{"id":5399,"date":"2024-03-26T18:37:47","date_gmt":"2024-03-26T23:37:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elkingconsulting.com\/?p=5399"},"modified":"2024-09-10T07:58:19","modified_gmt":"2024-09-10T12:58:19","slug":"wbe-certification-illinois","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wbe-certification-illinois\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Apply for WBE + MBE Certification in Illinois"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"5399\" class=\"elementor elementor-5399\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f632198 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"f632198\" 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-2fca0a2\" data-id=\"2fca0a2\" 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-a63e970 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a63e970\" 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><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you ready to unlock a world of opportunities? Becoming certified as a women-owned business (WBE) or minority-owned business (MBE) in the State of Illinois is a valuable way to gain access to government contracting + partnership opportunities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many perks of getting certified as a WBE or MBE, the most lucrative of which is <\/span><b>set-asides<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on state contracts. The government wants to do business with more women and minorities. These certifications give them a way to do that.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is no doubt that a WBE\/MBE Certification is an opportunity magnet, especially for smaller businesses. However, the actual process of getting certified can feel complex and daunting. It also requires careful attention to detail and disclosure.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But fear not! In this article, I will provide you with a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the WBE\/MBE certification process with the State of Illinois.<\/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-a7e999d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"a7e999d\" 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-87bf627\" data-id=\"87bf627\" 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-fc4ee76 elementor-toc--minimized-on-tablet elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"fc4ee76\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInRight&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__fc4ee76\" 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__fc4ee76\" 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__fc4ee76\" 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\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-ef6aa8d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"ef6aa8d\" 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-0c6ddda\" data-id=\"0c6ddda\" 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-87223b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"87223b4\" 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-cf9ff4f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cf9ff4f\" 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><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 1: Choose Your Certification Program<\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should first choose the path you are going to take for your certification. Most businesses will go the normal route and apply for full certification. This is usually what I recommend my clients do. However, if you are already certified with a different agency or partnership organization, there may be a different route for you to take.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the main types of applications:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Full Certification\u00a0<\/span><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Approximate processing time of 60 business days<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Valid for 7 years<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BE Enrolled Business Enterprise Certification Program\u00a0<\/span><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Proof of certification with the City of Chicago or Cook County<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Valid for the length of the reciprocal certification<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transportation Recognition Certification\u00a0<\/span><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Proof of certification for one of these host agencies: CTA, Metra, PACE, and IDOT<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Approximate processing time of 15 to 30 business days<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Valid for 1 year<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FastTrack Certification\u00a0<\/span><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Proof of certification for one of these partner organizations: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagomsdc.org\/certification\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.midstatesmsdc.org\/mbe-services\/certification-overview\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wbdc.org\/certification-services\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Women\u2019s Business Development Center<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Approximate processing time of 7 business days<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Valid for 1 year<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Unlike the City of Chicago + Cook County, there is no application fee to apply for certification with the State of Illinois. Your certification will be good for 7 years with a full certification.<\/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-c86c766 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"c86c766\" 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-e92a842\" data-id=\"e92a842\" 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-a040b60 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"a040b60\" 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-e931d21 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e931d21\" 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><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: Jost; font-size: 40px; letter-spacing: 0px;\">Step 2: Determine Your Eligibility<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, make sure you are eligible for that specific certification.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Program Eligibility Requirements:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ownership + Control<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Have at least 51% of the business owned and controlled by one or more minority groups, women, or persons with a disability\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Business Size<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Have annual gross sales of less than $150 million<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Citizenship<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The owner must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\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-ec5fc43 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"ec5fc43\" 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-1d52fb3\" data-id=\"1d52fb3\" 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-5bc71e6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5bc71e6\" 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><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Which minority groups qualify for MBE certification in Illinois?<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American Indiana or Alaska Native<\/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;\">Black or African American<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hispanic or Latino<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\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-57a3a4d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"57a3a4d\" 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-d1dab72\" data-id=\"d1dab72\" 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-0b9ceb2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0b9ceb2\" 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<!-- Start Styles. Move the 'style' tags and everything between them to between the 'head' tags -->\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n.myTable { background-color:#ffffff;border-collapse:collapse; }\n.myTable th { background-color:#b87333;color:white;width:50%; }\n.myTable td, .myTable th { padding:5px;border:1px solid #000; }\n<\/style>\n<!