Compliance

MTD has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 26. MTD has received Federal financial assistance from the Department of Transportation, and as a condition of receiving this assistance, MTD has signed an assurance that it will comply with 49 CFR Part 26.

In compliance with state law, MTD collects and publishes demographic information provided by vendors and subcontractors doing business with MTD, including whether the company is owned by a minority, woman, veteran, or person with a disability.

MTD hosted an outreach event on January 9, 2025 for discussion and feedback on the FY 2025 - FY 2027 DBE goal and methodology. The presentation is provided here.

MTD utilizes the DBE certification program established by IDOT, City of Chicago, CTA, Metra, and Pace. Firms must be listed in the IL UCP DBE Directory to be counted towards DBE participation for MTD's projects.

Free support is provided to Illinois Department of Transportation's (IDOT) DBE firms seeking IDOT DBE certification, to IL UCP DBE certified firms who have an IDOT contract, and to prime contractors doing business with IDOT.

​Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) are a portal for small businesses looking to enter the world of government contracting. The centers provide one-on-one counseling, technical information, marketing assistance and training to existing businesses. Champaign-Urbana's nearest PTAC is at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.

The Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program is designed to prepare emerging and established transportation-related construction firms including disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprise firms, service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses and veteran-owned small businesses as well as small businesses to participate on highway and vertical construction contracts.

The U.S. Small Business Administration offers free counseling, financial assistance, special loan programs, special assistance to women and veterans, and more. The Illinois Branch Office is located in Springfield, serving 73 counties in central and southern Illinois (including Champaign County). The Illinois District Office is located in Chicago, serving 29 counties in northern Illinois.

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Champaign County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is part of America’s Small Business Development Center Network, the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States. The goal of the network is to help new entrepreneurs achieve their goals, and assist existing businesses in staying successful in the complex marketplace locally, regionally, and globally.

The Women’s Business Development Center's (WBDC) mission is to support and accelerate business development and growth, targeting women and serving all diverse business owners, in order to strengthen their participation in, and impact on, the economy. WBDC's headquarters is located in Chicago, with satellite offices in Aurora, IL, Richton Park, IL, and St. Louis, MO.

Veteran Business Assistance Services (VBAS) are offered by the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC). WBDC is committed to the success of veteran-owned businesses and works to ensure that veterans have technical assistance and resources to achieve their business goals. The WBDC VBAS offers various levels of training and assistance for start-up, emerging, and established veteran business owners in Illinois to support and accelerate their business development and growth.