Utility Providers Form the Illinois Utilities Business Diversity Council

l-r:: Anne Pramaggiore, Chief Executive Officer and President, ComEd; Beth Reese, Chief Financial Officer, AGL Resources, and former president of Nicor Gas; Sherina E. Maye, Illinois Commerce Commissioner; Shelia Hill-Morgan, President, Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council; Evelyn Sanguinetti, Lieutenant Governor of Illinois; and Bruce Hauk, Illinois American Water President.
l-r:: Anne Pramaggiore, Chief Executive Officer and President, ComEd; Beth Reese, Chief Financial Officer, AGL Resources, and former president of Nicor Gas; Sherina E. Maye, Illinois Commerce Commissioner; Shelia Hill-Morgan, President, Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council; Evelyn Sanguinetti, Lieutenant Governor of Illinois; and Bruce Hauk, Illinois American Water President.

Six of Illinois’ largest utility providers recently united to announce the formation of the Illinois Utilities Business Diversity Council (IUBDC) at the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St. in Chicago.

The IUBDC’s mission is to advance the growth of utility-based diverse businesses in the state of Illinois by cultivating business opportunities, technical development and the sharing of best practices.

Illinois Utilities Business Diversity Council member companies include Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Illinois American Water, Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas and Peoples Gas.

IUBDC members spent approximately $708 million on goods and services provided by minority, women and veteran-owned businesses. In addition, the companies spent approximately $440 million with small businesses in 2014.

“ComEd has a long history of diverse supplier engagement, and through the investments we're making we have a great opportunity to increase our spending with partners who are helping us to innovate and create solutions that enhance our ability to add value to customers,” said Anne Pramaggiore, president and CEO, ComEd.

Illinois Commerce Commissioner (ICC) Sherina E. Maye is encouraged by IUBDC’s potential.

“The Illinois Commerce Commission is pleased the utilities, through this Council, now have a forum that will help them collaboratively increase procurement with diverse suppliers,” said Commissioner Maye. “It is my hope that the Council will not only support best practice sharing, but also serve as a resource to the Commission and other stakeholders by keeping us apprised of common trends, developments, challenges and solutions that will support the continued growth of supplier diversity.”

Once a year, the IUBDC will submit a written report informing the Illinois Commerce Commission on its activities and progress towards its meeting goals and objectives.

The IUBDC will also coordinate an annual an emphasis will be placed procurement goals for minority- owned, women-owned, veteran-owned and small business enterprises.

“Each of the participating companies has demonstrated that being inclusive at every level leads to improved services for our customers,” said Richard J. Mark, president of Ameren Illinois. “By actively bringing diverse businesses into our supply chains, we're opening up new avenues for job creation and building stronger communities throughout Illinois.”

To learn more about each utility company’s involvement in the Illinois Utilities Business Diversity Council visit:

• https://www.comed.com/Pages/default.aspx

• http://www.ameren.com/illinois

• http://www.amwater.com/ilaw/

• https://www.nicorgas.com/

• http://www.northshoregasdelivery.com/

• http://www.peoplesgasdelivery.com/

“Establishing a common framework through which we can more effectively collaborate and measure the success of our efforts will help all members in their efforts to engage certified diverse suppliers,” said John Kleczynski, president, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas.

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