Chicago 2016: Peace With Community Groups?

By Kevin Robinson in News on Mar 27, 2009 3:20PM

Just in time for the International Olympic Committee's visit to Chicago to evaluate the city's bid to host the games in 2016, the Chicago 2016 Olympic bid committee has reached an agreement with several community groups on affordable housing, contracting opportunities and jobs. The City Council’s Finance Committee is expected to vote on the legally binding agreement this morning. Some community have been threatening to embarrass the city with pickets and protests next week when the IOC arrives if the city doesn't agree to benefits for residents if the Olympics comes to Chicago in 2016. "The (agreement) they've come up with is a really good deal," 4th Ward Alderman Toni Preckwinkle told Crain's. "We're a long way down the road from where we were in December. They met us more than halfway."

The bid committee agreed to set aside 30 percent of the Olympic Village for affordable housing, 25 percent of contracting and city procurement for firms owned by minorities or the disabled, and five percent to women owned businesses. Lori Healey, president of the bid committee, told Crain's Chicago Business that they would like to top Atlanta by awarding 40 percent of contracts to minority firms. The Duff family was unavailable for comment.

Just in case the Olympics don't turn out to be profitable for the city, the Illinois State Senate approved a quarter billion dollar guarantee of state funds, in addition to the half a billion dollars the City of Chicago has already pledged. State lawmakers, however, are still grappling with how to close the $11 billion hole in the state budget that Illinois is facing in 2010. "Our skin is in the game," said Chicago State Sen. Kwame Raoul, who sponsored the legislation. The bill is awaiting Governor Pay Quinn's signature. "This means we can continue on an equal basis with the other bid cities."