Chicago Schools moving forward with contract despite inquiry

June 25—Chicago Public Schools is “moving forward” with a preliminary decision to award a huge foodservice contract to a division of Aramark Corp. But a probe into the matter by CPS Inspector General Jim Sullivan is continuing.

That's the latest on a flap first reported last week over whether CPS school lunch chief Leslie Fowler, who until last fall worked for Aramark, has recused herself fully from the contract bidding process, as she was supposed to have done.

In an email, CPS spokeswoman Kelly Quinn said, "Allegations of unfairness regarding the solicitation process were referred to the Office of the Inspector General. While the OIG investigation is ongoing, based on preliminary information there is insufficient evidence at this time to stop the contract award and we are comfortable moving forward."