CHICAGO— Gov. Bruce Rauner today moved to increase the participation of minority-owned businesses in the state procurement process. By Executive Order 18-07, he established the Illinois African American Fair Contracting Commission and made it possible for contracts to be cancelled if African-American participation goals are not being met.

The moves are among a series of recommendations from a task force created with the passage of the Fair Practices in Contracting Act.  Headed by Chicago businessman Willie Wilson, the group was formed in 2016 and is responsible for making recommendations to address disparities in the award of contracts to African-American-owned businesses.

The Task Force was formed recognizing that African Americans represent 10% of business ownership in Illinois, yet only 1% of the total spending of the State of Illinois on state contracts. “This disparity is unacceptable,” Rauner said in announcing the order.

The Rauner administration is a staunch ally of minority business development. In recent years, African-American businesses have been growing under the Business Enterprise Program. Though they earned only $210.4 million from FY12-14, African-American businesses have earned $243.1 million from FY15-17 through BEP. Rauner’s executive order is intended to further accelerate growth of African-American businesses in state contracting.

“The Task Force submitted a thoughtful plan that will help us boost minority participation in state government’s business,” Gov. Rauner said. “Their recommendations comprise some of the most substantial steps ever taken to help create opportunities for African-American-owned businesses. I look forward to working with the Fair Contracting Commission to expand opportunities for African-American contractors.”

“This Task Force was a bipartisan effort for which I would like to thank Gov. Rauner, Sen. Mattie Hunter, and Rep. Will Davis,” said Wilson. “We recognized that these important measures needed to be taken to strengthen economic development and job creation in the African-American community.  The State’s engagement with African-American vendors will help lead to reduced unemployment and crime in areas that need job opportunities the most.”

In addition to the standing Commission, the Task Force recommended that addressing the underrepresentation of African-American-owned business in state contracts should be declared a compelling interest of the State.  Agencies will be held accountable for furthering that goal and contracts that are determined noncompliant with that goal will be cancelled.

Agency management personnel will also be held individually accountable through performance evaluations that assess their role in addressing the African-American contracting disparity.  Additionally, the Task Force recommended that the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) lower the threshold for minority contracting goals to $100,000 from $250,000.

Executive Order 18-07 adopts these policies, immediately reducing the BEP threshold while mandating that within 30 days the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) issue guidance on the new requirements to state agencies. The General Services Chief Procurement Officer will have jurisdiction. CMS will set 60 and 120-day timelines for compliance and evaluation. They will also establish metrics to measure achievement.

“Thanks to the governor for giving us this unique opportunity,” said Rep. Will Davis, D-Hazel Crest. “I appreciate his desire to help and support African-American businesses. This executive order is a great first step in the right direction.”

INA, Ill. – Three specialized trainings for surface and underground miners have been scheduled to meet seven times this summer at Rend Lake College. All training courses will meet on the RLC Ina campus in the Coal Mining Training Center, and will be taught by RLC Mining Technology Instructor Don McBride.

Annual Surface and Underground Refresher trainings are set for 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. on the following Fridays: June 8, July 27, and August 24. Each course costs $50.

New Miner Surface and Underground trainings are also on the schedule for June and August. Miners will meet from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday, June 18 through Friday, June 22, or Monday, August 6 through Friday, August 10. The cost of the class is $165, and attendees must pre-pay and pre-register.

New miners needing the surface-only trainings will meet from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 20 through Friday, June 22, or Wednesday, August 8 through Friday, August 10. The cost of the training is $120.

For more information, contact McBride at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1217 or mcbrided@rlc.edu. To register for any of the trainings, contact Joy Fitts at Ext. 1261 or fittsj@rlc.edu.

5-5-18 at 2:59 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Webb Hill Road north of State Hwy. 14.  A 2003 G.M.C. Sierra driven by Merlin R. Weaver age 18 of Benton, was traveling northbound on Well Hill Road.  A 1988 Ford F150 Pick-Up Truck, driven by Christopher M. Clements age 17 of Ewing, pulled out of a private drive into the path of the G.M.C. causing the crash.  There were no injuries and a ticket was issued for failure to yield right of way.

5-5-18 at 4:15 pm Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in Buckner.  The investigation resulted in the arrest of Stephen A. Morris age 24 of Buckner for domestic battery.

