{"id":2918,"date":"2023-05-08T20:50:35","date_gmt":"2023-05-09T01:50:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/?p=2918"},"modified":"2024-03-18T20:22:30","modified_gmt":"2024-03-19T01:22:30","slug":"wbe-certification-chicago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wbe-certification-chicago\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Apply for WBE Certification in Chicago"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2918\" class=\"elementor elementor-2918\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-143efd5f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"143efd5f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-56e0ff6a\" data-id=\"56e0ff6a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-275353c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"275353c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Are you a minority-owned or women-owned business looking to get certified in the Chicagoland area?\u00a0<\/p><p>MBE + WBE certification can be an important tool to help you <strong>gain access to government contracts<\/strong> and resources.\u00a0<\/p><p>In this blog post, we&#8217;ll discuss the ins and outs of getting your MBE\/WBE certification in Chicago, from understanding the benefits of being certified, to applying for it, and maintaining certification over time. This is what you need to know to apply for MBE + WBE certification in Chicago.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a56c6d elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"2a56c6d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-794f104 elementor-toc--minimized-on-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"794f104\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h2&quot;,&quot;h3&quot;,&quot;h4&quot;,&quot;h5&quot;,&quot;h6&quot;],&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;numbers&quot;,&quot;no_headings_message&quot;:&quot;No headings were found on this page.&quot;,&quot;minimize_box&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;minimized_on&quot;:&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\tTable of Contents\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--expand\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__794f104\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Open table of contents\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--collapse\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__794f104\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close table of contents\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"elementor-toc__794f104\" class=\"elementor-toc__body\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ffed2a3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"ffed2a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20235c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"20235c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>What is &#8220;WBE Certification&#8221; in Chicago?<\/h2><p>WBE Certification is a type of certification available only to women-owned businesses that gets you\u00a0<span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">access to certain government contracts and opportunities in Chicago.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under the <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1uTSvAKZ17MR6YWz2RtAIjPXQWgzDFvBz\/view?usp=sharing\">City of Chicago local ordinance<\/a>, \u201cWBE\u201d stands for Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE). Women business owners are one group that have access to various set-aside programs and contracts. For example, most city contracts have a goal of 25% for MBEs and 5% for WBEs. WBE goals can advance a WBE firm&#8217;s footprint quickly and increase the company&#8217;s revenue.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In total, the City of Chicago has 6 certification programs for disadvantaged groups, which are:<\/span><\/p><ol><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><ol><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><ol><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MBE- Minority-Owned Business Enterprise<\/span><\/li><li>WBE- Women-Owned Business Enterprise<\/li><li>VBE- Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise<\/li><li>BEPD- Business Enterprise for People with Disabilities<\/li><li>DBE- Disadvantaged Business Enterprise<\/li><li>ACDBE- Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise<\/li><\/ol><\/li><\/ol><\/li><\/ol><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are also certification programs with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cookcountyil.gov\/service\/mbewbevbe-certification\">Cook County<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/idot.illinois.gov\/doing-business\/certifications\/disadvantaged-business-enterprise-certification\/index\">Illinois Department of Transportation<\/a>, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/cei.illinois.gov\/business-enterprise-program\/get-certified.html\">State of Illinois<\/a> (the Business Enterprise Program).<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7cb1aa elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"b7cb1aa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b362aa8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b362aa8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Benefits of WBE Certification<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being a certified Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) in Chicago has its advantages as the distinction opens up many doors for women-owned businesses to access resources and contracts that they may not have had access to before.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the top 4 benefits of WBE Certification:<\/span><\/p><ol><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><ol><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><ol><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Access to set-aside programs + government contracts<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased visibility + listed in the directory<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ability to collaborate + partner with other businesses<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Opportunity to participate in Chicago\u2019s Target Market Program, which allows exclusive bidding and 100% of contracts for certified MBE + WBE <\/span><\/li><\/ol><\/li><\/ol><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d47c879 elementor-widget elementor-widget-bridge_advanced_call_to_action\" data-id=\"d47c879\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"bridge_advanced_call_to_action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qode-advanced-call-to-action qode-advanced-cta-icon-circle\" style=\"height:110px\">\n\t<a class=\"advanced-cta-link\" href=\"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wbe-certification-benefits\/\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a>\n\t<div class=\"qode-advanced-cta-content\">\t\t\n\t    <span class=\"qode-advanced-cta-text-holder\" style=\"color:#B87333;font-size:17px;font-weight:900\">\n\t\t    To read more about WBE Certification benefits, click here\t    <\/span>\n\t    <span class=\"qode-advanced-cta-icon-holder\" style=\"color:#020201;font-weight:700;height:45px;width:45px\">\n\t\t    <span class=\"qode-advanced-cta-icon-holder-table\">\n\t\t    \t<span class=\"qode-advanced-cta-icon-holder-cell\" >\n\t\t\t    \t<span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"qode_icon_font_elegant arrow_back qode-advanced-cta-icon\" ><\/span>\t\t\t    <\/span>\n\t\t    <\/span>\n\t\t    \t\t\t    <span class=\"qode-advanced-cta-icon-border\"><\/span>\n\t\t    \t    <\/span>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qode-advanced-cta-background-holder\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"qode-advanced-cta-background-1 qode-type1-gradient-left-to-right\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"qode-advanced-cta-background-2 qode-type1-gradient-left-to-right\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"qode-advanced-cta-background-3\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d43c8ae elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d43c8ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>With the benefits of certification outlined, it&#8217;s time to explore if you qualify for certification and what the application process looks like.