{"id":3190,"date":"2023-04-28T14:10:43","date_gmt":"2023-04-28T19:10:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elkingconsulting.com\/?p=3190"},"modified":"2024-09-24T13:26:58","modified_gmt":"2024-09-24T18:26:58","slug":"wbe-certification-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wbe-certification-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"Benefits of WBE Certification in Illinois: Contracts, Contacts + Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"3190\" class=\"elementor elementor-3190\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-16aa58f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"16aa58f\" 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-7f5ae08\" data-id=\"7f5ae08\" 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-57c1ec5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"57c1ec5\" 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 class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Are you a woman-owned business in Illinois looking for ways to make your dream of growing a successful business a reality? If so, becoming certified as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) with the state could be the key to realizing your goal and increasing your revenue.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">In this guide, we will explore the benefits of WBE certification in Illinois, including how it can help you secure contracts, make valuable contacts, and gain access to resources that can help you grow your business.<\/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-b387086 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"b387086\" 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<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-cf05833 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"cf05833\" 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-ec77a8e\" data-id=\"ec77a8e\" 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-60a2d84 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"60a2d84\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\" 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\">Understanding WBE Certification<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7485818 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7485818\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;pulse&quot;}\" 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><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">Certification as a WBE or MBE in Illinois opens up opportunities to secure state government contracts. This is because the State of Illinois and many corporations have\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"text-indigo-700 underline underline-offset-4\" style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ilga.gov\/legislation\/ilcs\/ilcs3.asp?ActID=550&amp;ChapterID=7\" rel=\"noreferrer\">diversity programs<\/a><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\u00a0that require a certain percentage of their contracts to be awarded to minority-owned or women-owned businesses. By becoming certified, you can position your business to compete for these contracts and potentially increase your revenue.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\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-58bb929 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"58bb929\" 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-db01393\" data-id=\"db01393\" 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-17dc9e3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"17dc9e3\" 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<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-01b8bd6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"01b8bd6\" 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-94ba0dc\" data-id=\"94ba0dc\" 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-a5dc733 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a5dc733\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\" 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\">Advantages of WBE Certification in Illinois<\/h2>\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-cf8e078 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"cf8e078\" 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-e66760a\" data-id=\"e66760a\" 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-0db3110 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0db3110\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;pulse&quot;}\" 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 class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">There are many benefits of MBE or WBE certification. Access to\u00a0<b><strong class=\"font-bold\">government contracts and resources<\/strong><\/b>\u00a0can help empower your business and open up new possibilities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">These benefits can help you make informed decisions on how to move your company forward. Learn why you should consider investing your time into this certification opportunity.<\/p>\t\t\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-d2a9b79 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"d2a9b79\" 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-84bc78b\" data-id=\"84bc78b\" 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-1406e1f elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"1406e1f\" 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<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f72fe74 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"f72fe74\" 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-b207e5d\" data-id=\"b207e5d\" 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-b460e5d elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b460e5d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1. Access to Contract Opportunities\u200b<\/h3>\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-412fac0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"412fac0\" 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-13e1d08\" data-id=\"13e1d08\" 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-2b832e0 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2b832e0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;pulse&quot;}\" 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>Women-owned businesses that are certified with the State of Illinois are eligible to receive contracts from state agencies, which can be a valuable source of revenue.<\/p>\t\t\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-0f587f3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"0f587f3\" 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-9af7282\" data-id=\"9af7282\" 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-3aa1287 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"3aa1287\" 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<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-88882bf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"88882bf\" 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-87762fc\" data-id=\"87762fc\" 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-ca1c6fc elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ca1c6fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. Eligibility for Loans and Funding Programs<\/h3>\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-9499e18 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"9499e18\" 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-3090aeb\" data-id=\"3090aeb\" 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-943e583 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"943e583\" 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>Being a certified women-owned business can make it easier for you to secure loans and funding from government programs that support women-owned businesses. This can provide the capital you need to grow and expand your business.<\/p>\t\t\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-58fd52c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"58fd52c\" 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-c118b8a\" data-id=\"c118b8a\" 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-583edd9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"583edd9\" 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<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e2a4e2d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"e2a4e2d\" 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-1fe0b16\" data-id=\"1fe0b16\" 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-438e529 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"438e529\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. Increased Visibility<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b729b6 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1b729b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;pulse&quot;}\" 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>Being a certified WBE provides increased visibility for your company, helping you to stand out in your industry and attract new business. Many corporations and government agencies have supplier diversity initiatives in place and actively seek out opportunities to work with certified WBEs.