5-6-18 at 8:28 am Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in Mulkeytown.  The investigation led to the arrest of Nichole M. Pratt age 35 of Christopher for aggravated assault and possession of methamphetamine.

5-7-18 at 9:31 pm Deputies responded to a single vehicle traffic crash on Carlyle Road in rural Thompsonville.  A 2000 Chevrolet Trail Blazer, driven by Hunter L. Woodring age 18 of Thompsonville, was traveling west bound, when he lost control, ran off the roadway, struck several small trees and overturned.  The driver suffered unknown injuries and was transported to a local hospital by family members.

5-8-18 at 5:53 am a traffic stop in Benton resulted in the arrest of Derek M. Sloan age 30 of Galatia for driving while license revoked and for an outstanding Union County warrant for failure to appear on traffic charges.

5-10-18 at 12:09 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on State Hwy. Rt. 149 near Antioch Church Road.  A 2011 Ford Focus, driven by Haley Ann Simmons age 20 of Energy, was traveling eastbound behind a 2012 Honda Civic also traveling eastbound.  The Civic was driven by Mackenzie K. Trent age 18 of West Frankfort.  The Civic slowed to make a left turn and was rear-ended by the Focus.  There were no injuries and Haley Simmons was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

5-10-18 at 1:40 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Park Street Road at Lincoln Road.  A 2017 G.M.C. Truck driven by Sean P. Murphy age 38 of Johnston City was eastbound on Park Street Road and slowed to negotiate a right turn, when he was rear-ended by a 1999 Dodge 1500 Truck, driven by Matthew T. Stowers age 34 of DuQuoin.  There were no injuries and Matthew Stowers was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

5-12-18 at 7:35 pm a traffic stop in West Frankfort led to the arrest of Richard W. Mobley age 53 of West Frankfort for driving while license suspended.

5-12-18 at 8:28 pm Deputies responded to a single vehicle traffic crash on Il. Rt. 34 just east of Ford Road.  A 1998 Harley Davidson Motorcycle, driven by Richard W. Harbour age 61 of Benton, was west bound and struck a deer that crossed in front of the motorcycle.  Both the driver and a passenger, Jennifer M. Rumsey-Harbour age 39 of Benton were ejected and received major injuries.  Both were air-evacuated to an out of state hospital.  Neither were wearing a helmet.

5-14-18 at 8:09 pm Deputies responded to a single vehicle traffic crash on State Hwy. Rt. 37 south of Benton near Andrews Road.  A 2018 Jeep Liberty driven by Paul E. Taylor age 45 of Herrin was southbound, ran off the west side of the roadway and overturned.  The driver suffered undetermined injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott E.M.S.  The driver will be charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid a traffic crash and driving under the influence of alcohol.

5-16-18 at 8:15 am Deputies responded to a two vehicle crash on Il. Rt. 154 at Il. Rt. 37.  A 2004 Ford Explorer, driven by Roxanne L. Thomas age 33 of Geff, was eastbound on Rt. 154.  As the Explorer approached the intersection with Rt. 37., it failed to stop at the traffic control device and pulled into the path of a southbound 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by Crystal D. Griffith age 42 of Bonnie.  Crystal Griffith received minor injuries but refused medical treatment.  Roxanne Thomas received major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott E.M.S.  She is being cited for disobeying a stop sign.

5-16-18 at 8:00 am Deputies responded to a reported suspicious person near a private residence in Orient.  The investigation resulted in the arrest of Robert J. Carlton age 48 of Mulkeytown for criminal trespass, possession of hypodermic needles and obstructing a peace officer.

5-17-18 at 8:45 am a traffic stop in Benton resulted in the arrest of Megan C. Brown age 32 of Anna for driving while license revoked.

WARRANT ARRESTS

 5-5-18 Dustin L. Motsinger age 32 of Mt. Vernon.  Drug charges

5-7-18 Michelle A. Palmer age 33 of Johnston City.  Failure to appear on traffic charges.

5-12-18 Keri L. Case age 37 of Carmi.  Failure to appear for theft

5-14-18 Thomas J. Wiley age 39 of Benton.  Failure to appear for resisting arrest

5-14-18 Joshua K. Cook age 41 of Christopher.  Failure to appear for criminal damage to property

5-17-18 Kellie L. Collins age 42 of West Frankfort.  Failure to appear for criminal damage to property