Comptroller Mendoza invites Illinois small businesses to take advantage
of services offered by her office
[May 06, 2025] This
is National Small Business Week and Comptroller Mendoza is highlighting
programs that are available through the Illinois Office of Comptroller
(IOC).
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are 1.3
million small businesses in Illinois, employing 2.3 million people.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and I want to
make sure they receive the support they need to be successful,” said
Comptroller Mendoza. “My office’s Smart Business program provides the
tools and know-how for businesses to become registered with various
State of Illinois programs, making them eligible to bid on certain types
of contracts.”
The
Smart Business Program teaches business owners about the Illinois
certification and procurement process, provides counseling, guidance,
up-to-date resources, information, and alerts members of state contract
opportunities. The idea is to expand the state’s contractor network and
provide opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses.
IOC staff help small business owners through the process of registering
for the
Small Business Set-Aside Program, which features contracts
“set-aside” for small business owners. This assistance includes
instruction on what paperwork is needed, how to navigate the state’s
BidBuy procurement system and what contract opportunities may be
available.
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“We want to make sure current and potential small and minority owned
business owners get registered and then have an opportunity to bid on
state contracts. My staff is ready to work with them one-on-one to get
that done,” says Comptroller Mendoza.
The IOC can also walk business owners through the process of certifying
as a minority/women/veteran/disabled owned business through the
Business Enterprise Program (BEP) and offers resources for getting
certified with the federal government, City of Chicago and other
municipalities as well. It’s recommended that business owners begin by
contacting the IOC and registering for the Small Business Set-Aside
Program. They can register
here and someone from the IOC will be in touch.
Additionally, the IOC offers presentations to organizations about the
Smart Business program in-person or virtually. For more information,
please call Julie Ayres at 312-814-0034 to inquire about scheduling.
[Illinois
Office of Comptroller]
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