Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion Faces Challenges with Diversity Certifications
The Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion has reported a significant increase in the number of businesses certified for better access to state contracts, following a partial resolution to a longstanding computer system issue. The problem began in July 2024 when the commission switched to a new system intended to streamline operations. However, the new system was incompatible with other government agencies, leading to a sharp decline in certified businesses from a peak of 5,400 to about 2,700 by May 2026. Recently, the number of certified businesses rose by 21% to 3,268, marking the first substantial increase since the system change. The commission is working on a solution for automated data uploads to further improve the process. 