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76d1c28 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"76d1c28\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ddc5de7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ddc5de7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Who Qualifies for MBE + WBE Certification?<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order to qualify for WBE\/MBE certification, a business must meet several criteria set forth by the City of Chicago.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are the 6 main qualifying requirements for WBE\/MBE certification:<\/span><\/p><ol><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Must be 51% owned, controlled, and managed by a disadvantaged group<\/strong><\/span>.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Must be a local business. <\/strong><\/span>The principal place of business must be in the following counties: Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, or Will. Note that if you applying as a DBE\/ACDBE, you can be located anywhere in Illinois.<\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Must have below a certain revenue + business size.<\/strong><\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chicago.gov\/content\/dam\/city\/depts\/dps\/Certification\/Certification%20Documents\/2024%20Gross%20Receipts%20Limit.pdf\">2024 Gross Receipts Limit<\/a> is $48,681,024.12. This limit is averaged over 3 years for non-construction MBE\/WBE\/VBE firms. Construction firms are subject to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sba.gov\/document\/support--table-size-standards\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SBA size standards<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> averaged over 7 years.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Must have below a certain Personal Net Worth<\/strong><\/span>. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chicago.gov\/content\/dam\/city\/depts\/dps\/Certification\/Certification%20Documents\/2024%20Personal%20Net%20Worth%20Limit.pdf\">2024 Personal Net Worth Limit<\/a> is $2,767,082.23. This applies to\u00a0MBE\/WBE\/VBE construction companies. \u00a0This number is evaluated annually by the City of Chicago.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Must have specific business documentation.<\/strong><\/span><ol><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><ol><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sole Proprietorship: Owner must submit Assumed Name Certificate if operating in name other than theirs.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">General Partnership: Partnership Agreement required.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Corporations: The company must be in Good Standing with the State of Illinois, and the following must be submitted: Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, Copes of all stock certificates (front\/back), and Meeting Minutes.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limited Partnership: You must submit Assumed Name Certification or Certificate of Limited Partnership.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limited Liability Company (LLC): You must submit an Operating Agreement, Articles of Organization.<\/span><\/li><\/ol><\/li><\/ol><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>The owner must have extensive knowledge in management and operations<\/strong><\/span>. They should also possess good credit history with no bankruptcies within the past five years.<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-804442a elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"804442a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d16fafc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d16fafc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>How to Apply for WBE Certification<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The certification process can seem a little overwhelming at first, so it is important to take it one step at a time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order to apply for WBE Certification, you must do the following:<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5b4248 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-qi_addons_for_elementor_process\" data-id=\"e5b4248\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"qi_addons_for_elementor_process.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-qi-process qodef-qi--has-appear qodef-qi-grid qodef-layout--qi-columns qodef-col-num--3 qodef-item-layout--horizontal qodef-responsive--custom qodef-col-num--1680--3 qodef-col-num--1440--3 qodef-col-num--1366--3 qodef-col-num--1024--3 qodef-col-num--768--3 qodef-col-num--680--3 qodef-col-num--480--3\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-grid-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-process-item qodef-grid-item elementor-repeater-item-be6a5c8\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-icon-holder\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"qodef-e-item-icon-text\">\n\t\t\t\t1.\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-line\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-line-inner\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"qodef-e-text\">\n\t\t\nGather all required documentation. \t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-process-item qodef-grid-item elementor-repeater-item-978b68e\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-icon-holder\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"qodef-e-item-icon-text\">\n\t\t\t\t2.\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-line\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-line-inner\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"qodef-e-text\">\n\t\tCreate an account through the portal online.\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-process-item qodef-grid-item elementor-repeater-item-178e1f5\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-icon-holder\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"qodef-e-item-icon-text\">\n\t\t\t\t3.\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-line\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-line-inner\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"qodef-e-text\">\n\t\tIdentify your NAICS codes for your services and include relevant client information that shows your expertise.\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-process-item qodef-grid-item elementor-repeater-item-2d3e9d0\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-icon-holder\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"qodef-e-item-icon-text\">\n\t\t\t\t4.