MR. JOHN BATES August 31, 1939 - December 14, 1994 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OFFICER John Bates was the Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Officer on numerous large construction projects in Chicago. As such, he was able to include significant participation by African American contractors on those jobs. For UBM Inc. and the Chicago Urban League, Mr. Bates made sure these projects were in accord with Chicago's affirmative action goals. He located and helped minority and women con tractors in the bidding process, assisted them after they received the job and monitored EEO plans on behalf of majority and minority contractors.

Mr. Bates' major projects included the $618 million International Terminal at O'Hare Airport; the $90 million 35 West Wacker/Leo Burnett Building; the $70 million NBC Tower; the $20 million North Pier Terminal; and the $6 million Cityfront Center Infrastructure. MBE goals on these projects ranged from 15-28 percent. Mr. Bates monitored the affirmative action agreement for the McCormick Place Annex and helped certify minority contractors on the Dan Ryan project. He also co-founded Minority Economic Development Systems Inc. (MEDS) to facilitate neighborhood commercial and housing development. As Executive Vice President, Mr. Bates managed 16 grant programs and directed the construction of a 312-unit highrise on 47th and King Drive and a 111-unit office building at 36th and Michigan.