Hoffman Procurement Measure Encourages Buying Illinois, Buying Local

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – As part of an update to the state’s procurement laws, state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D- Swansea, further strengthened rules that prioritize using Illinois businesses in state-funded projects under a recently signed law.

“Our state is making significant investments in infrastructure, schools and other beneficial initiatives, and we can maximize those benefits by supporting locally-owned businesses that also invest in our state and our people,” Hoffman said. “This measure responsibly updates and streamlines aspects of our procurement code, and effectively targets the use of more Illinois-made products and services.”

Hoffman led passage of House Bill 5511, which served as the General Assembly’s omnibus procurement legislation this session. Included in the measure is an update to the definition of “Illinois business” aimed at further verifying businesses are qualified before becoming eligible for a bid preference. Under the updated definition is a requirement that contractors be operating and headquartered in Illinois for at least one year prior to the invitation for bid or notice of contract opportunity. Businesses that are headquartered out of state will no longer be able to get around this provision by utilizing an affiliate in Illinois.

Additionally, contractors that use false information to try to secure a bid preference could now be subject to a suspension of up to 10 years.

“We’re clarifying our rules to ensure that state dollars are correctly going toward businesses that create and support local jobs,” Hoffman said. “When we’re smart with our investments, we can help to drive economic growth for today and tomorrow.”

House Bill 5511 received bipartisan support and was recently signed into law.

For more information, please contact RepJayHoffman@gmail.com.