Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has issued an executive order mandating city contractors to reveal information about leadership diversity and any affiliations with law enforcement agencies like ICE. This move aims to leverage the city’s purchasing power in setting new contracting standards.
Johnson emphasized the necessity of workplace data to address discrimination, criticizing the former Trump administration for ending federal reporting requirements. He stated, “If you want to do business with this city, we want to know whether the people leading your company reflect the diversity of the communities whose tax dollars are paying your contracts.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responded, accusing Johnson of penalizing American companies for aiding federal immigration enforcement efforts. A DHS spokesperson remarked, “If Mayor Johnson wants to lecture anyone about taxpayer dollars, remember what he is: a sanctuary politician who bullies American companies with money that isn’t his. Chicago takes the federal check but won’t enforce the federal law.” The spokesperson further insisted that ICE will continue enforcing the law in Chicago regardless of City Hall’s stance.
Announced at a press conference hosted by Arise Chicago, a nonprofit advocating for immigrant rights, Johnson framed the order as a counteraction to corporate influence in Washington. The city intends to use its spending power to enact its values.
The order instructs the city’s chief procurement officer to draft regulations within 90 days that prohibit vendors guilty of public integrity violations, workplace discrimination, or wage theft in the past five years. Contractors are required to disclose any receipt of over $500,000 from the government or law enforcement, along with any allegations of excessive force, unlawful detention, or other civil rights breaches.
Large private firms with corporate earnings of at least $1 billion must provide diversity information if not already covered by Illinois law. Contractors must also report their efforts to hire and promote formerly incarcerated individuals; awarded contracts must update these disclosures annually.
While ties to ICE do not automatically disqualify a firm, violations of integrity, discrimination, or wage theft are grounds for disqualification. Disclosures will be made public.
The campaign Not With Our Money highlighted $3.19 billion in Chicago contracts held by 42 firms also working with ICE. Johnson referenced an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission proposal concerning the filing of annual reports with aggregate employee data on race, sex, and job category, which was challenged by EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas on constitutional grounds.
In previous actions, Mayor Johnson prohibited ICE from using city parking facilities, which, according to a federal agent, affected operations by forcing agents to work from public locations. Operation Midway Blitz resulted in over 4,500 arrests last year.
Fox News Digital reached out to Johnson’s office for comment but did not receive an immediate response.