Supplier diversity in Chicago.
Chicago has one of the most established municipal supplier diversity programs in the country — the City's M/WBE program traces back to 1990, and the City of Chicago has consistently routed 25%+ of its procurement to certified diverse firms. Combined with Cook County, the Illinois Department of Central Management Services BEP (Business Enterprise Program), and the Chicago Transit Authority's DBE program, the public-sector SD pipeline in Chicago is among the deepest in any U.S. metro.
On the corporate side, Chicago's Fortune 500 base spans manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, and consumer goods. The Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council is one of the largest NMSDC affiliates and has been a major Tier 1 development pipeline for decades.
- Manufacturing
- financial services
- food and beverage
- healthcare
- technology
- transportation/logistics
- professional services
- real estate
- energy
City and county certification programs in Chicago
**City of Chicago M/WBE certification** is administered by the Department of Procurement Services. The City has a 26% MBE / 6% WBE goal on its construction and supply contracts. Application is free; processing 60-120 days; renewal annual.
**Cook County M/WBE certification** is separate but reciprocity exists with City certifications in many categories.
**Illinois BEP (Business Enterprise Program)** is the State of Illinois certification for state agency contracts. State agencies have a 30% combined goal across MBE, WBE, PBE (people with disabilities), and VBE categories. Illinois BEP recognizes City of Chicago and Cook County certifications for many categories.
**Chicago Transit Authority DBE** for federally-funded transit work. CTA capital programs (the Red and Purple Line modernization is currently the largest single DBE-eligible procurement in the metro) generate billions in subcontracting opportunities.
Where to certify in the Chicago region
Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council (ChicagoMSDC)
Process your NMSDC MBE certification through this regional council.
Visit the council →Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) — Chicago
Process your WBENC WBE certification through this Regional Partner Organization.
Visit the RPO →Federal contracting opportunities in Chicago
Federal contracting in the Chicago metro centers on the GSA (Region 5 headquarters), the VA (Hines, Jesse Brown, North Chicago facilities), the Department of Defense (Great Lakes Naval Station, Rock Island Arsenal nearby), Department of Transportation (FAA, FTA Regional offices), and the Department of Homeland Security (TSA at O'Hare and Midway).
Hines VA and Jesse Brown VAMC together represent significant SDVOSB and Veterans First procurement opportunities. GSA Region 5 is one of the larger regional GSA Schedules contracting centers.
Fortune 500 buyers headquartered in or near Chicago
Chicago metro Fortune 500 supplier diversity programs:
**Industrial & manufacturing:** Boeing (corporate HQ in Arlington VA but Chicago legacy presence), Caterpillar, Deere & Co (Moline), Abbott, AbbVie, Mondelez, Kraft Heinz, Archer Daniels Midland.
**Financial services:** Allstate, CME Group, Discover, Northern Trust.
**Healthcare:** Walgreens Boots Alliance, AbbVie, Baxter International, Astellas Pharma US.
**Consumer goods & food:** McDonald's, Conagra Brands, US Foods, Kellanova (formerly Kellogg).
Chicago is unusually strong for Tier 1 MBE supplier development because ChicagoMSDC has been running MBEIC industry councils for decades. Several of the largest national MBE firms got their Tier 1 start in Chicago corporate programs.
Chicago FAQ
What is Illinois BEP certification?
BEP — Business Enterprise Program — is the State of Illinois's certification for MBE, WBE, PBE (People with Disabilities Business Enterprise), and VBE firms doing business with state agencies. The state has a 30% combined goal across categories. BEP is administered by the Department of Central Management Services and is free to apply for.
Does Chicago M/WBE certification work for the State of Illinois?
Reciprocity exists for many but not all categories. The State of Illinois BEP accepts City of Chicago M/WBE certifications for some categories but requires its own certification for others. Check with the Illinois Department of Central Management Services for your specific NAICS and category.
How do I bid on CTA contracts as a DBE?
Get DBE certified through the State of Illinois Unified Certification Program (UCP), then register on the CTA's bidder portal. CTA's Red and Purple Line Modernization project alone has billions in DBE-eligible subcontracting opportunities through its prime contractors.
Certify and bid in Chicago.
The certification quiz checks your business against every federal, state, and corporate certification in play for the Chicago market and orders the matches by which buyers active here accept each one.