-- End Styles -->\n<table class=\"myTable\">\n<tr>\n<th>Minority Group<\/th><th>Terms Defined in State Law<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>American Indiana or Alaska Native<\/td><td>A person having origins in any of the original people of North and South America, including Central America, and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachments<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Asian<\/td><td>A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, but not limited to, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Phillippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Black or African American<\/td><td>A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Hispanic or Latino<\/td><td>A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander<\/td><td>A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\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-adcdf42 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"adcdf42\" 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-6c2d092\" data-id=\"6c2d092\" 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-9ef2235 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"9ef2235\" 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-8b47235 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8b47235\" 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><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 3: Gather Your Documents<\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now it is time to start to gather all of the necessary documentation that will be required to complete your application.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This will typically include proof of ownership and control, including articles of incorporation, operating agreements, or partnership agreements that demonstrate the percentage of ownership and control held by women, minorities, or persons with a disability. You will also need to provide proof of the length of time your business has been in operation, such as business licenses or tax filings.<\/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-03015c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"03015c1\" 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-fbf4c9e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"fbf4c9e\" 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-923983d\" data-id=\"923983d\" 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-ba3af0f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ba3af0f\" 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:\/\/courses.elkingconsulting.com\/document-checklist-wbe-mbe-certification\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"412\" src=\"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Lead-Magnet-Document-Checklist-Blog-Banner-1-1024x412.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5404\" alt=\"Free Download - The Ultimate Document Checklist for WBE and MBE Certification in Illinois, Chicago, and Cook County\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Lead-Magnet-Document-Checklist-Blog-Banner-1-1024x412.png 1024w, https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Lead-Magnet-Document-Checklist-Blog-Banner-1-300x121.png 300w, https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Lead-Magnet-Document-Checklist-Blog-Banner-1-768x309.png 768w, https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Lead-Magnet-Document-Checklist-Blog-Banner-1-700x282.png 700w, https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Lead-Magnet-Document-Checklist-Blog-Banner-1.png 1400w\" 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\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-e2dc7ae elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"e2dc7ae\" 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-250c2ad\" data-id=\"250c2ad\" 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-5548b02 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"5548b02\" 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-1e07f2a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1e07f2a\" 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><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 4: Complete and Submit Your Application<\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you have gathered all of the necessary documentation, the next step is to complete and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/supplierdiversitymanagementportal.illinois.gov\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">submit an application<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for certification to the Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The application will ask for basic information about your business, including its name, address, and contact information. It will also ask for more detailed information about the ownership and control of your business, such as the names and addresses of the people who own and control it. You will also start to upload the documentation that you have been gathering.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you have submitted your application and all necessary documentation, it will be reviewed and processed by the State. This process can take several weeks or months, depending on the workload and backlog of applications. They generally say their processing time is 60 days from the submittal of a complete application.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*Note to my clients + friends: As<\/span><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\u00a0of June 24, 2024, the online portal was moved from\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ceibep.diversitysoftware.com\/?TN=ceibep\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\u00a0to\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/supplierdiversitymanagementportal.illinois.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a><span style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">.<\/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-50200d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"50200d8\" 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-cf5c0b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cf5c0b0\" 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><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conclusion<\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Becoming certified as a WBE or MBE in Illinois can open up a wide range of new opportunities and benefits for your business! By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the certification process.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you need additional help, feel free to <\/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 together, we will navigate the certification process for your business.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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 who want to win more government contracts in Illinois.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wishing you success on your certification journey!<\/span><\/em><\/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-cfda274 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"cfda274\" 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-30079c7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"30079c7\" 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-7ef514a\" data-id=\"7ef514a\" 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-5705a81 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5705a81\" 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 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\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-580f073 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"580f073\" 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-cbbe359\" data-id=\"cbbe359\" 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-7148aba elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"7148aba\" 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-cc0e91b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cc0e91b\" 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><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAQ\u2019s<\/span><\/h2>\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-883de02 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"883de02\" 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-c51f434\" data-id=\"c51f434\" 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-467c2d3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-toggle\" data-id=\"467c2d3\" 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-7391\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-7391\" 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\">Can I be both a WBE and an MBE?