Illinois Tollway Hosts Forum to Help Increase Minority Contractors

Norman Parish | As of Wednesday, October 28, 2015

African Americans are roughly 15 percent of the state’s population but get less than 10 percent of Illinois Tollway contracts.

On Thursday, the Illinois Tollway will host a free forum on Chicago’s South Side to help address the disparity. The “Doing Business with the Tollway” event will be held at 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at New Beginnings Church, 6620 S. King Dr.

“The Illinois Tollway has made significant investments throughout Northern Illinois, creating opportunities for a diverse range of businesses to grow and provide jobs,” said Tollway Board Director Corey L. Brooks, who also is pastor of New Beginnings Church. “This event will give small and disadvantaged companies on Chicago’s South Side the chance to learn about new business prospects and participate in projects and contracts with the Tollway.”

There will be information about the Tollway’s 15-year, $12 billion Move Illinois Program, including engineering contracts scheduled to be bid this fall.

Upcoming contract opportunities include roadway reconstruction and interchange work as part of the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project, roadway, landscaping and fencing work as part of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) Rebuilding and Widening Project, bridge rehabilitation along the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) and improvements across the Tollway system.

There also will be design service opportunities for the Central-Tri State Tollway (I-294) and construction management opportunities for construction of the new Illinois Route 390 and other work across the 286-mile Tollway system.

 The Tollway plans to also share information about its 2015 buying plan and outline equipment and materials scheduled to be purchased this year including, plumbing supplies, steel and metals and light-duty trucks, as well as services expected to be provided by vendors, including radiator repair services, vehicle hoist inspection and repair services. 

Between Jan. 1, 2010 and Sept. 30, 2015, the Illinois Tollway paid $3 billion out in construction contracts and professional service contracts.

Disadvantaged, minority and women-owned business enterprises were paid $693.6 million of that amount, or 22.9 percent.

Of the $693.6 million total, $67.6 million, or about 9.7 percent, was paid to African-American-owned business.

At the same time, Hispanic-owned businesses received $313.1 million worth of contracts, or 45.1 percent of the total awarded.

   “The Illinois Tollway and our Board of Directors are committed to reaching out to new firms of all types and sizes to promote opportunities to work on Tollway contracts,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Greg Bealov in a statement. “Our networking events are designed to give business owners the tools and contracts they need to effectively bid on Tollway contracts and to work with state government agencies.”

So that contractors can also learn more about other opportunities in the state, other entities involved in the program include the Capital Development Board, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois Department of Central Management Services and the Illinois Department of Transportation.

For more information, visit the Illinois Tollway’s website at www.illinoistollway.com.

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