du Buclet Introduces Legislation to Examine Supplier Diversity in Illinois’ Hospital Systems

CHICAGO – Illinois’ hospitals would report on their efforts to include women and people of color among their suppliers under legislation filed earlier this week by state Rep. Kimberly du Buclet, D- Chicago,.

“For years, we have stated that we want to see more women, minorities, veterans and other underrepresented people do business with the state,” said du Buclet. “Yet, some arms of our government simply lack the information to determine where we are and how far along we are in meeting those goals. This legislation addresses that information gap.”

du Buclet introduced House Bill 4113 earlier this week. The measure is du Buclet’s latest of attempt to increase the diversity of the firms that do business with the state. A disproportionate number of white and male-owned businesses are often able to win bids and secure contracts, while minority and women-led businesses languish. If adopted, du Buclet’s legislation will require all hospitals in the state to produce comprehensive annual financial reports that detail their operating budgets and capital. du Buclet’s bill would provide policymakers with a better understanding of how far along the state is in meeting its supplier diversity goals in the healthcare sector. Currently, the state has a 10 percent supplier diversity goal across all industries.

“There are many Black-owned, women-owned and native-owned businesses that have the capacity to do the sort of work that the state needs,” said du Buclet. “This report will finally let us concretely see where we are and determine what we must do to meet and eventually exceed our diversity goals.”

“SEIU Local 73 applauds Representative du Buclet’s bill to examine supplier diversity in Illinois’ hospital systems,” said Dian Palmer, President of SEIU Local 73. “Our union represents more than 27,000 services workers in Illinois who are predominantly Black and Brown. Increasing the diversity of firms that do business with the state, especially in healthcare, is very important.”

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