Our construction industry is an economic engine for the City of Chicago. We not only build buildings but also connect communities, provide jobs, and create impact, one project at a time.

With this in mind, the FWC and HACIA’s board members and Executive Directors met with both City of Chicago Mayoral Candidates, Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson.

We thought it was extremely important to understand how each candidate plans to support the industry and create more equitable opportunities for women and minority contractors and professional service firms.

*Please note, this e-mail is only intended as a recap of both of our candidate meetings, and NOT an endorsement of either Mayoral candidate.

We asked each candidate the following:

How will you support and improve the M/W/D/VBE programs?
How will you incentivize businesses and developers to build in Chicago?
How do you plan on tackling barriers like delayed payments to promote a stronger diverse pipeline of women and minority contractors?

• Recap of FWC/HACIA meeting with Paul Vallas | Thursday, March 16, 2023   Paul Vallas noted he will implement better processes and controls by:   Bringing sister agencies under City oversight for better controls and uniformity across departments. (For instance, he would consider moving CHA to the Department of Housing.)   Making City Council and departments more business-friendly by cutting the red tape and simplifying the processes to certifications, permits, licenses, etc.   Improve the M/W/BE programs by:   Increasing goals to 50% and not double-counting.   Prequalify firms for faster and more available procurement.    Insure and bond prequalified contractors to remove cost barriers.   Adding goals on professional service contracts.   And would reduce barriers by:    Implementing quick pay across all agencies. (Vallas applied this process at CPS and it paid subs in less than 60 days.)  Barring companies that don’t comply with goals and payments.

  Recap of FWC/HACIA meeting with Brandon Johnson | Monday, March 20, 2022   Brandon Johnson noted he will work with contractors to:   Increase the pipeline of more women and minority firms by:   Streamlining the business processes in City departments   Understanding the needs and challenges of businesses   Hiring the right individuals to support the small business and contractor community   Implement a comprehensive approach to the City by:   Highlighting the true beauty of the City of Chicago.   Creating safer neighborhoods to attract more businesses and development to the City of Chicago.    Institutionalize investments on Chicago’s South and West sides by adding a $500M line item to the budget.   Remove barriers to entry and doing business with the City of Chicago by: Revisit reimbursement programs and help businesses get capital.   Better understand payment issues and apply the successful processes from Cook County   Listen and partner with organizations like HACIA and FWC for input and strategies to improve

  
  

  These two candidates aren’t alone in the run-offs. There are 14 aldermanic races that will also be decided on April, 4, 2023. Learn more about these races here.

  Make your voice heard! Be sure to vote on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. Find your polling place here.