Springfield, IL – Legislation sponsored by Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) that would raise the state's contract goal for minority and women-owned businesses from 10 percent to 20 percent passed out of committee today.  

Senate Bill 275 increases opportunity for minority and women owned businesses to win state construction contracts. It would require building construction contracts in excess of $250,000 be unbundled or subject to separate and independent bidding processes for each of the five required subdivisions of work. For instance, it would separate plumbing from general contract work.

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Springfield, IL –Legislation co-sponsored by Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey), which proposes a plan to undo the cuts to social services recently enacted by Gov. Rauner., passed the Senate today.

“This legislation is a product of a bipartisan effort to ensure services to the most vulnerable remain funded,” Harris said. “This plan uses surplus funds normally reserved for special interests, to restore funding for autism, epilepsy and substance abuse prevention. These cuts affect real people, and we must continue a bipartisan effort to ensure these programs remain funded.”

The legislation, Senate Bill 274, now goes to the house for consideration.