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Illinois Business Enterprise Program Certification.

BEP provides free Illinois certification for qualifying minority-, woman-, and disability-owned businesses.

Offered byIllinois Commission on Equity and Inclusionverified 2026-07-10

Overview

What it does.

Certified firms appear in the state directory and may participate in procurements with BEP goals. The business must document at least 51% qualifying ownership and control and meet current size and owner-status requirements.

Best for: A qualifying Chester business pursuing state contracts or supplier-diversity opportunities.

Eligibility

Who and what may qualify.

Eligible applicants

  • Businesses meeting current ownership, control, residency-status, and gross-sales requirements for minority-, woman-, or disability-owned certification

Eligible uses

  • State supplier-diversity certification and directory listing
  • Eligibility to participate toward BEP goals in applicable public procurements

Uses excluded by the source

  • Direct grants or automatic contract awards

Application

How to start.

  1. Review the current ownership, control, citizenship or residency, and sales requirements.
  2. Create an account in the certification and compliance portal.
  3. Submit the application and required business, ownership, financial, and affidavit records.

Timing: Applications are accepted continuously; annual maintenance filings apply after full certification.

Planning notes

Limits to account for.

  • Certification does not guarantee a contract.
  • Ownership and control must be documented, not nominal.

Use with IPG, BidBuy, APEX advising, and relevant lender programs.

Evidence

Official sources.