OTHER ILLINOIS BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS AND LEGAL RESOURCES
1871 – Chicago’s Technology and Entrepreneur Center
BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM – STATE OF ILLINOIS
https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/business/sell2/bep/Pages/Default.aspx
The Business Enterprise Program for businesses owned by minorities, women, and persons with disabilities is committed to fostering an inclusive and competitive business environment that will help business enterprises increase their capacity, grow revenue, and enhance credentials.
BIDBUY
https://www.illinois.gov/cpo/PathwayToProcurement/Pages/BidBuy.aspx
The State of Illinois is proud to announce the implementation of a web-based eProcurement system called, BidBuy. State agencies will use BidBuy to advertise solicitation opportunities, evaluate bids, and publish contract awards. It will become the State’s primary solution for sourcing and placing orders from vendors for the CPO – General Services.
BEP Certification Portal (please create an account and apply here) BEP Certification is FREE!!!
https://cms.diversitycompliance.com/
Link to the BEP general information page: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/business/sell2/bep/pages/vendor_registration.aspx
Link to the BEP online events calendar: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/events/SitePages/List.aspx
Link to BEP’s annual report: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/business/sell2/bep/Documents/BEP_Council_Documents/Business_Enterprise_Program_FY2017_Report.pdf
City of Chicago - Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP)
https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/bacp.html
The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) licenses, educates, regulates and empowers Chicago businesses to grow and succeed as well as, receives and processes consumer complaints.
BACP provides bi-weekly and monthly informative sessions to help businesses act responsibly and create economic vitality and vibrant communities for the people in Chicago. BACP also educates small business and consumers to ensure the public is protected against fraudulent practices and investigates for business compliance in areas such as: sales practices, fuel, natural gas, electricity, durable and non-durable merchandise and services.
Additionally, BACP enforces rules and regulations relating to liquor establishments, weights and measures, public chauffeurs, public passenger vehicles, ambulances, and transportation network providers.
CASE - CHICAGO ANCHORS FOR A STRONG ECONOMY
http://www.worldbusinesschicago.com/case/
Fostering strategic relationships between anchor institutions (universities, cultural institutions, hospitals, government, businesses, etc.) and small businesses who can supply their needs, to build economic vitality across Chicago's neighborhoods
Chicago Lawyers Committee – Community Law Project
https://www.clccrul.org/community-law-project
The Community Law Project helps to build, strengthen, and support community-based organizations that are focused on economic development in Chicago’s low-income neighborhoods and that offer the delivery of social services to residents of these areas.
We bring hope to impoverished neighborhoods by supporting small businesses and home ownership. Working with volunteers from Chicago’s top law firms, the Community Law Project's expert legal staff provides nonprofit leaders and small businesses owners the knowledge to sustain the quality of their programs, improve outcomes, and spur economic development.
We recognize that structural racism is a major contributor toward economic injustice; we work to eradicate racism and end poverty in our city and coordinate our activities in close working relationship with our community partners.
Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC)
http://icic.org/urban-business-initiatives/inner-city-capital-connections/
ICCC is an executive education and training program with the goal of promoting economic prosperity in underserved communities. It helps established urban small businesses create and maintain sustainable growth and, in turn, create more good jobs where they are needed most. It is the country’s only program that educates inner city businesses about different forms of capital and then connects them with potential capital providers.
FAQs - http://icic.org/urban-business-initiatives/inner-city-capital-connections/iccc-faqs/
Chicago - http://icic.org/urban-business-initiatives/inner-city-capital-connections/chicago/
Illinois Department of Commerce
https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/Pages/default.aspx
Our mission is to provide economic opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, and residents that improve the quality of life for all Illinoisans. We are laser-focused on improving transparency and accountability, enhancing customer service, increasing Illinois’ competitiveness, advancing minority empowerment, modernizing Illinois’ workforce, and elevating our state’s promotional efforts.
Illinois Department of Commerce - Illinois Office of Minority Economic Empowerment
https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/AboutDCEO/Pages/MinEcoEmp.aspx
The Office of Minority Economic Empowerment will focus and promote opportunities for all minority communities across the state through targeted programs, resources and advocates. The goal is to ensure minority enterprises have an equal opportunity to contribute to the growth of the Illinois economy and serve as an advocate for businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups in traditionally economically-disadvantaged groups.
Illinois State Procurement Sites:
It is recommended that you register with each to ensure you receive notifications on all bidding opportunities that match the goods and services that your company provides.
Illinois Procurement Bulletin: www.purchase.state.il.us
Public Institutions of Higher Education: www.procure.stateuniv.state.il.us
Capital Development Board: www.illinois.gov/cdb
Illinois Department of Transportation: www.idot.illinois.gov
Illinois Tollway Authority: www.illinoistollway.com
Illinois Workers’ Compensation Committee (IWCC)
https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/iwcc/Pages/default.aspx
Workers' compensation is a no-fault system of benefits paid by employers to workers who experience work-related injuries or diseases.
The Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission resolves disputes between employees and employers regarding work-related injuries and illnesses. A case is first tried by an arbitrator, whose decision may be reviewed by a panel of three commissioners. Cases may then be appealed to the circuit court, Appellate Court, and Illinois Supreme Court. Like most court systems, the vast majority of disputes are resolved by settlement.
Our staff will explain Commission procedures and case status information but cannot answer specific legal questions regarding a case.
Minority Business Development Association
Who We Are
MBDA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce that promotes the growth of minority-owned business through the mobilization and advancement of public and private sector programs, policy, and research.
What We Do
We work throughout the Nation to link minority-owned businesses with the capital, contracts, and markets they need to grow. We advocate and promote minority-owned business with elected officials, policy makers, and business leaders. Serving as subject matter experts and advocates for the minority business community, we conduct high quality research and cultivate domestic and international relationships.
Society of Military Engineers (SAME)
The Society of American Military Engineers leads collaborative efforts to identify and resolve national security infrastructure-related challenges. Founded in 1920, SAME unites public and private sector individuals and organizations from across the architecture, engineering, construction, environmental and facility management, cyber security, project planning, contracting and acquisition, and related disciplines in support of national security.
Chicago Post - https://www.same.org/Chicago
The Chicago Post accomplishes this goal locally by supporting monthly luncheon meetings and other professional/social activities attended by members of local government, military, private industry, students and other interested parties. These meetings are announced via our e-mail distribution list and quarterly newsletter.
Service Corps Of Retired Executives (SCORE)
SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. We have been doing this for more than 50 years.
Because our work is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and thanks to our network of 10,000+ volunteers, we are able to deliver our services at no charge or at a very low cost.
Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC)
The mission of the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) is to support and accelerate business development and growth, targeting women and serving all diverse business owners, in order to strengthen their participation in, and impact on, the economy.
Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI)
10437 INNOVATION DR., SUITE 320
MILWAUKEE, WI 53226
P: 414-270-3600
F: 414-270-3610
The Wisconsin Procurement Institute, a non-profit organization established in 1987, is an outgrowth of then Congressman Les Aspin’s efforts to help Wisconsin businesses win federal contracts, especially defense contracts.
WPI’s mission is to assist Wisconsin businesses in all of Wisconsin’s 72 counties to create, develop and grow their Federal, State and Local Government sales, revenues, profits and jobs.
The management and staff have been particularly helpful to businesses in Illinois and for this, we give our enduring thanks!