By Sabrina L. Miller and Gary Washburn
Tribune staff reporters
Published October 3, 2002
Chicago.Tribune.com

Chicago became the first major city in the nation Wednesday to approve a groundbreaking ordinance requiring all businesses vying for city contracts to search their records and disclose whether they profited from slavery.

The measure adds another critical piece to the efforts of Ald. Dorothy Tillman (3rd) to expose the horrors of slavery and further national dialogue on reparations.

The Slavery Era Disclosure Ordinance is modeled after California legislation passed two years ago requiring insurers doing business with that state to disclose their records on slave policies. The Chicago ordinance goes further, requiring all companies that do business with the city--insurance companies included--to make such disclosures.

"We want to know what was your role in slavery, what did you do, was your company built off the backs of slaves," Tillman said. "If they answer wrong, they can no longer do business with the city."

Companies disclosing slavery ties will not be banned from securing city contracts but will be required to turn over the findings to city officials. Companies falsely claiming that they had no slave history will have their contracts nullified, Tillman said.

"Reparations will be dealt with through our attorneys. We're talking about repairing the damage of 400 years. We expect these companies to repair the damage that they've done," Tillman said.

Tillman's colleagues expressed strong support for the measure, approving it with a 44-0 vote. African-American and white aldermen alike offered passionate testimony about the historical significance of the ordinance.

One of the council's more quiet members, Ald. Emma Mitts (37th), expressed personal hurt and anger about her own family's history dealing with the aftermath of slavery. She praised Tillman for bringing light to the uncomfortable subject.

"Whether we're ever reimbursed or whether we are ever able to move forward, it's no longer put up under the covers. It's no longer swept aside," Mitts said.

The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, which represents many businesses that would likely do business with the city, had no comment about the ordinance. Sean McManamy, spokesman for the American Insurance Association, said insurance companies would comply with the ordinance but said he was not convinced it was the best way to redress historical wrongs.

"Chicago is taking another lead in having private corporations begin to open up the books to explain what actually happened during the 19th Century," said Northeastern Illinois University history professor Anderson Thompson. "That's very important in terms of what is going to happen in terms of our future."

The council Wednesday also passed a resolution urging the Illinois legislature to pass a similar law. In 2000 the council passed a resolution urging Congress to hold hearings on reparations.

In other business, the council voted to extend a parking ticket amnesty program until Oct. 15. The program, for parking ticket scofflaws, was to have ended Friday. More than $4 million in overdue ticket revenue has been paid since Sept. 3.

The council also approved a "bill of rights" for the city's cable television subscribers, under which cable providers will be required to provide credits on bills to compensate customers for poor service and missed service appointments.

Also Wednesday:

Ald. Ray Suarez (31st) introduced a proposal to allow police to impound vehicles when people ride on the hood or trunk, or that are driven with flags protruding from windows in a way that could block the driver's view. The measure is designed to curb dangerous practices on streets after ethnic celebrations, Suarez said.

Ald. Edward Burke (14th) proposed a ban on a chemical commonly used by local dry cleaners, arguing it should be outlawed because it has been linked to deaths from some cancers.