JJC President Judy Mitchell Accused of Alleged Bid Tampering

JJC President Judy Mitchell Accused of Alleged Bid Tampering (Joliet, IL) - Joliet Junior College President Judy Mitchell came under fire at Wednesday's college board meeting for alleged bid-tampering. Over the last several years, many Black business groups have questioned JJC's practices in hiring Black-owned companies.
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JJC President Judy Mitchell Accused of Alleged Bid Tampering (Joliet, IL) – Joliet Junior College President Judy Mitchell came under fire at Wednesday’s college board meeting for alleged bid-tampering. Over the last several years, many Black business groups have questioned JJC’s practices in hiring Black-owned companies.

JJC’s website references 30 ILCS 575, the State of Illinois’ Business Enterprise for Minorities, Females, and Persons with Disabilities Act, directly on their Vendor page, however their record with hiring these firms is abysmal. According to a document dated October 15, 2020 received by The Southland Journal via a Freedom of Information Act request, JJC awarded no contracts to MBE certified firms despite the 20% goal outlined in the act. A copy of the document can be found here:

The statement on JJC’s vendor page reads “The college strives to contract with disadvantaged businesses in the procurement process and serves as a resource to local businesses for assistance with adherence to solicitation requirements. College solicitations under the categories listed below may contain a 20% goal to include businesses owned and controlled by minorities, females, and persons with disabilities in the College’s procurement and contracting processes in accordance with the State of Illinois’ Business Enterprise for Minorities, Females, and Persons with Disabilities Act (30 ILCS 575)…”

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At the board meeting, Dr. Cornel Darden Jr., President and CEO of the Southland Black Chamber of Commerce & Industry alleged that President Mitchell worked with JJC’s purchasing department to cover-up an instance of bid-tampering. Darden said that he was there at the bid-opening and watched the tampering take place. He called for her immediate resignation or termination, saying that Black businesses shouldn’t have to wait until the end of the year to receive fair treatment from the college.

President Mitchell, who has served as JJC’s President since 2016, announced her resignation earlier this week without providing a reason. She later told the staff and board that she was looking forward to spending more time with family. She is expected to officially retire at the end of this year.

https://www.facebook.com/JolietJuniorCollege/posts/10159764964475864

JJC President Judy Mitchell Accused of Alleged Bid Tampering

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