(30 ILCS 500/40-20)

Sec. 40-20. Request for information.

(a) Conditions for use. Leases shall be procured by request for information except as otherwise provided in Section 40-15.

(b) Form. A request for information shall be issued and shall include:

(1) the type of property to be leased;

(2) the proposed uses of the property;

(3) the duration of the lease;

(4) the preferred location of the property; and

(5) a general description of the configuration desired.

(c) Public notice. Public notice of the request for information for the availability of real property to lease shall be published in the appropriate volume of the Illinois Procurement Bulletin at least 14 calendar days before the date set forth in the request for receipt of responses and shall also be published in similar manner in a newspaper of general circulation in the community or communities where the using agency is seeking space.

(d) Response. The request for information response shall consist of written information sufficient to show that the respondent can meet minimum criteria set forth in the request. State purchasing officers may enter into discussions with respondents for the purpose of clarifying State needs and the information supplied by the respondents. On the basis of the information supplied and discussions, if any, a State purchasing officer shall make a written determination identifying the responses that meet the minimum criteria set forth in the request for information. Negotiations shall be entered into with all qualified respondents for the purpose of securing a lease that is in the best interest of the State. A written report of the negotiations shall be retained in the lease files and shall include the reasons for the final selection. All leases shall be reduced to writing; one copy shall be filed with the Comptroller in accordance with the provisions of Section 20-80, and one copy each shall be filed with the Board and the Commission on Equity and Inclusion.

When the lowest response by price is not selected, the State purchasing officer shall forward to the chief procurement officer, along with the lease, notice of the identity of the lowest respondent by price and written reasons for the selection of a different response. The chief procurement officer shall publish the written reasons in the next volume of the Illinois Procurement Bulletin.

(e) Board and Commission on Equity and Inclusion review. Upon receipt of (1) any proposed lease of real property of 10,000 or more square feet or (2) any proposed lease of real property with annual rent payments of $100,000 or more, the Procurement Policy Board and the Commission on Equity and Inclusion shall jointly have 30 calendar days to review the proposed lease. The Board and Commission have 30 calendar days to submit a joint objection. If no joint objection is submitted, then the proposed lease shall become effective according to its terms as submitted. The leasing agency shall make any and all materials available to the Board and the Commission on Equity and Inclusion to assist in the review process.

(Source: P.A. 101-657, eff. 1-1-22; 102-29, eff. 6-25-21.)