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-7391\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-7391\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, a business owned and controlled by women who are also minorities can be certified as both a \u201cwomen-owned business\u201d and a \u201cminority-owned business.\u201d<\/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-7392\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-7392\" 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 does it mean to have Hispanic or Latino descent in terms of MBE certification in Illinois?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-7392\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-7392\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It means a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.<\/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-7393\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-7393\" 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 does it mean to have American Indian or Alaska Native descent?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-7393\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-7393\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It means a person having origins in any of the original people of North and South America, including Central America, and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachments.<\/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-7394\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-7394\" 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 does it mean to have Asian descent in terms of MBE certification in Illinois?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-7394\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-7394\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It means a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, but not limited to, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Phillippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.<\/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-7395\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-7395\" 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 does it mean to have Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander descent in terms of MBE certification in Illinois?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-7395\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-7395\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It means a person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.<\/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-7396\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-7396\" 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 do you prove ethnicity?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-7396\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-7396\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can provide a written statement.<\/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-7397\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-7397\" 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\">Do you have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for WBE or MBE certification in Illinois?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-7397\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-7397\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No, you can be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the United States.<\/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-7398\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"8\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-7398\" 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 do you prove citizenship?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-7398\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"8\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-7398\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can provide U.S. citizenship with a copy of your passport.<\/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-7399\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"9\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-7399\" 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 laws + regulations for the Business Enterprise Program?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-7399\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"9\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-7399\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilga.gov\/legislation\/ilcs\/ilcs5.asp?ActID=532&amp;ChapAct=30%26nbsp%3bILCS%26nbsp%3b500\/&amp;ChapterID=7&amp;ChapterName=FINANCE&amp;ActName=Illinois+Procurement+Code.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Procurement Code (30 ILCS 500)<\/span><\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilga.gov\/legislation\/ilcs\/ilcs3.asp?ActID=550&amp;ChapterID=7#:~:text=30%20ILCS%20575\/%20Business%20Enterprise%2cand%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%20Act.&amp;text=Updating%20the%20database%20of%20the%2csoon%20after%20they%20become%20law.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The New Business Enterprise Program Act (PA 101-0657)<\/span><\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilga.gov\/legislation\/ilcs\/ilcs3.asp?ActID=4087&amp;ChapterID=7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Commission on Equity and Inclusion Act (30 ILCS 574)<\/span><\/a><\/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-bc4e6ee elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"bc4e6ee\" 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-c162ca0\" data-id=\"c162ca0\" 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-2325135 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"2325135\" 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-33da68b elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"33da68b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInRight&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=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may also be interested in:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wbe-certification-chicago\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Apply for WBE Certification in Chicago<\/a><\/strong><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wbe-certification-benefits\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Benefits of WBE Certification in Illinois: Contracts, Contacts + Resources<\/a><\/strong><\/li><li aria-level=\"1\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/dbe-certification-idot\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Apply for DBE Certification with IDOT<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\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-7c57c49 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default parallax_section_no qode_elementor_container_no\" data-id=\"7c57c49\" 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-5a1e944\" data-id=\"5a1e944\" 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-30f89df elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-catalogbooking\" data-id=\"30f89df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\" 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\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 ready to unlock a world of opportunities? Becoming certified as a women-owned business (WBE) or minority-owned business (MBE) in the State of Illinois is a valuable way to gain access to government contracting + partnership opportunities.\u00a0 There are many perks of getting certified&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":140240785,"featured_media":5401,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1455],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5399","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wbe-mbe-certification"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5399","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=5399"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5399\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5401"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5399"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5399"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/s046.wptstaging.space\/elking\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5399"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}