<\/p>\t\t\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-b966876 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"b966876\" 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-c19210d\" data-id=\"c19210d\" 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-c833689 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"c833689\" 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<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-678b4f8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"678b4f8\" 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-0197b95\" data-id=\"0197b95\" 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-279aae8 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"279aae8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4. Inclusion in Searchable Database<\/h3>\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-4d8bfb9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"4d8bfb9\" 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-b4aa24a\" data-id=\"b4aa24a\" 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-afce770 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"afce770\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;pulse&quot;}\" 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>When you become certified, your company is included in a searchable database where other companies can find you and reach out to partner with you.<\/p>\t\t\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-6a615dc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"6a615dc\" 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-1f797ca\" data-id=\"1f797ca\" 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-ac7aef1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"ac7aef1\" 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-c917888 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c917888\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">5. Networking Opportunities<\/h3>\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-d35dac5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"d35dac5\" 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-bf13d8a\" data-id=\"bf13d8a\" 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-db41252 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"db41252\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;pulse&quot;}\" 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>Certification can open doors to networking events and opportunities with other women-owned businesses, as well as government officials and organizations. There are many ways to connect with potential partners and clients, such as attending conferences, workshops, and business fairs.<\/p>\t\t\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-8ad4b3d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"8ad4b3d\" 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-793ef84\" data-id=\"793ef84\" 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-f1cf20f elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"f1cf20f\" 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-e52dd67 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e52dd67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">6. Access to Exclusive Events<\/h3>\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-ab24f26 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"ab24f26\" 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-6f07bc4\" data-id=\"6f07bc4\" 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-4fc21c8 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4fc21c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;pulse&quot;}\" 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 class=\"text-body font-regular text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Many of these networking opportunities include exclusive events specifically for certified WBEs. These events provide insights, offer contract opportunities, allow businesses to showcase their products or services, and provide the chance to make valuable connections with potential customers and partners.<\/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-cd1c017 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"cd1c017\" 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<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a242b72 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"a242b72\" 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-9d04329\" data-id=\"9d04329\" 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-70ab94e elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"70ab94e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">7. Build a Competitive Edge<\/h3>\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-fa8d5da elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"fa8d5da\" 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-4502bfb\" data-id=\"4502bfb\" 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-02548af elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"02548af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;pulse&quot;}\" 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>Certification demonstrates your commitment to being a diverse and inclusive business, which can be a competitive edge in today\u2019s market. It shows that your company is capable of meeting the needs and demands of diverse customers and clients.<\/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-4dd2d7b elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"4dd2d7b\" 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-a028898 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a028898\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">8. Access to Business Support Services<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1700a6c elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1700a6c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;pulse&quot;}\" 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 class=\"font-bold text-gray-800 text-h4 leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"color: #282828; font-family: Jost, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 400;\">The State of Illinois offers a range of free and low-cost support services to certified women-owned businesses, including training, counseling, and mentoring programs. Certain companies offer mentorship programs for women-owned businesses and many of them require a certification.<\/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-30cfcca elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"30cfcca\" 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<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-509291a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"509291a\" 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-142af1a\" data-id=\"142af1a\" 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-4013cf0 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4013cf0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;}\" 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\">Conclusion<\/h2>\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-14d7990 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"14d7990\" 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-67a7946\" data-id=\"67a7946\" 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-b109d79 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b109d79\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;pulse&quot;}\" 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>Overall, being certified as a women-owned business can provide access to opportunities that help increase your revenue streams and grow your business. The certification process requires meeting certain eligibility criteria and completing an application process, but it is a valuable investment for the growth of any business. Obtaining certification as a women-owned or minority-owned business can help your company stand out in a competitive market and to connect with other successful business owners.<\/p>\t\t\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-5d732e1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"5d732e1\" 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-e283c95\" data-id=\"e283c95\" 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-00acdaf elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"00acdaf\" 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<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-44fb6be5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"44fb6be5\" 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-4c9eb203\" data-id=\"4c9eb203\" 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-7f0a91fa elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7f0a91fa\" 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><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/ilgovcontracts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"179\" class=\"wp-image-5221\" src=\"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Facebook-Group-Block-for-Blogs-1024x179.png\" 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\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<p><\/p>\t\t\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>Are you a woman-owned business in Illinois looking for ways to make your dream of growing a successful business a reality? If so, becoming certified as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) with the state could be the key to realizing your goal and increasing your&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":140240785,"featured_media":5181,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1483,1455],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3190","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\/3190","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=3190"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3190\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5181"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3190"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3190"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3190"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}