Today’s Challenge, Tomorrow’s Reward honors top performers, reaffirms commitment to DBE program
Two-day conference aims to increase diversity, inclusion on IDOT projects
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation concluded another successful Today’s Challenge, Tomorrow’s Reward conference, drawing record attendance and recognizing top performers in the industry, while pledging the agency’s ongoing and continued commitment to the state’s minority- and women-owned businesses through the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program.
“Thanks to Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program, the biggest construction program in the state’s history, the strength of our DBE program never has been greater,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “Today’s Challenge, Tomorrow’s Reward reaffirmed that the future of the DBE program also is brighter than ever. We are committed to making it better for the long haul by getting our small businesses the tools they need to succeed.”
Today’s Challenge, Tomorrow’s Reward is a two-day conference sponsored by IDOT’s Office of Business and Workforce Diversity to provide the tools and resources that help firms participate in state projects through the agency’s DBE program. Held Feb. 26 and 27, this year’s conference shattered previous attendance records, drawing 454 attendees representing a variety of prime contractors and subcontractors.
The department is looking to grow its recent successes in making projects more inclusive and diverse. Last year was the first time in at least 15 years that IDOT exceeded its federal DBE goal as well as the third consecutive year it experienced an increase in participation levels of minority- and women-owned businesses on state projects. The conference aimed to expand on those efforts through networking and skill-building activities that create more participation opportunities and competition among the state’s small business community.
The conference concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing the achievements and efforts that helped to grow and support minority- and female-owned businesses in 2024.
The recipients:
- Construction/Trucking DBE of the Year – Done Rite Construction of Littleton.
- Architectural/Engineering DBE of the Year – TransLand Engineering Group LLC of Lisle.
- Supplier/Professional DBE of the Year – The Final Connection of Kankakee.
- Prime of the Primes – Keeley and Sons Inc. of East St. Louis.
- Roberto Orozco Memorial Award – Tanya Adams, WSP USA of Chicago.
Watch for registration details for next year’s Today’s Challenge, Tomorrow’s Reward at idot.illinois.gov.
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Paul Wappel
Maria Castaneda
