Minority- and female-owned businesses in Will County have been given a leg up with the opening of a new Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Resource Center aimed at facilitating their participation in the Interstate 80 and other local infrastructure projects. The center, established by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), is part of a statewide effort to ensure small, local businesses can more readily join in on major construction endeavors.
Constructed over half a century ago, the I-80 corridor is undergoing a significant transformation that spans 16 miles, elevating safety standards and expanding capacity within a region burgeoning with logistics and freight activity. Enhancing quality of life and generating thousands of jobs, both in construction and post-completion, the I-80 project is a cornerstone in bolstering the economic framework of the area. Creating opportunities for businesses and jobs, the center, while focused on supporting small businesses, can also be utilized for additional state projects, increasing its utility and range.
In a move to adhere to Gov. JB Pritzker's directives on local business inclusion, the new DBE Resource Center, located at 858 Center Court, Unit A, in Shorewood, has been armed with a computer lab and office resources. It stands as a no-cost hub for firms aspiring to become certified DBEs and to unearth contracting opportunities in proximity, bypassing the need to journey to Chicago or Schaumburg for collaboration with IDOT staff. According to a statement obtained by IDOT, one-on-one assistance is available by appointment, enhancing the center’s accessibility to business owners.
Secretary Omer Osman articulated the center's mission, saying, "Through this resource center, small, local firms can get the boost they need to participate in the I-80 project, as well as other local projects." He expressed IDOT’s commitment to leveling the playing field for businesses and contributing to community success. The office's cost, as part of the $1.3 billion I-80 reconstruction budget, was chosen for its easy access to I-80 and I-55, with parking designed for contractors with vehicles of varying sizes.
The DBE Resource Center will also function beyond the current I-80 project. Staffed by District 1 Contract Compliance Unit employees already engaged with contractors onsite in Will County, the center reinforces the state’s broader initiative for supporting business diversity. Representatives from IDOT’s Office of Business and Workforce Diversity’s Bureau of Small Business Enterprises are slated to make use of the facility as well, indicating a wide-ranging impact on local and minority business empowerment.