\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-line\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-line-inner\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"qodef-e-text\">\n\t\tFill out the online application and attach all the corresponding documentation.\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-process-item qodef-grid-item elementor-repeater-item-12f5852\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-icon-holder\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"qodef-e-item-icon-text\">\n\t\t\t\t5.\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-line\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-line-inner\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"qodef-e-text\">\n\t\tPay the $250 application fee. \n(There is no fee for DBE\/ACDBE\/BEPD)\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"qodef-e qodef-process-item qodef-grid-item elementor-repeater-item-1c4e5f5\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-icon-holder\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"qodef-e-item-icon-text\">\n\t\t\t\t6.\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-line\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-line-inner\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"qodef-e-text\">\n\t\tWait for a response or additional questions from the City.\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8af43c2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"8af43c2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b374a8c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b374a8c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>After Your WBE Application is Submitted<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The review process takes approximately <strong>90 days<\/strong> from the time the City considers <strong>all<\/strong> documentation to be &#8220;submitted.&#8221; Note that this is not usually right after you submit your application. When the City is reviewing your application to make sure your documents are complete, they will interact with you through the online portal by asking you follow-up questions. Only when you are <strong>finished answering questions<\/strong> with your City certification officer will that time clock really start.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may also need to provide references from customers or suppliers depending on what type of business you operate. You may also receive a <strong>site visit<\/strong> from the City (all construction suppliers and distributors receive site visits).<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once this review has been completed successfully, you will receive official notification regarding your status as a certified WBE or MBE organization.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0f3bed elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"f0f3bed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1535faa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1535faa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Maintaining Your WBE Certification<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintaining your WBE certification requires staying up-to-date with all the requirements and any changes or updates that may come along. To remain certified, you must also submit an annual \u201cNo Change Affidavit.\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If there are any changes to the organization, business name, or ownership, you must notify the City within 10 business days of the change in order to maintain any city certifications. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e3d9911 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"e3d9911\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c506c8 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-bridge_separator_with_icon\" data-id=\"9c506c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"bridge_separator_with_icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"separator_with_icon\" style=\"opacity:1\"><i class=\"fa fa-exclamation-circle\"><\/i><\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9cc96ad elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9cc96ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Top 10 Reasons WBE Applications are Denied<\/h2><p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the top 10 reasons why WBE and MBE applications are denied:<\/span><\/p><ol><li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unsubstantiated or questionable ownership\/control.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unclear description of critical functions and who is responsible.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The company cannot substantiate where and\/or how start-up funds\/expansion capital was initiated.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Outside secondary employment takes the majority of the MBE\/WBE\u2019s time each day.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The company is not located in one of the six county regions.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The point of contact did not respond to requests for information in a timely manner.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inconsistencies with the Applicant\u2019s firm name among various documents.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Problems with contracts: missing, incomplete, not signed &amp; executed by qualifying owners, or have no corresponding proof of payments.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Required documents are not attached or no explanation is given as to why the documents are not available.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Three\/Seven years of tax returns were not submitted (signed) as required.<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-080ac81 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-bridge_separator_with_icon\" data-id=\"080ac81\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"bridge_separator_with_icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"separator_with_icon\" style=\"opacity:1\"><i class=\"fa fa-exclamation-circle\"><\/i><\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8db095d elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"8db095d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9b7ec31 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9b7ec31\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Working with a Government Relations Firm<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are looking for additional counsel, <strong>working with a government relations firm<\/strong> can be beneficial for any business looking to obtain and maintain its WBE or MBE certification in Illinois.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elking Consulting creates a tailor-made strategy specifically for you. We keep you in the loop on alterations to laws and regulations that could affect your business, help you make sense of the intricate bureaucracy associated with WBE\/MBE certification, fight for your company&#8217;s interests from an informed position, and provide invaluable insights into industry trends which could be advantageous to your operations or bottom line.