Executive Order 2021-2
BUSINESS DIVERSITY PROGRAM REPORTING
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Executive Order 2021-2 (EO) was issued to understand how diverse firms are being utilized on both City contracts and non-City contracts and make the private sector an equal and accountable partner in building a more diverse Chicago.
The EO requires submission of a Business Diversity Program (BDP) and utilization report. Contractors will be asked to provide the following to fulfill the requirements of EO 2021-2, Section 3:
- Background information about your company such as number of employees, annual revenues.
- Whether your firm falls within an itemized exception
- Whether you have a Business Diversity Program
- Information on your utilization of diverse firms, in dollars and in percentages
A dedicated microsite with information, the reporting form, and FAQs can be found at www.chicago.gov/bdp
Reporting deadline – July 1, 2021
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FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Moderated by the City of Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin
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Join the City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services for this educational financial webinar, moderated by the City of Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin and our esteem panelists from JP Morgan Chase, Allies for Community Business, and Small Business Administration.
Panelists will break down a critical element of business success, financial resources, into simple terms, so you are more informed and understand what resources are available to take advantage of, and they will empower you with tools to help you to make better financial decisions for your business.
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DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
INVEST SOUTHWEST OPEN HOUSE EVENTS
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Join the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) for a series of in-person and virtual events focused on the Auburn Gresham community. The conversations will inform planning priorities for the 79th Street corridor and the proposed project near 79th and Halsted.
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Thursday, June 24 from 6-7:30 pm | Community Roundtable Zoom Meeting
At the June roundtable, participants will have the opportunity to review all findings from the Open Houses and community visioning sessions. The group will work toward developing an action plan for the 79th Street corridor and a consensus on the best path forward.
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Take the 79th Street, Auburn Gresham Business Survey
As part of efforts to support economic development and expanded opportunities for residents and businesses along the 79th Street Corridor in Auburn Gresham, please take this short survey. Results will be used to inform strategies being coordinated by the Chatham Business Association and other partners as part of the City of Chicago’s INVEST South/West initiative.
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2Q 2021 BUYING PLAN AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD |
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The Buying Plan is a key transparency initiative that the City of Chicago and 13 additional government agencies uses to forecast the goods and services that it expects to procure in the next 6 quarters, allowing businesses and the vendor community to prepare for upcoming solicitations.
The Buying Plan continues to serve the local vendor community by highlighting Small Business Initiative (SBI), Mid-Size Business Initiative (MBI), and Target Market opportunities for quick reference.
Chicago Works projects are also highlighted and will include the repair and replacement of roads, bridges, sidewalks, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible crosswalk ramps, streetlights, traffic signals, and other traditional infrastructure projects.
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HADLEY'S NEW VENTURE BUSINESS COMPETITION |
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Hadley's competition is open to legally blind US residents who successfully complete the Starting A Business workshop series and submit the business CANVAS and executive summary. The templates and directions to complete these documents are found in the resource section of the Starting A Business series. The candidate must have a significant operational role and majority ownership in the new business.
The business under consideration must reside within the US. This competition is intended for new ventures in the start-up or early growth stages of business development. The submission deadline is July 2nd, 2021.
Founded in 1920 by William Hadley, an educator who lost his eyesight later in life, Hadley offers practical help, connection, and support free of charge to anyone with a visual impairment, their families, and professionals supporting them. Since July 2020, more than 10,000 learners have accessed 50,000 workshops.
For more information, click here. |
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VIRTUAL OUTREACH AND EVENTS |
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DPS participates in many outreach events around the Chicagoland area. Check out the upcoming events happening soon. For a full calendar of events, please visit www.chicago.gov/dpsevents
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June Membership Meeting
June 22, 2021 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
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Join FWC as they welcome Jamie Rhee, Commissioner, Chicago Department of Aviation. Jamie will be on hand to discuss the O'Hare 21 project and initiatives to provide greater opportunities for M/W/DBE vendors at the airports. O'Hare 21 is Chicago's vision for a modern airport that will be an efficient and accessible international gateway to the world and Chicago. Through this $8.5 billion project, O'Hare will be transformed for curb to gate to meet the needs of the traveling public through the 21st century and beyond. |
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54th Annual Chicago Business Opportunity Fair
June 23 - 24, 2021 | 9:45 AM - 2:00 PM
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Join 54th Annual Chicago Business Opportunity Fair for Day 2 & 3 of the Conference. The 2021 conference theme, Connecting the Dots: Business S.O.S. – Synergies! Opportunities! Solutions! is all about looking forward, embracing change, identifying opportunities and creating synergies that exponentially expand our thinking, our sustainability, and our growth. |
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Membership meeting
June 23, 2021 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
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Join HACIA for virtual Membership Meeting webinar via Zoom! This meeting will welcome speakers, who will present on current projects, opportunities and more! Guests will have a chance to ask questions to each speaker during the meeting. |
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LGBTQ+ Biz Training Part 2
June 24, 2021 | 12:15 AM - 2:30 PM
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Join the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois as they celebrate PRIDE by supporting LGBTQ+ owned businesses. Activities will kick off on June 10th with PRIDE Connect, a multi-organization event with 15 participating chambers, nonprofits, and their members. This two-part LGBTQ+ Biz Training workshop provides attendees access to learning about business plans, certifications, and much more. |
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Illinois Tollway Diversity Webinar Series
June 28, 2021 | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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DPS is the certifying agency for the following certifications: Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE), Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), Veteran-Owned Business (VBE), Business Enterprise for People with Disabilities (BEPD), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concessions, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE). This workshop will provide detailed information on who is qualified to be a Chicago certified firm. Learn out what documents are needed when submitting an application and how to avoid the most common mistakes in the certification process. Subject matter experts will be on-hand to answer all your questions about common certification topics. |
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State of Illinois Department of Central Management Services Disparity Study Informational Webinar
June 30, 2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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The public information webinar will introduce the study team, present the study elements and methodology, describe the study process and outline how stakeholders and business owners can participate. CMS welcomes the participation of all business owners, those who are currently doing business with CMS, as well as those interested in contracting opportunities. Please join the State to learn about this important project and how you can participate. |
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Small Business E-Expo
July 22, 2021
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This year’s expos will be better than ever, with the return of over 30 exhibitors offering 1:1 business guidance. This interactive expo will also feature webinars, panels and a keynote speaker that will help people on all stages on their entrepreneurial journey.
