MR. JOSEPH EVANS MINORITY PLANNING COMMISSIONER Mr. Joseph Evans established the first affirmative action programs and policy for Chicago's Departments of Planning and Urban Renewal. His efforts led to the development of many of Chicago's innovative approaches to neighborhood and commercial redevelopment. As Assistant Commissioner in charge of Equal Employment Opportunity for the Department of Planning from 1970-'81, Mr. Evans designed the canvassing formula which allows bid credits on construction contracts to forecast and guarantee percentages of minority hiring among journeymen, laborers and apprentices.

As Assistant Commissioner for the Department of Economic Development from 1981-'85, Mr. Evans organized and administered the Neighborhood and Business Area Services Programs, which included the Facade Rebate and Model Block projects. During his career, Mr. Evans coordinated and supervised design, engineering and construction activities for the Central Englewood Business Area; served as the Equal Employment Officer on the building of Kennedy-King College; and promoted integration of the 2,000-unit Lake Meadows Housing Development. He also served as EEO Officer for the city's Public Building Commission and formed the city's Construction Equal Opportunity Task Force in 1973 to address the issues of on-site picketing by community activists.