GOVERNOR BRUCE RAUNER IS SIGNING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO ENSURE ALL BUSINESSES HAVE AN EQUAL SHOT AT GETTING A STATE CONTRACT.
THE ORDER FOCUSES ON BUSINESSES OWNED BY MINORITIES, WOMEN AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. IT DIRECTS THE STATE’S PURCHASING AGENCY TO IMPLEMENT REFORMS FROM LAST YEAR’S DISPARITY STUDY LIKE MENTORING PROGRAMS AND GUIDING THESE BUSINESSES THROUGH THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS.
GOVERNOR RAUNER IS ASKING THE STATE’S PURCHASING AGENCY TO IMPLEMENT SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE STUDY…TO HELP EVEN THE PLAYING FIELD FOR UNDERREPRESENTED BUSINESSES.
THE STATE WILL ALSO LOOK AT THE USE OF SHELTERED MARKETS WHERE SOME CONTRACTS ARE SET ASIDE FOR UNDERREPRESENTED BUSINESSES.