IL SB4008

Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) must establish a goal to award at least 3% of total contract dollars to qualified service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small businesses across NITA, CTA, Suburban Bus Division, and Commuter Rail Division.

Annual reporting to the Governor and General Assembly is required by March 1, including the number of veteran-owned businesses that submitted bids, contracts awarded, and year-by-year comparisons.

The Board must conduct yearly reviews of progress toward the 3% goal with input from veterans' service organizations and the business community, and recommend any adjustments to the percentage goal to the General Assembly.

Violations of specified Criminal Code offenses result in a minimum 3-year suspension from bidding on or participating in any Authority contracts, plus revocation of veteran-owned business certification for at least 3 years.

Qualifying businesses must be at least 51% owned by veterans residing in Illinois, have a home office in Illinois, and meet the small business threshold of less than $150 million in annual gross sales.