley's brother. According to the Tribune, John Daley considers Crandall a friend, and Crandall is also friends with Alexander Grzyb, Chicago's On Monday, (January 10) Daley said he had no relationship with Crandall other than saying an occasional hello. (Tribune January 11 2000) How honest does this sound?


To me the Mayors statement saying that he has no relationship with Mr. Crandall proves that corruption is at the top ranks of Chicago. Crandall has known the Mayor and his family for more than 30 years. He buys insurance from the John Daley, the Mayors own brother, and Richard Daley has no relationship with him? Something just does not make sense. With all the corruption going on, Chicago police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have gotten involved to make Chicago corruption free.


Rafael Frias, a Chicago city-council member was indicted on December 12 1999. He was charged with promising to get a dummy company set up by a contractor certified as a business owned by a woman and help it receive contracts in exchange for $ 500 up front, ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Essay Tags: divided into three, construction companies, chicago tribune, affirmative action, feb 2000

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