SB 2295 — DCEO-EMPLOY SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

*LRB10412157SPS22257b* SB2295 104THEngrossed GENERALLRB104 ASSEMBLY12157 StateSPS of22257 Illinoisb andAN 2026ACT SB2295concerning IntroducedState 2/7/2025,government. by Sen.

Celina Villanueva SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

ILCS 605/605-55 was 20 ILCS 605/46.21 Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may enter into contracts, including, but not limited to, making grants and loans, with employment social enterprises.

Defines terms.

LRB104 12157 SPS 22257 b A BILL FOR SB2295 LRB104 12157 SPS 22257 b AN ACT concerning State government.

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by changing Section 605-55605-1032 as follows:

(20 ILCS 605/605-55)605/605-1032) (was 20 ILCS 605/46.21) Sec.

605-55.605-1032.

ContractsOffice andof otherEconomic actsEquity toand accomplishEmpowerment. Department's duties.

To(a) makeAs andused enter into contracts, including, but not limited to, making grants and loans to units of local government, private agencies as defined in thethis IllinoisSection: State Auditing Act, non-profit corporations, educational institutions, employment social enterprises, and for-profit businesses as authorized pursuant to appropriations by the General Assembly from the Build Illinois Bond Fund, the Rebuild Illinois Projects Fund, the Fund for Illinois' Future, the Capital Development Fund, and the General Revenue Fund, and generally to do all things that, in its judgment, may be necessary, proper, and expedient in accomplishing its duties.

For"Eligible thenot-for-profit purposescorporation" of this Section, "employment social enterprise" means a non-profitnot-for-profit orcorporation, for-profitas entitydefined thatin providesSection services101.80 orof producesthe orGeneral assemblesNot goodsFor andProfit demonstratesCorporation aAct missionof to1986, providethat employmentprimarily andserves socialminorities, SB2295women, -veterans, 2or -persons LRB104 12157 SPS 22257 b supports, including on-the-job training and life skills training, to employees who are individuals with a barrierdisability. to employment.

"Employment social enterprise" means a nonprofit or for-profit organization that:

(1) demonstrates a mission to provide employment and social supports with on-the-job and life skills training to individuals with a barrier to employment;

and (2) provides services or produces or assembles goods, or a combination of both.

"Office" means the Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment.

SB2295 Engrossed - 2 - LRB104 12157 SPS 22257 b (b) The Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment is hereby created within the Department.

The Office shall assist minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, employment social enterprises, eligible not-for-profit corporations, and other underserved communities and constituencies through targeted programs, resources, and outreach and promotional activities.

The Office may engage in or conduct the following activities:

(1) promoting and conducting outreach efforts to ensure access to State and federal funding opportunities, and assisting minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, employment social enterprises, eligible not-for-profit corporations, and other underserved communities and constituencies in applying for and receiving loan funds in the State;

(2) providing and hosting workshops and public forums and engaging in outreach efforts for minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, employment social enterprises, and other underserved communities and constituencies to encourage participation in programs under the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act, and assisting those businesses in becoming designated under that Act and SB2295 Engrossed - 3 - LRB104 12157 SPS 22257 b under similar certification programs;

(3) providing and hosting workshops and public forums and engaging in outreach efforts that assist and educate minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, employment social enterprises, eligible not-for-profit corporations, and other underserved communities and constituencies on the process of applying for and becoming certified to apply for State grant funds under the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act;

(4) providing and hosting workshops and public forums and engaging in outreach efforts that assist and educate aspiring and existing minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, employment social enterprises, eligible not-for-profit corporations, and other underserved communities and constituencies with understanding concepts including, but not limited to, business formation and not-for-profit incorporation, business planning, capital access, and marketing a business or not-for-profit corporation;

(5) administering programs established by the Department or the General Assembly to provide grants to minority-owned businesses, woman-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, employment social enterprises, eligible SB2295 Engrossed - 4 - LRB104 12157 SPS 22257 b not-for-profit corporations, and other underserved communities and constituencies;

(6) coordinating assistance for minority-owned businesses, woman-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, employment social enterprises, eligible not-for-profit corporations, and other underserved communities and constituencies with other State agencies;

(7) providing staff, administration, and related support required to administer this Section;

and (8) establishing applications, notifications, contracts, and other forms and procedures, and adopting rules deemed necessary and appropriate.

(c) The Office may use vendors or enter into contracts to carry out the purposes of this Section, including, but not limited to, engaging employment social enterprises as service providers for workforce development, business training, and economic empowerment programs.

102-699,103-889, eff.

4-19-22;1-1-25.)

103-588, eff.

6-5-24.)