Make sure to mark Thursday, July 22, 2021 in your calendar and visit chismallbizexpo.com for updates as the expo approaches.
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FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR YOUR BUSINESS
June 23, 2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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In today's business environment the Financial Services industry is constantly evolving to encompass a broad range of services and programs for businesses. This panel will explore Financial Services key issues and opportunities and share an array of innovative solutions and best practices. |
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INTRODUCTION TO ePROCUREMENT 101
June 24, 2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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DPS is continuing on the next phase of start-to-finish purchasing modernization via the implementation of a comprehensive eProcurement system. eProcurement applies digital technology to the acquisition of goods and services. It will allow DPS to collaborate with City Departments to create solicitations and contracts online, greatly reducing the time it takes to complete procurements. Come watch a demonstration and learn about iSupplier registration, how vendors will submit bids and proposals online, and how to view contracts and payments. |
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WE ARE FAMILY! DOING BUSINESS WITH SISTER AGENCIES (PBC&CHA)
July 7, 2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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Interested in doing business beyond the City of Chicago but not sure where to start? This workshop welcomes guest presentations that outlines the roles and responsibilities of how to do business with the City of Chicago’s six sister agencies: Chicago Public Schools (CPS), City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), Public Building Commission (PBC), Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), Chicago Park District (CPD) and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). |
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TRACKING CONTRACT PAYMENTS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
July 8, 2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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The Certification & Compliance (C2) Network System is a web-based tool that provides up-to-date tracking of payments made to prime contractors and sub-contractors. Prime contractors are responsible for reporting payments to all sub-contractors on a monthly basis. Come learn the roles and responsibilities of both the prime and subcontractors. |
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THE SMALL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT FUND (SBIF) |
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Eligible businesses must submit their application during the month-long application window for their TIF district to qualify for funding. To find out if and when SBIF grants are available for your business, search the address on the SBIF eligibility page. Other eligibility requirements apply, and application dates are subject to change.
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WEEKLY BID OPPORTUNITY LIST |
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Bid Opportunity List for the Week of June 21, 2021 |
The weekly Bid Opportunity List (BOL) is the resource to find currently advertised contracting opportunities with the City of Chicago. The information on the BOL is subject to change.
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Please be advised that all contracts awarded on March 10, 2021 and beyond will include Terms related to compliance with Executive Order 2021-2. These terms include quarterly reporting requirements for the projected and actual utilization of M/WBE firms. |
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RESOURCES FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY |
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The City continues to work with stakeholders to explore additional funding and capital resources to further support Chicago's business owners and entrepreneurs throughout this public health crisis.
Resource Navigators
The City of Chicago has established Small Business Resource Navigators to provide 1:1 assistance to small businesses looking for support during this difficult time. For more information, click here.
Information on Chicago Reopening Guidelines
Mayor Lightfoot recently released industry-specific guidelines for businesses, employees, and customers to follow as the city prepares to begin safely reopening. Industry-specific guidelines include details such as how businesses can engage in healthy interactions between workers and customers, how to maintain safe working spaces and conditions, and how to design and monitor workplace operations to create flexibility and maintain safety for employees and customers. Guidelines can be found at www.chicago.gov/reopening.
Business Interruption Grants Program (BIG)
The Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program is a $636 million program developed by Governor Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly to provide economic relief for small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19. BIG leverages federal funding provided by the CARES Act to help offset COVID-19 related losses for Illinois small businesses. Funding may be used to help businesses with working capital expenses, including payroll costs; rent; utilities; and other operational costs as defined in the eligible cost list found below. For more information, click here.
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DPS believes that everyone should have a chance to participate in the business of government. This includes participation by way of bidding on a contract, being a supplier, becoming a certified vendor, or even learning about how to do business with the City.
Our DPS website provides information to keep our vendor community informed of procurement news, outreach, initiative and programs. Visit www.chicago.gov/dps to learn about the following:
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DEPARTMENT OF PROCUREMENT SERVICES | www.chicago.gov/dps |
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