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We also scour for potential opportunities, prepare certification documents for your applications, and guide clients on government reporting and compliance. Having access to experienced professionals who specialize in dealing with governmental entities gives minority-owned and women-owned businesses an edge when competing against larger corporations for contracts or grants from state agencies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The expertise provided by a qualified government relations firm is invaluable when it comes time to negotiate terms or submit proposals for funding and contract opportunities available through the various City of Chicago programs.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f767fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-catalogbooking\" data-id=\"5f767fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"catalogbooking.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<script>\n  if (typeof hasAmeliaEntitiesApiCall === 'undefined' && '' === '') {\n    var hasAmeliaEntitiesApiCall = true;\n  }\n  var ameliaShortcodeData = (typeof ameliaShortcodeData === 'undefined') ? [] : ameliaShortcodeData;\n  ameliaShortcodeData.push(\n    {\n      'hasApiCall': (typeof hasAmeliaEntitiesApiCall !== 'undefined') && hasAmeliaEntitiesApiCall,\n      'trigger': '',\n      'trigger_type': '',\n      'triggered_form': 'cbf',\n      'in_dialog': '',\n      'show': '',\n      'counter': '1000',\n      'package': '',\n      'category': '',\n      'service': '1',\n      'employee': '',\n      'location': '',\n      'categories_hidden': ''\n    }\n  );\n  var ameliaShortcodeDataTriggered = (typeof ameliaShortcodeDataTriggered === 'undefined') ? [] : ameliaShortcodeDataTriggered;\n  if (ameliaShortcodeData[ameliaShortcodeData.length - 1].trigger !== '') {\n    if (ameliaShortcodeDataTriggered.filter(a => a.counter === ameliaShortcodeData[ameliaShortcodeData.length - 1].counter).length === 0) {\n      ameliaShortcodeDataTriggered.push(ameliaShortcodeData.pop());\n    } else {\n      ameliaShortcodeData.pop()\n    }\n  }\n  if (typeof hasAmeliaEntitiesApiCall !== 'undefined' && hasAmeliaEntitiesApiCall) {\n    hasAmeliaEntitiesApiCall = false;\n  }\n<\/script>\n\n<div\n  id=\"amelia-v2-booking-1000\"\n  class=\"amelia-v2-booking\"\n>\n    <catalog-form-wrapper><\/catalog-form-wrapper><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9aabc2b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9aabc2b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Conclusion<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having WBE or MBE certification with the City of Chicago will open up many opportunities for your business. Ultimately, getting certified will lead to greater business growth and increased revenue.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feel free <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/schedule-a-call\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">schedule a quick call with me<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and check out our private <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/ilgovcontracts\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Facebook Group<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> dedicated to businesses seeking government contract opportunities in Illinois. Wishing you success on your certification journey!<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f3a15f1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"f3a15f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-585eb02 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"585eb02\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/ilgovcontracts\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"179\" src=\"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Facebook-Group-Block-for-Blogs-1024x179.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5221\" alt=\"Facebook group for Illinois businesses seeking government contract opportunities\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Facebook-Group-Block-for-Blogs-1024x179.png 1024w, https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Facebook-Group-Block-for-Blogs-300x52.png 300w, https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Facebook-Group-Block-for-Blogs-768x134.png 768w, https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Facebook-Group-Block-for-Blogs-700x122.png 700w, https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Facebook-Group-Block-for-Blogs.png 1406w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f108a95 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"f108a95\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ccd7837 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ccd7837\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">FAQ's<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a01a48 elementor-widget elementor-widget-toggle\" data-id=\"6a01a48\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"toggle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1111\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1111\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Who is the certifying agency in Chicago?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1111\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1111\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Department of Procurement Services. You can check their website for upcoming events, certification opportunities, trainings, and other useful resources.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1112\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1112\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What groups can qualify for a certification?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1112\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1112\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The following groups qualify for City of Chicago certification:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">African American<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hispanic<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asian<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asian-Indian<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Women\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Veterans<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Persons with Disabilities<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other individuals who can provide social and economic disadvantages<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1113\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1113\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What are the certification programs in Chicago?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1113\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1113\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u200bChoose which certification program is best for you:<\/span><\/p><ul><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MBE- Minority-Owned Business Enterprise<\/span><\/li><li>WBE- Women-Owned Business Enterprise<\/li><li>VBE- Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise<\/li><li>BEPD- Business Enterprise for People with Disabilities<\/li><li>DBE- Disadvantaged Business Enterprise<\/li><li>ACDBE- Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise<\/li><\/ul><p><br style=\"font-weight: 400;\" \/><br style=\"font-weight: 400;\" \/><br \/><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1114\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1114\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How long is the certification process?