Building Blocks of Success: IDOT announces March dates for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Workshops, March 9-31, 2021

The Illinois Department of Transportation is hosting free virtual workshops in March as part of its Building Blocks of Success series for firms interested in participating in the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, strengthening their skills and bidding on state projects. The workshops are open to all, but some are tailored to specific districts/regions of the state.

The workshop dates and topics are:

• March 9: Extra Work (T&M), 10 a.m. to noon
• March 11: Construction Materials Requirements, 10 a.m. to noon
• March 16: Landscape Material and Other Requirements, 10 a.m. to noon
• March 18: Prime Contractors’ Perspective, 10 a.m. to noon
• March 23: Getting Paid, 10 a.m. to noon
• March 25: Required Documents, 10 a.m. to noon
• March 29: Quick Books Part 1, 10 a.m. to noon
• March 30: Quick Books Part 2, 10 a.m. to noon
• March 31: Quick Books Part 3, 10 a.m. to noon

Building Blocks of Success will be conducted through April. Workshop information, including dates and times, will be made available through Eventbrite at bit.ly/DBEworkshops. Advance registration is required.

Questions can be directed to the DBE resource center at (312) 939-1100.

Administered by IDOT, the DBE program provides minorities, women and other eligible small businesses an opportunity to participate in highway, transit and airport contracts that are federal and state funded. For more information on becoming a certified DBE and learning more about IDOT resources that are available, visit www.idot.illinois.gov/dbe.

Follow IDOT on Twitter at http://twitter.com/IDOT_Illinois/. Updates on construction and traffic information are available at www.travelmidwest.com.

Fall Into The County: Vendor Resource and Information Expo, October 16, 2019

This event provided opportunities to network with Cook County and its sister agencies. The event also included the following workshops: Procurement 101, Advanced Look into 2020 Buying Plan – Capital Planning, Transportation and Highways, M/WBE Certification/Compliance, Growing Your Business – Access to Capital, Working with DHSEM and the Use of Federal Grant Funds and Cook County Dept. of Public Health – Good Food Policy Panel Discussion.

Metra On Track to Success Vendor Fair, September 4, 2019

Metra, a CREATE Program partner, held a vendor fair on September 4, 2019. This event provided small businesses access to prime contractors and an opportunity to attend free educational workshops. Metra recognized and honored prime contractors, subcontractors, assisting agencies and staff members that have provided exceptional service and promote diversity and inclusion.

CREATE Get On Board, January 24, 2019

The “Get On Board” business-to-business networking event on January 24 offered an opportunity for certified DBEs and small businesses to engage with public agencies, freight and passenger railroads and prime contractors, to learn about bid or professional services opportunities related to the CREATE Program.

Review the “CREATE Projects for Bid” workshop presentation (PDF).