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2025 CITY OF CHICAGO PROCUREMENT SYMPOSIUM
THEME:
PARTNERING FOR PROGRESS: PROCUREMENT THAT POWERS OPPORTUNITY
TAGLINE:
CONNECTING BUSINESSES AND PRIMES TO POWER INCLUSIVE, INNOVATIVE PROCUREMENT
CONFIRMED EXHIBITORS
CITY OF CHICAGO DEPARTMENTS
CITY OF CHICAGO - DEPARTMENT OF AVIATION
CITY OF CHICAGO - DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AFFAIRS & CONSUMER PROTECTION
CITY OF CHICAGO – DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS
CITY OF CHICAGO - DEPARTMENT OF FLEET & FACILITY MANAGEMENT
CITY OF CHICAGO – DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
CITY OF CHICAGO – DEPARTMENT OF PROCUREMENT SERVICES
CITY OF CHICAGO – DEPARTMENT OF STREETS AND SANITATION
CITY OF CHICAGO - DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
CITY OF CHICAGO - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
CITY OF CHICAGO - DEPARTMENT OF WATER MANAGEMENT
CITY OF CHICAGO OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
CITY OF CHICAGO TREASURER'S OFFICE
MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
SISTER AGENCIES/GOVERNMENT PARTNERS
CHICAGO HOUSING AUTHORITY WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITY RESOURCE CENTER (WORC)
CHICAGO HOUSING AUTHORITY CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT
CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
CHICAGO URBAN LEAGUE
METROPOLITAN PIER AND EXPOSITION AUTHORITY
METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT
PUBLIC BUILDING COMMISSION OF CHICAGO
COOK COUNTY
COOK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF CAPITAL PLANNING
COOK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
COOK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND HIGHWAYS
COOK COUNTY OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER
FOREST PRESERVES DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY
VETERANS ASSISTANCE COMMISSION OF COOK COUNTY
STATE OF ILLINOIS
ILLINOIS COMMISSION ON EQUITY & INCLUSION
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, COMMUNITY SERVICE ENTERPRISE PROGRAM, BEP
ILLINOIS STATE COMPTROLLER
ILLINOIS STATE TREASURER’S OFFICE
ILLINOIS TOLLWAY
FEDERAL
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
BMO BANK
CHASE
FIFTH THIRD BANK
OLD NATIONAL BANK
PNC BANK
U. S. BANK
WINTRUST
POWER PARTNERSHIPS HUB
PRIMES
A.L.L. CONSTRUCTION GROUP
AECOM HUNT CLAYCO BOWA
ARCADIS
ARDMORE RODERICK
ATOS
BUSH INFOTECH GROUP, INC.
CHICAGO COMMUNITY BUILDERS COLLECTIVE/BALLY'S
CIVILTECH ENGINEERING, INC.
CLARK-O'NEIL T3 PARTNERS (COT3)
EPSTEIN
GILBANE BUILDING COMPANY
GSG CONSULTANTS INC.
JWI
MEAD & HUNT, INC.
MZI GROUP INC
OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER
POWER CONSTRUCTION
REDEFINE SOUTHSIDE PARTNERS
STUDIO ORD
SYSTRA-EXP
TURNER PASCHEN AVIATION PARTNERS
WALSH VINCI TCP
SPECIAL GUEST EXHIBITOR
CHICAGO BULLS
CATERER
NICOLE JORDAN CATERING
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
INTRODUCTION KICK-OFF
KEIANA BARRETT, CEO, BUSINESS LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
WELCOME ADDRESS
SHARLA D. ROBERTS, CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER
OPENING
AUDITORIUM FIRESIDE CHATS
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | CHICAGO WORKS TOGETHER: MAXIMIZING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES OPPORTUNITIES ON THE RED LINE EXTENSION (RLE)
DESCRIPTION:
Discover how the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) leveraged Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goals, workforce goals, and targeted outreach to maximize opportunities for DBE firms and job seekers during the design phase of the Red Line Extension (RLE) project. This session will examine the strategies employed by both the CTA and Walsh VINCI Transit Community Partners, the prime contractor, to engage the community and ensure timely and consistent communication of available opportunities.
MODERATOR:
JUANPABLO PRIETO, DIRECTOR, DIVERSITY PROGRAMS, CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
SPEAKERS:
TANESHEHA MARSHALL, P.E., VICE PRESIDENT, RED LINE EXTENSION, CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
LAKISHA HILLARD, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER, WALSH VINCI TRANSIT COMMUNITY PARTNERS
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12:05 PM – 12:55 PM | BUILDING THE FUTURE: THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER
DESCRIPTION:
This presentation will highlight the Obama Presidential Center’s innovative approach to engaging professional services and technology partners in the design, construction, and long-term operation of a world-class civic and cultural institution. Representatives from the Center will provide insight into upcoming contracting opportunities and the types of vendors needed to support its ongoing development and community-based programming—from IT infrastructure and digital storytelling to facilities management, creative services, and technical consulting.
This session will explore how the Center is embedding equity and access into its procurement strategy, with a strong commitment to partnering with small, local, minority-owned, and underrepresented businesses. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the Center’s upcoming vendor needs, learn how to effectively navigate the procurement process, and explore opportunities for collaboration between public and private institutions to build inclusive, innovative ecosystems.
SPEAKERS:
JOHN A. ROBERSON, INCOMING EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER
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1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | FIRESIDE CHAT | CROSSROADS: EQUITY, POWER & CHICAGO’S NEXT MOVE |Wisdom. Knowledge. Resolve.
