(20 ILCS 2705/2705-593)

Sec. 2705-593. Office of Business and Workforce Diversity.

(a) The Office of Business and Workforce Diversity is established within the Department.

(b) The Office shall administer and be responsible for the Department's efforts to achieve greater diversity in its construction projects and in promoting equal opportunities within the Department. The responsibilities of the Office shall be administered between 2 distinct bureaus, designed to establish policy, procedures, and monitoring efforts pursuant to the governing regulations supporting minorities and those supporting women in contracting and workforce activities.

(c) Applicant firms must be found eligible to be certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program under the federal regulations contained in 49 CFR part 26 and part 23. Only those businesses that are involved in highway construction-related services (non-vertical), consultant, and supplier/equipment rental/trucking services may be considered for participation in the Department's DBE program. Once certified, the firm's name shall be listed in the Illinois Unified Certification Program's (IL UCP) DBE Directory (Directory). The IL UCP's 5 participating agencies shall maintain the Directory to provide a reference source to assist bidders and proposers in meeting DBE contract goals. The Directory shall list the firms in alphabetical order and provides the industry categories/list and the districts in which the firms have indicated they are available.

(Source: P.A. 96-795, eff. 7-1-10 (see Section 5 of P.A. 96-793 for the effective date of changes made by P.A. 96-795); 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)