In the spring of 2017, Debra Parker — a longtime public housing tenant activist from the South Side — and her boyfriend Charles Bell met at a Dunkin Donuts shop on 79th Street and Cicero Avenue for a board meeting of a new janitorial firm called Parks and Bell Cleaning Co.

Documents obtained through a public records request show Bell owned the company, but he made only $3,000 from Parks and Bell during the previous year, while the fledgling business paid Parker even less — just $800 in 2016.

During that board meeting on April 2, 2017, though, “It was discussed that Parks and Bell will seek new contract opportunities,” according to meeting minutes.

The fortunes of Parks and Bell improved quickly and dramatically. It soon became one of three companies with close ties to Parker to enjoy bo

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