A subcontractor involved in the construction of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago is suing one of the primary firms managing the project for $40 million, alleging racial discrimination and unfair business practices that nearly bankrupted his company. Robert McGee, the owner of II in One, filed a lawsuit last month against Thornton Tomasetti, a New York-based structural engineering firm. McGee claims that Thornton Tomasetti’s actions, which included changing project standards and enforcing stricter rebar requirements, forced his company to shoulder significant additional costs and delays.
According to the lawsuit, Thornton Tomasetti altered the rebar spacing and tolerance specifications, deviating from established American Concrete Institute standards. This led to unnecessary inspections, excessive paperwork, and costly project overruns. McGee argues that these actions were not only unfair but discriminatory, as they disproportionately burdened his minority-owned business while allowing non-minority contractors to escape similar scrutiny.
McGee is seeking $40 million in damages, representing the costs his company absorbed, along with its joint venture partner, Concrete Collective. His legal complaint paints a troubling picture, accusing Thornton Tomasetti of targeting II in One unfairly and questioning the firm’s qualifications due to its minority status. The lawsuit claims that these actions pushed McGee’s company to the brink of financial collapse, citing “baseless criticisms and discriminatory accusations.”
While McGee’s legal team contends that the structural engineers unfairly blamed the subcontractors, Thornton Tomasetti argues that the delays and cost overruns were a direct result of II in One’s alleged incompetence. In a memo, the engineering firm claimed that II in One’s “questionable qualifications” were the root cause of the construction issues, adding that they spent hundreds of hours addressing problems caused by the subcontractor’s deficiencies.
The Obama Presidential Center, a $830 million project slated for completion in 2026, has faced its share of controversies beyond this lawsuit. Some local activists warn that the center will drive up housing costs and push out longtime residents, while environmental groups have raised concerns about tree removal and the impact on local wildlife habitats. Despite these challenges, President Obama has championed the project, arguing it will revitalize the South Side of Chicago and foster greater unity within the community.
This lawsuit adds another layer of complexity to an already contentious project, raising questions about how minority contractors are treated on large-scale government-funded developments. It also highlights broader concerns over whether the Obama Foundation’s legacy will be overshadowed by disputes over fairness and racial discrimination in construction projects.