Discrimination Complaint Filed Against Joliet Housing Authority, Carlson Construction

JOLIET, IL — A discrimination complaint was filed Tuesday against Carlson Construction and the Joliet Housing Authority.

Joliet resident Steve Broadway said in the complaint against Carlson that in or around July 2016 and continuing, he has been refused an application for employment. He also said he submitted his resume, but was not hired.

In the complaint against the Joliet Housing Authority, Broadway claims he applied for employment in or around September 2016, but was not hired.

In both instances, Broadway claims the discrimination stems from being a black male. He also claims his age played a factor.

The complaint was filed will the Illinois Department of Human Rights Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Chicago.

Messages left with both the Joliet Housing Authority and Carlson Construction were not returned.

In October 2016, workers complained that the JHA was denying minority businesses and residents contracts and employment.

JHA CEO Michael Simelton said at the time that the allegations were of great concern and issued the following statement:

“The HAJ is fully committed to complying with all of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) requirements including the Section 3 regulation. In an effort to maximize on our Section 3 compliance, the HAJ recently secured the services of the nation’s leading Section 3 compliance services consulting firm (Motivation, Inc.) to provide a new and updated Section 3 policy, in depth implementation procedures and a complete solicitation package for use in all our contracting. This new policy was approved by our Board of Commissioners on September 21, 2016. Motivation, Inc. just completed internal regulatory training for all HAJ staff engaged in any procurement, management, or hiring of direct employment or service contracts on August 15, 2016. Motivation, Inc. has recently conducted meetings with our development partner and local contractors to help explain the requirements of Section 3.”