(20 ILCS 605/605-500) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.13)

Sec. 605-500. Business Assistance Office. To create a Business Assistance Office to do the following:

(1) Provide information to new and existing businesses for all State government forms and applications and make this information readily available through a business permit center. The Office shall not assume any regulatory function. All State agencies shall cooperate with the business permit center to provide the necessary information, materials, and assistance to enable the center to carry out its function in an effective manner. Each agency shall designate an individual to serve as liaison to the center to provide information and materials and to respond to requests for assistance from businesses.

(2) Provide technical and managerial assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses by (i) contracting with local development organizations, chambers of commerce, and industry or trade associations with technical and managerial expertise located in the State, whenever possible, and (ii) establishing a network of small business development centers throughout the State.

(3) Assess the fiscal impact of proposed rules upon small business and work with agencies in developing flexible regulations through a regulatory review program.

(4) Provide detailed and comprehensive assistance to businesses interested in obtaining federal or State government contracts through a network of local procurement centers. The Department shall make a special and continuing effort to assist minority and female owned businesses, including but not limited to the designation of special minority and female business advocates, and shall make additional efforts to assist those located in labor surplus areas. The Department shall, through its network of local procurement centers, make every effort to provide opportunities for small businesses to participate in the procurement process. The Department shall utilize one or more of the following techniques. These techniques are to be in addition to any other procurement requirements imposed by Public Act 83-1341 or by any other Act.

(A) Advance notice by the Department or other appropriate State entity of possible procurement opportunities should be made available to interested small businesses.

(B) Publication of procurement opportunities in publications likely to be obtained by small businesses.

(C) Direct notification, whenever the Department deems it feasible, of interested small businesses.

(D) Conduct of public hearings and training sessions, when possible, regarding State and federal government procurement policies.

The Department of Central Management Services shall cooperate with the Department in providing information on the method and procedure by which a small business becomes involved in the State or federal government procurement process.

(5) (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 99-933, eff. 1-27-17.)