Governor Signs Delgado’s Expansion of Opportunities for Minority and Women Owned Businesses into Law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Today, state Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado’s (D-Chicago) bill, to streamline and expand opportunities for minority and women owned businesses, was signed into law by Governor Pritzker.

Currently, entrepreneurs need to certify with the State of Illinois that their business is minority- or woman-owned, even if they are already certified with the City of Chicago or Cook County. This needless, over burdensome paperwork has closed the door for far too many businesses from working on State or public university projects. Today, with HB132 signed into law, all businesses certified by Chicago or Cook County will automatically be eligible to work on State or public university projects as a part of their minority participation program.

“This is great news for our members,” said Jacky Gomez, ED of HACIA. “Thank you Rep Eva-Dina Delgado, Senator Tony Munoz, and Governor Pritzker for cutting the red tape and opening up opportunities to Hispanic-owned businesses.”    

“When I learned how much needless paperwork was standing in the way of Latinx, Black, and women owned businesses from getting their fair share of business opportunities, it was so important to me that I wanted it to be the very first bill I passed as a legislator,” Delgado said. “I will continue to demand equity in contracting and am grateful for the support of my colleagues, especially Senator Munoz and Governor Pritzker, to open the door for minority and women owned businesses.”

“I am committed to making it easier for our businesses to work with the government, not harder. Cutting red tape to give our businesses opportunities is something I am proud to spearhead in the Senate,” said Senator Tony Munoz.

The new rules go into effect on January 1, 2022.