Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is leading a coalition of attorneys general nationwide in calling for federal support of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, which assists minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses to obtain equitable access to federally funded transportation contracts. 

In a joint letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation signed by Raoul and fellow attorneys general, they complained about legal assaults threatening the DBE program's existence. 

They emphasized the importance of the continued efforts of dismantling deeply rooted disparities in public contracting and avoiding underrepresented businesses from lagging behind.

The formal announcement released by Raoul's office says that the program is still vital to achieving economic inclusion in sectors where minority participation has been curtailed by systemic barriers. This is a follow-up to an increasing statewide push in Illinois to tackle equity in public procurement. 

This past year, the Illinois legislature pushed forward with a detailed equity package meant to assist Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) and Veteran Business Programs (VBPs). The Illinois Tollway is also on track to publish a DBE disparity study, which will assess participation rates and determine future diversity initiatives.

As infrastructure spending increases, state government officials maintain that the pros of DBE programs are crucial to leveling the playing field and making sure all qualified firms, irrespective of background, get an equal opportunity at public contracts.