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Overview The Issues The Campaign Media News Get Involved

THE ISSUES

Who is White Lodging?


… an Indianapolis based national investment and development firm with operations ranging from amusement parks to hotels and real estate. It is headed by billionaire Dean White and his son Bruce, both graduates of the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business. Dean White is worth 1.3 billion, good for #606 on Forbes’ Richest People list.

… a contributor to the university in fiscal years 2002-2003, 2003-2004, and 2004-2005.

… a company not willing to pay Chicago’s standard hotel pay and benefits (13.20 an hour with $0 deducted for individual and $30/month deducted for family health coverage).

… a company committed to opposing worker’s right to free association and to form unions. None of its over 100 hotels are unionized.

… a company that has used deception and intimidation to in its refusal to abide by the Illinois Housekeeping Break Law.

… a company that has been sued by the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for religious discrimination against Muslim women.

… a company that is under boycott by the Muslim Alliance of Indianapolis and the Islamic Society of North America.



What is the University's Involvement?


The University of Chicago and White Lodging are planning to build a 15 story 250 room Marriott and 130 room Fairfield Inn and Suites. In September 2006, the University bought the site, a former Doctor's Hospital for 10.1 million dollars. The Doctor’s Hospital (officially the Illinois Central Hospital) is rated orange for historical importance by the Chicago Land Commission. The project will have to be rezoned and receive special approval from the city because the University and White Lodging propose to completely demolish the structure. At a public meeting in July 2007, the University presented their plan as a fait acompli, despite opposition from unions and worker rights advocates (UNITE-HERE Local #1, SOUL), affordable housing activists (STOP, AHA), preservationists (Hyde Park Historical Society) and neighbors concerned about the impact on their neighborhood (Vista Homes Co-operative). A broad coalition emerged in opposition to university’s plan. As a member of this coalition, SOUL canvassed in the 5th Ward to put pressure on 5th Ward Alderman, Leslie Hairston to not approve the necessary zoning and historical preservation changes for the project to continue. After initial and often bellicose opposition to this unusually broad community labor alliance, Alderman Hairston has made a number of public and private statements indicating she is willing to listen to both worker rights and preservationist concerns.



Current Plans and Their Alternatives

University Plans Just Alternatives
JOBS Let in a company with a history of poverty wages, discrimination, and poor treatment of workers. Hire from the community and guarantee living wage union jobs through a card check neutrality agreement
HOUSING Put a luxury hotel in a gentrifying area, likely raising assessments and rent pressures. Study the impact first to ensure development serves community needs and not developer greed.
HISTORY Demolish a historic building. Preserve this important piece of Hyde Park’s history.
PROCESS Give a no-bid contract to a U of C connected company without community input. The community should make decisions from the beginning.