Olympic Spirit Makes Its Way to CBA

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Gyata Kimmons, Chicago 2016 community relations director, talked to members of the Chatham Business Association about how they can participate in the Summer Olympic Games. Photo by: Lesley R. Chinn.
Gyata Kimmons, Chicago 2016 community relations director, talked to members of the Chatham Business Association about how they can participate in the Summer Olympic Games. Photo by: Lesley R. Chinn.

by Lesley R. Chinn

A month before the International Olympics Committee (IOC) is scheduled to visit Chicago to analyze the citys file and to make onsite inspections, a member of the Chicago 2016 Olympic Committee updated the Chatham Business Association (CBA) about the summer games and how they can get involved.

At a CBA meeting held Tuesday at South Central Community Services, Gyata Kimmons, Chicago 2016

community relations director, said the Committees bid book was submitted last month to the IOC.

Last December, Chicago 2016 announced results of an independent study outlining how Chicago could

benefit economically just by hosting the games. The study found that the games are expected to generate more than $22.5 billion in Illinois. Of those funds, Chicago is expected to generate $13.7 billion during the 11-year-span from 2011 through 2021. More than 315,000 jobs are expected to be created during this period in Illinois while officials anticipate 172,000 of those jobs will be in Chicago, Kimmons stated.

The proposed 2016 Olympic event venues include: Washington Park; Douglas Park; Grant Park; Jackson

Park; Northerly Island; Monroe Harbor and Lincoln Park. The cornerstones of the bids plan also includes the United Center, Soldier Field and McCormick Place.

Since Washington Park will be at the heart of the proposed Olympic Games, questions were raised about how existing events such as the Bud Biliken Day Parade and Picnic; the African Arts Festival, and UniverSoul Circus would be impacted. Kimmons said alternative locations for these events are currently being determined.

By working closely with the Chicago Park District and the community, Kimmons stated that Chicago 2016 will ensure that every park that is used as a venue will be left in better shape after the games.

In October, the IOC will pick a city to host the 2016 Olympic Games. The announcement will be made at the 121st IOC Session in Denmark. If Chicago is selected, Kimmons estimated that the games will provide a $450 million surplus for Chicago. More than 500,000 tickets will be distributed to youth. In addition, 51 percent of tickets to the games will be priced below $50. The current operating budget for the Olympics is $3.8 billion. The budget is 100 percent privately financed.

While Chicago competes for the Olympic Games against Madrid, Spain; Tokyo, Japan, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Kimmons said there have been numerous events hosted citywide in Chicago to help promote the Olympics.

Kimmons showed CBA members a brief video presentation about aspiring Olympic athletes who talked

about their dreams of going for the Gold. After showing the video presentation, Kimmons addressed how the CBA, which is comprised of more than 800 businesses in the Chatham and surrounding area, can get involved.

Kimmons said the games are for everyone to enjoy and now is the time to get a business plan together. If businesses wait until the last minute, he said they will miss out on opportunities such as construction contracts, vendor services and creating jobs.

Other items of interest:

Eddie Rasul, affirmative action compliance officer for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, encouraged businesses to take advantage of contracting opportunities, while Mary Avent, Exelon senior investigator of corporate security, informed CBA members to beware of individuals stealing electricity from companies and homes. To inquire about contracting opportunities at the Water Reclamation District, call (312) 751-4037. To report electric theft, call ComEd at 1-800-550-6154 or

Cook County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-535-7867.

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