Make Minority Contracting Reforms Now

The purpose of minority contracting programs such as the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) and Disadvantage Business Enterprise Program (DBE) is to help minority contractors obtain government contracts. The BEP program focuses on minority and women owned businesses participating in the State’s procurement process as both prime and subcontractors. The stated goal of the BEP is to award 11% of contacting opportunities to minorities. The central aim of the DBE program is to increase minority participation on federally funded contracts awarded to minority-owned and disadvantaged businesses.

Illinois has failed Black and Brown businesses through its implementation of the BEP and DBE programs. Indeed, the government has badly missed its BEP goals. With respect to the DBE, the 2018 US Department of Transportation DBE report finds Illinois ranking 47th among all states and the District of Columbia in terms of meeting minority contracting goals.

The BEP and DBE programs are riddled with loopholes and non-compulsory targets. Minority contracting goals are waived if an agency or contractor makes a “good faith effort” at finding a qualified minority owed business. Reforms must be made to this good faith waiver. The certification process is complicated and confusing, especially for business owners without the resources to wade through complex legislation and confusing requirements. There is lack of transparency and inadequate oversight. Goals are not met and as a result, Black and Brown businesses are not being awarded their fair share of government contracts.