Bill > SB0171

This bill would amend the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act to include veterans as a protected category alongside existing groups. Here's a summary: This bill expands the existing Business Enterprise Program to explicitly include veteran-owned businesses and veterans as a protected group. The legislation modifies numerous existing state laws to add "veterans" to various provisions relating to business enterprise, procurement, and diversity goals. Specifically, the bill adds veterans to definitions, reporting requirements, and aspirational goals across multiple state agencies and programs. Key provisions include: - Defining "veteran" as someone who has served in the armed forces under specific conditions - Adding veterans to existing goals for state contracts, with aspirational targets of 30% for general contracts and 20% for construction contracts - Requiring agencies to report on veteran-owned business participation - Mandating outreach and inclusion efforts for veteran-owned businesses - Establishing reporting requirements to track veteran business participation - Updating definitions in multiple state laws to include veterans alongside minorities, women, and persons with disabilities The bill aims to create more economic opportunities for veterans by ensuring they have meaningful access to state procurement processes and business development programs. By adding veterans as a protected category, the legislation seeks to recognize and support veterans' economic participation across various state initiatives.

Government Affairs

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=171&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104