Section 1300.520  License Selection Criteria

a)         The license selection criteria for the Transporter License shall include the following, with each criterion accounting for up to the indicated maximum number of the total points available for each criteria, for a total of 1000 points:

1)         Business Plan (150 points):

A)        Measure 1 (50 points):  The applicant demonstrates that the proposed vehicles are suitable for the effective and safe transportation of cannabis containers.

B)        Measure 2 (50 points):  The applicant demonstrates the ability to meet consumer demand for transporting services in an effective and efficient manner.

C)        Measure 3 (50 points): The applicant describes a business plan that will provide and ensure adequate staffing and experience, including employment plan that will lead to the hiring of minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities, and will engage in fair labor practices, and provide worker protections.

2)         Suitability of Employee Training Plan (160 points):

A)        Measure 1 (80 points): The applicant adequately describes a staffing plan that will ensure a staffing meets the experience and security of needs of operating a transporting organization.

B)        Measure 2 (80 points): The applicant describes a training plan for employees including an employee handbook that will provide employees with a working guide for the day-to-day administration of personnel policies and practices; and training for security, recordkeeping, diversion prevention, and best practices to prevent sale of cannabis to minors.

3)         Security and Recordkeeping Plan (180 points):

A)        Measure 1 (90 points):  The applicant's security plan demonstrates its ability to prevent the theft or diversion of cannabis and how the plan will assist with ISP, Department, and local law enforcement.

B)        Measure 2 (90 points):  The applicant demonstrates that its plan for record keeping, tracking and monitoring inventory, quality control and security, and other policies and procedures will discourage unlawful activity.

4)         Applicant's Status as a Social Equity Applicant (200 points).

5)         Labor and Employment Practices (20 points):  Provide a safe, healthy and economically beneficial working environment for its employees, including, but not limited to, its plans regarding workplace safety and environmental standards, codes of conduct, healthcare benefits, educational benefits, retirement benefits, living wage standards, and entering a labor peace agreement with employees.

A)        Measure 1 (10 points):  The applicant's facilitation and commitment to a unionized workforce.

B)        Measure 2 (10 points):  The applicant's establishment of a minimum rate of pay that is 20% greater than the State's minimum wage.

6)         Environmental Plan (20 points):

A)        Measure 1 (10 points):  The applicant's use of hybrid or electric (zero-emission) vehicles.

B)        Measure 2 (10 points):  The applicant's plan to minimize its carbon footprint, environmental impact, and resource needs for the transporter, including its plan to recycle cannabis product packaging.

7)         Illinois Resident (90 points):  Applicant is 51% or more owned and controlled by an individual or individuals who have been an Illinois resident for the past 5 years as provided by tax records and other documentary evidence as permitted by the Act. 

8)         Veteran Owned Business (90 points):  Applicant is 51% or more owned and controlled by an individual or individuals who meet the qualifications of a veteran as defined by Section 45-57 of the Illinois Procurement Code.

9)         Diversity Plan (90 points):  Applicant submits a diversity plan that includes a narrative of not more than 2,500 words that establishes a goal of diversity in ownership, management, employment, and contracting to ensure that diverse participants and groups are afforded equality of opportunity.

b)         Applicants that score at least 75% of available points and meet all other requirements of a Transporter License, shall be issued a license within 60 days after the Department receives the application.

c)         Applicants that were registered as medical cannabis cultivation centers prior to January 1, 2020, and who meet all other requirements for a Transporter License, shall be issued a license by the Department within 60 days after the Department receives the application. [410 ILCS 705/40-15]