Chicago Mayor Johnson’s Order on Contractor Disclosures
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has issued an executive order impacting city contractors. The order necessitates contractors disclose leadership diversity demographics and any associations with specific law enforcement agencies like ICE.
Mayor Johnson aims to leverage Chicago’s purchasing power to establish new contracting standards. He emphasizes the need for workplace data to identify discrimination and criticizes efforts to discontinue federal reporting requirements initiated during the Trump administration. 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) accused Johnson of penalizing American companies aiding in federal immigration enforcement. A DHS spokesperson asserted, “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 it won’t enforce the federal law.” The spokesperson added, “In case Chicago’s mayor forgot, an oath of office is a commitment to upholding the law, not encouraging criminal illegal aliens to break it.” The DHS assured, “Under President Trump, ICE will keep enforcing the law in Chicago, whether City Hall likes it or not.”
The unveiling occurred during a press conference at Arise Chicago, an immigrant rights nonprofit. Johnson described the order as a reaction to corporate influence in Washington and pledged to use city funds to implement Chicago’s values.
The order instructs Chicago’s chief procurement officer to devise rules within 90 days. These rules will prevent vendors with past public integrity, workplace discrimination, or wage theft violations over the last five years from engagement.
Contractors must reveal if they received more than $500,000 from government or law enforcement and if they face allegations of excessive force, unlawful detention, unconstitutional policing, discrimination, or other civil rights violations. Large corporations with corporate families reporting net incomes of at least $1 billion must provide data on leadership diversity and board composition if not already covered by Illinois reporting law.
Contractors must also report efforts to hire and promote formerly incarcerated individuals. Awardees must update these disclosures annually. Engagement with ICE is not labeled a disqualifying factor, though firms disclosed for specified integrity, discrimination, or wage theft violations must make these records public.
The Not With Our Money campaign collaborated with Johnson at the announcement, highlighting $3.19 billion in Chicago contractor funds controlled by 42 firms also conducting business with ICE.
Johnson’s statement referred to an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission proposal regarding annual EEO reporting requirements, which were criticized by EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas. Lucas contended these reports could obstruct equal employment law enforcement and raised constitutional concerns.
Johnson’s order adds to prior tensions with federal immigration authorities. In October, Johnson barred ICE from utilizing city parking lots and garages, resulting in operational challenges according to a federal agent. DHS noted that Operation Midway Blitz had culminated in over 4,500 arrests by December.
Fox News Digital attempted to contact Johnson’s office but did not receive an immediate response.
CJ Womack, the associate editor at Fox News, joined the team in 2026. CJ has extensive experience analyzing and reporting on news media.