Essay 521

There’s something about Chicago’s Black advertising agencies and public relations firms that inspires audits from state officials.

Last year, RJ Dale Advertising came under fire when the company was audited over the billing for the Illinois State Lottery account (see Essays 55 and 64, among others). After months of publicized arguments and scrutiny, including nasty attacks on Lottery officials by local advertising columnist Lewis Lazare, the minority-owned agency was essentially cleared of any wrongdoing. Although one can only wonder about the residual damages RJ Dale suffered from such negative assaults.

This year, Danielle Ashley Communications, Universal MazJac Enterprises and E. Morris Communications received public lashings from Illinois Auditor General William Holland. The companies were hired to create work to inform Chicago motorists about a highway reconstruction project. But Holland’s audit found the Illinois Department of Transportation could not produce adequate documentation for nearly $500,000 worth of services rendered. Additionally, Holland probed the decisions and tactics of the three shops.

The Chicago Sun-Times and The Chicago Tribune ran stories, with Tribune journalists arguably rushing to judgment via semi-slanted writing. The Chicago Defender, a Black-focused newspaper, countered by printing the agencies’ perspectives.

Holland insists the audit takes aim at IDOT, yet his findings and implications clearly strike Danielle Ashley Communications, Universal MazJac Enterprises and E. Morris Communications.

Danielle Ashley Communications President Tracey Alston vehemently labeled Holland’s report “a blatant lie” — even displaying an independent audit to dispute the Illinois Auditor General’s accusations. The independent audit uncovered $7,790 in discrepancies that Alston claimed were “resolved,” while Holland’s audit showed $390,201 in potential screw-ups. Alston also cried racism, stating that Black businesses face greater inspection and suspicion from state officials like Holland.

E. Morris Communications founder and CEO Eugene Morris said, “EMC has never been accused of any type of malfeasance on any type of contract over all of the 18 years we have been in business. We highly resent implications to the contrary that have been reported in the media. We view our work with IDOT (or any other governmental entity) as a public trust. As taxpayers ourselves, we are just as concerned about wasteful spending as anyone else. We were awarded this contract based on our proven skills and abilities and have performed our duties in a manner that is consistent with our reputation for quality, integrity and transparency.”

RJ Dale Advertising founder Robert J. Dale declined to weigh in on the situation and said, “I don’t trust myself to make any comment on record for fear that it might get me audited.”

IDOT officials actually admitted they’re responsible for much of the mess. “Part of [the problem] is IDOT's fault,” an IDOT spokesman confessed. “Some of our staff were not properly trained. Plus, when you are working with some new and emerging companies, they are not always accustomed to bureaucratic red tape that comes with working for a state agency.”

Gee, that statement could mean Danielle Ashley Communications, Universal MazJac Enterprises and E. Morris Communications don’t have the lying skills and borderline criminal savvy of political creatures like Holland. Yeah, these Black enterprises may be way out of their league right now.

This is definitely a complex drama. Readers are encouraged to do a Google search for more details. But the net results suck for nearly everyone concerned, especially Chicago’s Black advertising agencies and public relations firms. The mere suggestion of racism taints an already ugly spectacle. As if the industry needs more incentives to dissuade minorities from seeking careers in the field.

In the meantime, minority-owned companies in Chicago should think twice before partnering with state agencies. Unless you want to be put into a state of paranoia.