Rep. Delgado Highlights Virtual Workshops for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program

CHICAGO – State Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado, D-Chicago, wants to let her community know that free virtual workshops hosted by the Illinois Department of Transportation are available to Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms who compete for federally-funded transportation projects. 

“Businesses owned and operated by people of color face an uphill battle when it comes to competing for contracts in the public sector,” Delgado said. “Costs associated with starting a business are often assets unavailable to minority groups, obstacles to obtaining and keeping a license, and other institutional barriers can keep people from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds from succeeding. The skills taught and the resources available to the socially and economically disadvantaged business owners in my community will go a long way.” 

Workshops are available through April with topics including insurance, bidding processes, and how businesses can be certified for a DBE designation. Businesses must register for the workshops in advance. 

Below are a list of the workshops posted for the month of November: 

• Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to noon: Expansion of Work Category Codes
• Nov. 3, 10 a.m. to noon: QuickBooks Part 1- Setting up your company
• Nov. 8, 10 a.m. to noon: Accounting Best Practices & Financial Reporting
• Nov. 10, 10 a.m. to noon: Improving Your Personal & Business (D&B) Credit Score
• Nov. 15, 10 a.m. to noon: Navigating the IDOT Website (Basic)
• Nov. 17, 10 a.m. to noon: Navigating the IDOT Website (Advanced)
• Nov. 29, 10 a.m. to noon: QuickBooks Part 2 – Performing Day to Day, Part 2

“Essential knowledge such as navigating application portals, having and completing the right documents, and setting yourself up for success are some of the important things available in these workshops,” Delgado said. “I encourage businesses in my community to take advantage of this opportunity.” 

More information from IDOT and DBE designation are available at  www.idot.illinois.gov/dbe.