$55.6 Million O’Hare Cargo Project Bond Package Advances with Bolstered Minority Participation
Aldermen on Monday gave the go-ahead to a $55.6 million O’Hare International Airport cargo expansion project bond package they had previously stalled due to concerns over low minority participation.
The expansion funding hit a roadblock last fall, when aldermen grilled Aeroterm officials about the company’s failure to meet bench marks for hiring minority firms and Chicago residents in the first two phases of the northeast cargo expansion project.
But it sailed through the Finance Committee on Monday after Aeroterm Vice President Greg Russell testified about the minority-owned firms that will be part of the construction work.
Russell also said Aeroterm has agreed to pay damages if the company doesn’t hire enough Chicagoans to work on the project.
Council Black Caucus Chairman Ald. Jason Ervin, 28th, thanked Russell for addressing the problems.
The full City Council will consider the bond deal Wednesday.
Twitter @_johnbyrne
___
(c)2021 the Chicago Tribune
Visit the Chicago Tribune at www.chicagotribune.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.