Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill that creates a task force charged with helping minority-owned businesses. Quinn signed the legislation after addressing the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce during its annual meeting in East Peoria. Quinn says the newly-created Workforce Development Task Force will make recommendations to the General Assembly this winter:
“You don't want to have things in the law that make it harder for any business - particularly a minority-owned business that might be just starting - to get a good start. So the bill calls for a regular review of all the policies and laws of Illinois as they have to do with procurement, opportunity to bid and also the opportunity to get a contract,” Quinn says.
Quinn says the Taskforce will also work with Black Chambers in the state to share information to help small and minority-owned businesses get started. The chair of the U of I Board of Trustees will chair the 17-member task force. Quinn also touted his support for same-sex marriage equality in the state. The House Black Caucus is divided over the issue.