The Metro East Black Contractors Organization is suing the Illinois Department of Transportation for racial bias in awarding construction contracts.  Eric Vickers, MEBCO's attorney, says IDOT should have more well-defined quotas for minority contractors.

[audio:rddDiscrim1.mp3]A Word From Vickers[/audio]

IDOT commissioned a study earlier this year which found they award contracts to minority businesses at a lower rate than others.  The suit seeks 650-million dollars in damages that would be set aside in a trust fund for assistance to minority contractors.