DESCRIPTION: We’ll start by examining the legal, political, and historical context surrounding the national rollback on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), exploring how shifting federal policies and court rulings are challenging long-standing equity programs—and what that means for Chicago’s legacy of inclusivity across industries. From there, we’ll look at the on-the-ground impact, focusing on those most at risk as equity language is stripped from policies, including the real-life consequences for minority- and women-owned businesses and the ripple effects on historically marginalized communities. Finally, we’ll turn to solutions—highlighting how inclusive economic opportunity can be defended through advocacy, adaptation, and coalition-building, and exploring ways to reframe equity goals in legally sound terms to ensure minority businesses remain part of the conversation as the landscape evolves.
MODERATOR:
HEREMENE HARTMAN, DISTINGUISHED MEDIA PIONEER. FOUNDER OF N'DIGO
SPEAKERS:
KAREN FREEMAN–WILSON, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE CHICAGO URBAN LEAGUE
PEPPER MILLER, AUTHOR, AWARD-WINNING SPEAKER, THOUGHT LEADER, RECOGNIZED MARKET RESEARCHER, AND CONSULTANT
TYRONNE STOUDEMIRE, AUTHOR, GLOBAL VICE PRESIDENT OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
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2:15 PM – 3:15 PM | UNLOCKING CAPITAL BEYOND THE BANK: FUNDING PATHWAYS FOR ENTREPRENEURS IN A SHIFTING REGULATORY CLIMATE
DESCRIPTION:
This dynamic 60-minute session brings together leading voices from the world of finance and investing—curated and led by renowned Chicago-based investor and private equity advocate Joyce Johnson with a panel of her trusted colleagues and allies — together in a candid conversation, explore how diverse founders can pivot beyond traditional banks and uncover alternative funding streams—from private equity and venture capital to community development finance institutions (CDFIs), corporate partnerships, and mission-driven funds.
You’ll hear firsthand how to navigate the realities of structural bias in finance, how to align your business with the right kind of capital, and how to get into the room where decisions (and investments) are being made.
SPEAKERS:
JOYCE JOHNSON, CHAIRWOMAN AND CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER, PACIFIC GATE CAPITAL
STEVEN HUNTER, PARTNER QUARLES & BRADY LLP
GARY HALL, PARTNER & CO-PRESIDENT, SIEBERT WILLIAMS SHANK & CO., LLC, and THE CLEAR VISION FUND
JACQUES PHILOCTETE, PRIVATE BANKER
RONALD MILSAP, DIRECTOR, U.S. ZERO BARRIERS TO BUSINESS, BUSINESS BANKING
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1101
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF AVIATION POWER HOUR – DOING BUSINESS WITH O'HARE CMARs
DESCRIPTION:
O’Hare construction managers at-risk (CMARs) will provide information on large upcoming projects and answer questions about the procurement process and work on airport construction projects. O’Hare CMAR projects with open and upcoming procurement opportunities:
- Satellite Concourse 1: Construction of new remote multi-level 560,000 SF concourse facility (CMAR: AECOM Hunt Clayco Bowa JV)
- Satellite 1 Baggage Handling System: Construction of a new baggage handling system for the satellite concourse facility (CMAR: Turner Paschen Aviation Partners JV)
- Terminal 5 Landside Improvements & Repurposing: Multi-level expansion of Terminal 5 headhouse, adding 62,000 SF of building area, pedestrian bridge, and mezzanine floor (CMAR: Power Construction)
This will be an open-ended question-and-answer session.
Q&A MODERATOR
MATT MCGLEAM, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF CONSTRUCTION, CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF AVIATION
SPEAKERS
SEAN GLOWACZ, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, POWER CONSTRUCTION
ELIBE A. ELIBE, PROJECT DIRECTOR, CLAYCO / AECOM HUNT CLAYCO BOWA
ZOLA STEWART, COMMUNITY AND CITIZENSHIP DIRECTOR, TURNER CONSTRUCTION / TURNER PASCHEN AVIATION PARTNERS
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1102
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | PROPOSAL POWER: NAVIGATING RFPS AND DOING BUSINESS WITH THE CITY
DESCRIPTION:
This workshop offers a detailed, step-by-step guide to understanding and responding to a City of Chicago Request for Proposal (RFP), while also introducing the broader process of doing business with the city. Participants will learn how to navigate the City’s procurement system, interpret RFP requirements, and prepare a complete and competitive proposal. The session also covers essential information about vendor registration, certification programs, and accessing opportunities through the City’s eProcurement platform. Whether you're a small business, nonprofit, or first-time vendor, this workshop provides valuable insight into how to engage with City departments, avoid common mistakes, and position your organization for success in the government contracting space.
SPEAKER:
JEZIEEL CORTES, DEPUTY PROCUREMENT OFFICER, DPS
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1103
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | FROM PAPER TO PARTNER: HOW TO WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
DESCRIPTION:
Join the Department of Technology and Innovation (DTI) for an in-depth presentation highlighting current and upcoming technology-focused contracting opportunities, innovative initiatives, and strategic efforts to expand vendor engagement. This session is designed to inform and empower vendors, entrepreneurs, and agency partners looking to navigate and contribute to the evolving tech landscape within the public sector. Gain valuable insights on how to collaborate effectively with DTI and become a key player in driving innovation across government services.
SPEAKER:
RODERICK WARREN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CITY OF CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
MORE INFORMATION AND BIOS CAN BE FOUND AT CHI.GOV/SYMPOSIUM2025.
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