IRTBA will play an active role in addressing diversity within the industry. The following Diversity goals were accomplished in the first and second quarters of 2020:
- Nominated IRTBA Board Member and Treasurer Julie Berger Chamberlin for Crain's Chicago Businesses' 2020 Notable Women in Construction & Design. Also issued congratulations to numerous female executives that are active members of the IRTBA who were also featured on this year's list to celebrate exceptional women in construction and design, including Elizabeth Gallagher, senior vice president and Great Lakes regional manager at Alfred Benesch; Erin Inman, president and CEO of Primera Engineers; Mary Person, vice president at F.H. Paschen; and Paula Pienton, senior vice president at T.Y. Lin International.
- Advertised multiple small business bid opportunities from the Illinois Tollway.
- Educated small businesses on the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s (IDFPR) launch of emergency loan assistance program, including small business relief loans.
- Hosted a webinar on the basics of MBE/WBE/DBE certification, common pitfalls in the application process, as well as the ongoing requirements of certification, provided insights on how companies could leverage certification, showcased how to implement a plan for different types of teaming arrangements, and shared tips about meeting contract compliance requirements when performing as an MBE/WBE/DBE.
- Promoted National Women in Construction Week in an industry social media campaign.
- Advertised the opportunity for small, diverse, and veteran-owned businesses to participate in a critical assistance program that was implemented through the Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program for companies receive comprehensive, customized business development assistance for increased business stability and growth in the transportation-related construction industry, which included education, guidance, and feedback on general business and construction-specific operations, including strategic planning and assistance with Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) or Capital Development Board (CDB) pre-qualification applications.
- Encouraged Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation in the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project via attendance at a virtual networking opportunity.