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1114\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1114\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The application review process takes approximately <\/span><b>90 days<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the time the City considers <\/span><b>all<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> documentation to be &#8220;complete.&#8221; It generally takes a business 1-3 months to prepare all documentation.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1115\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1115\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How much does it cost to apply for WBE\/MBE certification with the City of Chicago?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1115\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1115\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$250 Application Fee + any consultant costs to prepare your business application documents <\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1116\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1116\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What are the benefits of a W.B.E. Certification?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1116\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1116\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For women entrepreneurs, becoming a certified women&#8217;s business enterprise offers many benefits and business opportunities. It provides access to exclusive contracting opportunities, networking and business development resources.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, it increases credibility with customers and suppliers as well as opens up new markets for growth. You can immediately gain greater visibility within the government sector. This can be especially important for small business owners.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, certification also gives WBE firms preferential treatment in a competitive business environment when bidding on public contracts which can result in increased profits over time.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1117\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1117\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What is the difference between MBE and WBE?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1117\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1117\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MBEs and WBEs are businesses owned by individuals from an ethnic minority or gender group, respectively, with the former requiring at least 51% ownership by a member of an identified minority and the latter needing to be majority-owned by one or more women. Both MBE and WBE refer to firms that are owned by people from a distinct demographic or gender. MBEs must be at least 51% owned by one or more individuals who are part of an identified ethnic minority while WBEs must be at least 51% owned by one or more women.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1118\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"8\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1118\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What is the City of Chicago\u2019s Target Market Program?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1118\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"8\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1118\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Target Market Program provides exclusive bidding for a certified minority business enterprise and women business enterprise. This program allows the certified businesses to take 100% of the contract awards because there are no subcontractor goals associated with the project.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1119\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"9\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1119\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What qualifies as a Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1119\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"9\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1119\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cVeteran\u201d means a person who has service in the United States armed forces and was discharged or separated under honorable conditions. A DD214 or DD214 are required as supporting evidence. A number of contracts are set aside for VBE.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-12d4e61 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"12d4e61\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-df8afb4\" data-id=\"df8afb4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c7344d6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"c7344d6\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b9bf11e\" data-id=\"b9bf11e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b551e50 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-gallery\" data-id=\"b551e50\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-gallery\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 100%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-2918 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-medium_large'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"b551e50\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"How to Apply for WBE Certification in Chicago\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDE3NywidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3MwNDYud3B0c3RhZ2luZy5zcGFjZVwvZWxraW5nXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIzXC8xMVwvSG93LXRvLUdldC1DZXJ0aWZpZWQtV0JFLnBuZyIsInNsaWRlc2hvdyI6ImI1NTFlNTAifQ%3D%3D\" href='https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/How-to-Get-Certified-WBE.png'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1152\" src=\"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/How-to-Get-Certified-WBE-768x1152.png\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large\" alt=\"Benefits of WBE Certification in Chicago\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/How-to-Get-Certified-WBE-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/How-to-Get-Certified-WBE-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/How-to-Get-Certified-WBE-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/How-to-Get-Certified-WBE-700x1050.png 700w, https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/How-to-Get-Certified-WBE.png 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad76b39 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"ad76b39\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover the advantages of WBE certification in Chicago and how to get certified quickly with the help of a specialized government relations firm. Learn more about wbe certification chicago today!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":140240785,"featured_media":5184,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1483,1455],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2918","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-news-featured-right","category-wbe-mbe-certification"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2918","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/140240785"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2918"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2918\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5184"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2918"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2918"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2918"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}