MINISTERS DENY UBER OFFERED THEM MONEY TO LOBBY MAYOR ON PROPOSED FEE HIKE

Ride-share passengers downtown are poised to pay higher fares to use Uber and Lyft under a proposal by Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson
Ride-share passengers downtown are poised to pay higher fares to use Uber and Lyft under a proposal by Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson

Ministers Deny Uber Offered Them Money to Lobby Mayor on Proposed Fee Hike

BY WENDELL HUTSON

Contributing Writer

Black ministers are denying an allegation by Mayor Lori Lightfoot that Uber offered them $54 million to lobby her regarding a proposed ride-share fare hike.

“I have not been approached by Uber and I do not know any other minister that was offered money in exchange for their services,” said the Rev. James Meeks, pastor of Salem Baptist Church in Pullman. “If Uber did make such an offer, it’s a secret to me.”

The mayor has proposed increasing fares for single-passenger rides downtown and in outlying neighborhoods to generate $40 million in tax revenue, while also reducing congestion downtown.

The Rev. Byron Brazier, pastor of Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn, echoed the same sentiments of Meeks.

“The first time I heard about this offer was when it came out in the newspaper. I was quite surprised when I heard it,” said Brazier. “What I do know is that I have not heard any ministers talking about it and I try to stay informed about what’s going on in my community.”

The mayor made a stunning allegation against Uber during a Nov. 13 news conference where she claimed Uber had offered black ministers millions of dollars to persuade her to back down from increasing fares.

“In their ongoing efforts to increase their profits and avoid accountability or responsibility, Uber and Lyft are engaging in divide-and-conquer, scare-mongering tactics to target Chicago’s black and brown communities, and pushing out a narrative around my administration’s rideshare proposal that is deliberately misleading,” Lightfoot said in a statement. “That strategy has included offering up $54 million in investments to certain neighborhoods as part of their alternative proposal, all in an effort to avoid regulation.”

However, in a statement, Kelly Quinn, a spokesman for Uber Technologies Inc., denied the mayor’s allegation and instead insisted a counter proposal by Uber would raise millions of dollars for the city.

“The mayor is entitled to her own opinion, but not her own facts. Weeks ago, we shared a proposal that would have raised $54 million more for the city,” said Quinn. “For months, we worked on a proposal that would have raised more money for the city in a more equitable way.”

Lyft officials did not return calls seeking comment.

In the Austin neighborhood on the West Side, the Rev. Ira Acree, pastor of Greater St. John Bible Church, said to his knowledge, “no one in this world is aware of such a proposal” and questioned whether it was a good idea for the mayor to go public about it.

“That was a reckless statement and an insensitive statement the mayor made. It was not one of her better moments as mayor,” said Acree. “But I am glad to see she (Mayor Lightfoot) has since backed off her initial allegation. Uber is not going to offer anyone $54 million let alone black ministers. That amount of money would be a real game changer.”

Acree added that while he is a big supporter of Lightfoot, he hopes Uber and the mayor could come to a resolution on ride-sharing fares.

“She has been an advocate for the poor and a game changer since taking office and I am looking forward to her continuing to do good things on behalf of the people,” said Acree.

After first saying she would release the names of black ministers that she met with earlier this month, Mayoral Press Secretary Anel Ruiz, told the Chicago Citizen, the mayor would not be releasing any names.

“Uber has put forward a proposal that would generate $54 million, which would only increase their profits and do nothing to solve our congestion issues,” explained Ruiz.

“Chicagoans have been subjected to a misinformation campaign backed by individuals who have been enlisted to do the company’s bidding, so Uber can increase its revenues and avoid further regulation by the city.”

Riders said as long as it does not cost them more money to use Uber or Lyft, they could care less if black ministers were offered money.

“I just want to be able to take my kids to school and get to work every week,” said Morgan Simms, 27, a Hyde Park resident, who said she commutes daily to her job in south suburban Hazel Crest. “All this ‘Who Shot John’ talk is ridiculous. Instead of arguing over what was offered to black ministers, maybe they should be discussing how to reduce fares for riders.”

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