Certification �the �Cook County Way

Center for Business Enterprise Development

v.1.2025

Meet Our Team

Our Goal

• To create a pool of diverse, eligible, qualified, and ready-to-contract vendors that can compete within a local marketplace of opportunity we call “Cook County”, 2nd largest County in North America

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• To be a leader in transforming the landscape and infrastructure of our local resources that invites economic growth

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• To be a catalyst in the sustainability of socially and economically disadvantaged business communities

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What We Do

Types of Certifications

Race and Gender Neutral programming for local small business is actively being explored – more information to come soon!

• Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE)
• Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE)
• Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise (VBE)
• Service-Disabled Business Enterprise (SDVBE)
• Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprise (PDBE)

Must be 51% or more owned, operated, and controlled by these protected classifications

Certification Eligibility

• What evidence do you have to support and evidence

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• Your Knowledge

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• Your Expertise

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• Your Control

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• Your Management

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• Your Independence

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• Your Viability

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• Your Location

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This information must be described in detail (in addition to applicable and supporting documentation) as it pertains to the industry for which certification is being requested.

What Does Your Company Do and How?

���Online Application Process�www.cookcounty.diversitycompliance.com���

• Make sure you use the checklist to ensure you have uploaded all the applicable documents
• Make sure all documents that require signature and date are physically signed and dated
• Make sure that contact information is correct
• Make sure the complete federal tax returns, including schedules, have been submitted for the applicant firm, each owner, and all affiliates of the applicant firm and owners
• Make sure that all applicable licenses are submitted for your Industry, City, State and local municipality

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• Application Fee is $250
• Once an application is submitted, it will undergo a cursory review with Intake. Once the application is accepted, you will receive an email notice to pay the non-refundable $250 fee
• This is an electronic payment due within five days of notice

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• Once payment is received, applications are then assigned to an Officer for in-depth reviews

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• Electronic notice will be sent when an Officer is assigned to review your application

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Before Submission

After Submission

��Information Needed�Proof of Eligibility Documents (not all-inclusive)��

1. Ownership, Employee, Facility, Financial, and License Information (i.e., by-laws, articles of organization, W2/1099, lease agreements/deeds, stock certificates, industry licenses, etc.)
2. Resume(s) of Owners, Key Management and Decision Makers
3. Evidence of Executed Contracts and/or Invoices
4. Driver’s License or State Issues ID
5. Birth Certificate or Passport
6. Proof of Equity Contribution/Investment for Each Owner
7. Business Bank Account Statement and Signature Card (no redactions or black-outs)
8. Equipment List
9. Loan Information
10. Business Plan *
11. Organizational Chart *
12. Supplementary Documents May Be Requested During the Officer Review

�Small Business Certification��

Do You Qualify?

• Must be a small business as defined by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) - gross receipts must not exceed the Small Business Administration revenue standards (13 CFR Part 121) averaged over 7 years for both construction and non-construction firms.

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• Economically Disadvantaged owners must meet personal Net Worth criteria

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• Personal Net Worth (“PNW”) – an individual with a Personal Net Worth less than $2,000,000.00 indexed annually for the Chicago Metro Area Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Standards, beginning January 2008 *$2,767,082.23 for 2024, TBD for 2025

�After Applications Are Submitted��

Your application is checked to make sure we have all documentation

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The process can take approximately 90 -120 days from the day we receive “all” documents

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Documents are thoroughly reviewed

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You may receive a site visit. Applicants in the areas of Construction, Trucking, and Supplier/ Distributors should expect a site visit

���SMALL BUSINESS CERTIFICATION���

Benefits of Certification

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• Provides visibility - once certified your firm is listed in a directory that is accessible to the general public.
• www.cookcounty.diversitycompliance.com

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• There are business participation goals and/or incentives on Cook County projects and through sister agencies.

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• No Expirations on Certifications (must submit annual renewals and remain eligible)

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• There are companies and organizations in the private sector that seek certified firms for products and/or services.

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• Cook County has reciprocity with the City of Chicago for a One-Stop-Shop
• One certification serves as certification for City and County

�Once Certified��

On The Road

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To support our vendor communities, we offer

“On the Road” workshops, facilitate virtual workshops, hosts events, guest speaking, and panelists for other agencies and organizations

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Apply at:

www.cookcounty.diversitycompliance.com

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Website:

https://www.cookcountyil.gov/agency/business-enterprise-development

FAQs:

https://www.cookcountyil.gov/service/busin ess-enterprise-development-faqs

Office:

312-603-5502

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