title
REPORT
Department: Department of Finance and Administration
Request: Refer to Contract Compliance Committee
Report Title: Forest Preserves of Cook County Annual Business Diversity Report FY 2019
Report Period: 1/1/2019 - 12/31/2019
Summary: In July 2012, state legislation authorized the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to establish provisions to address the underuse of minority and women-owned businesses with respect to procurement contracts. An ordinance establishing the program’s parameters and guidelines was passed by the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners in September 2012. This initiative is significantly benefitting the residents of Cook County by increasing the pool of qualified minority and women-owned businesses that have the opportunity to be selected for contracts awarded by the Forest Preserves each year.
To remedy historic inequity and to facilitate greater inclusion, the Forest Preserves established aspirational contract goals for the participation of minority and women-owned as set forth under the ordinances that comprise the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Municipal Code.
The Minority and Women-Owned Businesses program accomplishments in FY 2019 include awarded contracts achieved 41% minority and women-owned businesses participation; and 43% of contract payments were made to minority and women-owned businesses either as prime contractors or sub-contractors.
The Forest Preserves participated in sixteen (16) outreach and workshop conferences, many in collaboration with various government entities. Also, in 2019, the Forest Preserves, in collaboration with Cook County provided monthly workshops to Minority and Women-Owned Businesses on how to do business with the government.
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