Negocios Now

Supplier Diversity Edition

Negocios Now is the Hispanic Business Publication in Chicago with National Distribution

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www.negociosnow.com 8 Octubre 2019 NegociosNow NegociosNow By Hispanic News Agency (HINA) A s Jamie Rhee, Commis- sioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation, looks back on year one of her latest role with the City of Chi- cago, it is a time of reflection on the enormity of operating the nation's most connected airport, while gearing up for a decade of transformation. The next two years will bring the completion of both the Midway Modernization Project (MMP) and O'Hare Moderniza- tion Program. Once complete at Midway, travelers will expe- rience a reinvention of conces- sions, security entry and par- king improvements. Meanwhile, O'Hare passengers may not see such visual improvements, but when the modernization pro- gram comes to a close in 2020, it will be felt by 63-percent greater Jamie Rhee about O'Hare 21 "GREATER PARTICIPATION BY SMALL AND DIVERSE BUSINESSES" Photo courtesy This is a proposed design for the new global terminal at O'Hare International Airport. It will replace Terminal 2. efficiency on a completely rede- signed airfield. "The OMP has litera- lly paved the way for the $8.5 Billion O'Hare 21 project that is already underway in Termi- nal 5 and other places around the airport," said Rhee. "Now that we are nearly finished with that decade-long reconfigura- tion, we are now focusing on our aging terminals." Once complete in 2028, O'Hare 21 will have transformed ORD into a premier internatio- nal destination hub for the 21st century. "Working alongside our air- line and federal partners, our goal is to maintain operations in such a way that the avera- ge passenger won't even know there's construction taking pla- ce," said Rhee. "The entire pro- ject is conceptualized to move forward with each piece starting when the last comes on line, ultimately with the O'Hare Glo- bal Terminal." The project will also be a model of inclusiveness and transparency, with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the CDA viewing O'Hare 21 as an unprecedented opportunity for local participation by minori- ty, women, disabled, veteran, returning citizens and LGBTQIA businesses, by offering incen- tives to local, Chicago-based companies, broken down by the most in need of the city's 77 neighborhoods. "The Chicago Department of Aviation always has made eco- nomic inclusion for businesses and residents a top priority – because, as a city, we have a responsibility to both award our contracts not only in accordan- ce with the law but in a way that guarantees a fair shot for all, with integrity and transparen- cy, and greater participation by small and diverse businesses," said Rhee. "I'm proud to say that, working with the Chicago City Council, we have enacted strong policies to ensure greater and greater participation." New to the CDA and its acti- vities is a formal Code of Con- duct. Launched in early Septem- ber, the code serves as a road- map for all CDA employees and vendors. Each will be required to learn, understand and com- ply with the code, with trainings beginning this fall. "At a crucial time for Chicago's aviation communi- ty, the CDA Code of Conduct provides a road map to deliver on the promises of ORD 21 and the Midway Moderniza- tion Program," said Rhee. "Sin- ce the first day in office, Mayor Lori Lightfoot has mandated accountability for city emplo- yees and agencies to act with transparency, integrity and efficiency. The power of this effort will be demonstrated in our actions." The Code of Conduct, as well as other CDA news, is available at flychicago.org. "W orking alongside our airline and federal partners, our goal is to maintain operations in such a way that the average passenger won't even know there's construction taking place."

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