A recently released report commissioned by the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority is recommending that the Authority continue its disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) program after it found "extensive evidence" of race and gender discrimination in its contracting practices.
According to the study, Black, Native American, and White Female-owned DBEs experience significant disparities in their level of participation of Authority contracts given their availability to work on these contracts.
In addition to retaining the DBE program, the disparity study recommends that the Authority train prime contractors on their DBE obligations, continue applying race- and gender-conscious measures on individual contracts, and enhance and expand its Mentor-Protege program, among others.
The Authority will host two meetings to address any questions the public may have regarding the report's findings. The first will be held in Chicago at 2 p.m., November 18th at the DePaul Conference Center. The other will be at 2 p.m., November 19th at the Naperville Marriott.
To read the disparity study in full, visit http://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/10157/c3ad3b75-8369-4032-b107-7e12bf1fb962.
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