HB2770: PROCUREMENT-VETERAN SET-ASIDE

Legislative Summary

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Requires the Capital Development Board and the Department of Transportation to prepare quarterly reports on the status of change order requests. Provides that a lease of real property owned by a public institution of higher education (rather than the University of Illinois) may exceed 10 years under specified circumstances. Requires construction agencies procuring construction and construction-related professional services to make reasonable efforts to contract with Illinois businesses and, in procuring construction and construction-related professional services for projects with a total construction cost of more than $100,000, to provide a bid preference to a responsible bidder that is an Illinois business. Requires disclosure of financial interests for all bids and offers from responsive bidders, offerors, vendors, or contractors with an annual value in excess of the specified small purchase threshold under the Code. Exempts certain communications from procurement communication reporting requirements. Creates the State Procurement Task Force. Provides that the task force shall survey State procurement process and make recommendations to: (i) ensure that the process is equitable and efficient; (ii) provide departments with the flexibility needed to be successful; (iii) change the current structure of the procurement process; (iv) update the process to reflect modern procurement methods; (v) increase women-owned and minority-owned business participation; (vi) increase participation by State vendors; and (vii) reduce costs and increase efficiency of State procurements. Provides guidelines for appointing members to the task force. Provides that the Department of Central Management Services shall provide support to the task force. Provides that the task force shall submit specified reports to the Governor and General Assembly. Provides that the task force is repealed on January 1, 2025. Amends the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act. Provides that the Business Enterprise Council shall have the authority and responsibility to adopt a procedure to grant automatic certification to businesses holding a certification from specified entities and to develop and maintain a repository for specified non-certified vendors. Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that the Department of Human Rights, by rule, shall establish a reasonable opportunity to cure any noncompliance by a bidder prior to the awarding of a contract. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2023, except that certain provisions take effect immediately.