On Friday, August 27th Governor Pritzker signed Representative Eva-Dina Delgado’s bill into law to open up opportunities for minority and women owned businesses by cutting red tape on state projects.
Currently, entrepreneurs need to certify with the State of Illinois that their business is minority- or woman-owned, even if they are already certified with the City of Chicago or Cook County. This needless, intrusive paperwork has closed the door for thousands of businesses from working on State or public university projects. Today, with HB132 signed into law, all businesses certified by Chicago or Cook County are automatically eligible to work on State or public university projects as part of their minority participation program.
“This is great news for our members,” said Jackie Gomez, Executive Director of HACIA. “Thank you to Rep Delgado, Senator Tony Munoz and Governor Pritzker for cutting the red tape and opening up opportunities for Hispanic-owned businesses.”
“When I learned how much needless paperwork was standing in the way of Latinx, Black, and women owned businesses from getting their fair share of business opportunities, it was so important to me that I wanted it to be the very first bill I passed as a legislator,” said Rep. Delgado. “I will continue to demand equity in contracting and am grateful for the support of my colleagues, especially Senator Munoz and Governor Pritzker, to open the door for minority and women owned businesses.”
“I am committed to making it easier for our businesses to work with the government, not harder. Cutting red tape to give our businesses opportunities is something I am proud to spearhead in the Senate,” said Senator Tony Munoz.
The new rules go into effect on January 1, 2022.
