SB3805 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 38461 MXP 68597 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB3805

Introduced 2/9/2024, by Sen. Celina Villanueva

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 605/605-1032 new

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law. Creates the Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment. Provides that the Office shall assist minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, and other underserved communities and constituencies through targeted programs, resources, and outreach and promotional activities. Provides that the Office may engage in or conduct promoting and conducting outreach efforts to ensure access to State and federal funding opportunities, and assisting minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and businesses owned by persons with disabilities and other underserved communities and constituencies in applying for and receiving loan funds in the State. Provides that the Office may engage in other specified workshops, public forums, and other functions that assist minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, and other underserved communities and constituencies.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning transportation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding Section 605-1032 as follows:

(20 ILCS 605/605-1032 new)

Sec. 605-1032. Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Office" means the Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment.

(b) The Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment is hereby created within the Department. The Office shall assist minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, and other underserved communities and constituencies through targeted programs, resources, and outreach and promotional activities. The Office may engage in or conduct the following activities:

(1) promoting and conducting outreach efforts to ensure access to State and federal funding opportunities, and assisting minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, and other underserved communities and constituencies in applying for and receiving loan funds in the State;

(2) providing and hosting workshops and public forums and engaging in outreach efforts for minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, and other underserved communities and constituencies to encourage participation in programs under the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act, and assisting those businesses in becoming designated under that Act and under similar certification programs;

(3) providing and hosting workshops and public forums and engaging in outreach efforts that assist and educate minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, and other underserved communities and constituencies on the process of applying for and becoming certified to apply for State grant funds under the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act;

(4) providing and hosting workshops and public forums and engaging in outreach efforts that assist and educate aspiring and existing minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, and other underserved communities and constituencies with understanding concepts such as, but not limited to, business formation, business planning, capital access, and marketing a business;

(5) administering programs established by the Department or the General Assembly to provide grants to minority-owned businesses, woman-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, and other underserved communities and constituencies;

(6) coordinating assistance for minority-owned businesses, woman-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, and other underserved communities and constituencies with other State agencies;

(7) providing staff, administration, and related support required to administer this Section; and

(8) establishing applications, notifications, contracts, and other forms and procedures, and adopting rules deemed necessary and appropriate.

(c) The Office may use vendors or contract work to carry out the purposes of this Act.