Larry Huggins

Huggins recovered from bankruptcy in the 1970s via affirmative action for Chicago contractors.{{cite news|title=What they don't tell you about affirmative action|date=August 1995|work=Ebony|author=Chappell, Kevin|page=46|volume=50|issue=10}} He is also and alumnus and the former principal of Englewood Technical Prep Academy.{{cite news|title=Kids thrill to Twista as principal for a day: Choir Academy 'just blew me away,' rap star says|date=October 28, 2005|work=Chicago Sun-Times|author=Ihejirika, Maudlyne|page=14}}{{cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2008-03-13/sports/0803121534_1_bricks-sculpture-cubs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930082451/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2008-03-13/sports/0803121534_1_bricks-sculpture-cubs|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 30, 2015|title=White Sox, Cubs to unveil new statues|access-date=August 4, 2012|date=March 13, 2008|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Mitchell, Fred}} Huggins is among the contractors who built AT&T Corporate Center (now known as Franklin Center).{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/business/chi-macarthur-foundation-exec-built-her-career-from-a-mix-of-public-private-experience-and-dashes-of-chance-risk-20120613,0,1917921.story?page=2|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127191737/http://www.latimes.com/business/chi-macarthur-foundation-exec-built-her-career-from-a-mix-of-public-private-experience-and-dashes-of-chance-risk-20120613,0,1917921.story?page=2|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 27, 2013|title=MacArthur Foundation exec built her career from a mix of public, private experience and dashes of chance, risk|access-date=August 3, 2012|date=February 20, 2012|work=Los Angeles Times|author=Bergen, Kathy}} He served as vice president of Black Contractors United in the mid-1990s.{{cite web|title=2 Chicago Companies To Oversee United Center Convention Project|date=May 23, 1996|work=Chicago Tribune|last=Franklin|first=Stephen|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1996/05/23/2-chicago-companies-to-oversee-united-center-convention-project/}}{{cite web|url=http://markets.on.nytimes.com/research/stocks/news/press_release.asp?docTag=201207231544PR_NEWS_USPRX____DC44703&feedID=600&press_symbol=194293|title=Chicago Clean Energy Project Will Have Significant Economic Impact on Illinois|access-date=August 3, 2012|date=July 24, 2012|work=The New York Times}} Huggins is the founder of the annual Chicago Football Classic college football game played at Soldier Field between two historically black colleges and universities.{{cite news|title=Football classic's field of dreams|date=August 31, 2006|work=Chicago Sun-Times|author=Jackson, Cheryl V.|page=49}} He was appointed to the board of directors of Metra by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1997 and became acting chairman in April 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/01/30/whos-who-on-metra-board/|title=Who's who on Metra board: 11 members who OK'd fare hike are political appointees|access-date=August 3, 2012|date=January 3, 2012|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Wronski, Richard}} The board was supposed to select a permanent chairman from within its ranks by July 2011, but Huggins felt the chairmanship was a Republican position and withdrew himself from consideration.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/05/13/soaring-fuel-costs-vex-metra-officials/|title=Soaring fuel costs vex Metra officials: Diesel prices threaten to cause $19 million overrun|access-date=August 4, 2012|date=May 13, 2011|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Wronski, Richard}} Huggins served as acting chairman until November 2, 2012 when he was replaced by Brad O'Halloran.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/11/02/orland-park-trustee-named-new-metra-chairman/|title=Orland Park trustee named new Metra chairman|access-date=May 17, 2014|date=November 2, 2012|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Wronski, Richard}} Huggins resigned from the board in August 2013 days after O'Halloran resigned.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/08/03/metra-deals-with-leadership-vacuum/|title=Metra deals with leadership vacuum|access-date=May 17, 2014|date=August 3, 2013|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Wronski, Richard, Michelle Manchir and Stacy St. Clair}} Huggins' resignation came after conversations with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel about a patronage scandal.{{cite web|url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/21688057-452/emanuel-pushes-larry-huggins-off-metra-board.html#.U3fc-yhzeLY|title=Emanuel pushes Larry Huggins off Metra Board|access-date=May 17, 2014|date=August 3, 2013|work=Chicago Sun-Times|author=Spielman, Fran}}

His company has been involved in construction at O'Hare International Airport and McCormick Place,{{cite news|title=Daley Slams Demonstrators|date=December 15, 1994|work=Chicago Sun-Times|author=Spielman, Fran|page=3}} including the $115 million no-bid contract to manage the airport's people-mover system.{{cite news|title=Contractor with Daley ties gets O'Hare deal|date=January 6, 2012|work=Chicago Sun-Times|author=Spielman, Fran|page=8}} Riteway Construction Services Inc. was the general contractor for Cook County Hospital.{{cite news|title=Riteway Construction|date=February 12, 2001|work=Chicago Sun-Times|author=Knowles, Francine|page=56}} His company's role with the County Hospital was controversial when Riteway missed filing its 1997 corporate annual report, leading the Illinois Secretary of State to dissolve the company on January 2, 1998 just prior to the spring 1998 groundbreaking for the $551 million, 464-bed hospital that was four years in the making.{{cite news|title=County Hospital bids OKd - 2 contractors will share pact for $301 million |date=February 10, 1998|work=Chicago Sun-Times|author=Brown, Mark|page=3}}

Huggins spent part of his youth in Atlanta and part of it in the Englewood community area of Chicago.{{cite news|title=Who doesn't have to work on MLK Day?: Survey: About 3 in 10 employers give day off|date=January 16, 2012|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Rhodes, Dawn}}{{cite news|title=Lawmakers urge Metra to reject bridge contract|date=May 12, 2012|publisher=McClatchy - Tribune Business News|author=Wronski, Richard}} His sister, Phyllis, died in 1992.{{cite news|title=Kup's Column|date=July 31, 1992|work=Chicago Sun-Times|author=Kupcinet, Irv|page=48}}

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Category:1950 births

Category:Living people

Category:Businesspeople from Chicago