HR1160 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1160 LRB094 20218 LJB 58084 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, African American-owned technology firms have traditionally had few opportunities from the State of Illinois even though African Americans make up more than 14% of the population of the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Tens of millions of dollars in State of Illinois computer contracts have gone to technology firms that are not even based in the United States, let alone in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Chicago and Illinois boast some of the nation's award-winning and largest African American-owned technology firms; and

WHEREAS, In order to promote diversity and help employ future business leaders and empower the African American communities, the State should hire African American and minority-owned vendors for technology contracts; and

WHEREAS, Minority-owned firms are frequently forced to be subcontractors to non-minority technology companies because of the perception that they do not have the ability to execute substantial contracts on their own; and

WHEREAS, These issues are made even more urgent by the growing offshoring of technology work, as well as vendor rationalization in general; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the House Computer Technology Committee hold hearings on the lack of diversity in State technology business; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Committee issue a report by October 31, 2006 on the amount of State of Illinois business with African American-owned technology firms and on ways the State can improve its record with these companies; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge Governor Blagojevich to immediately begin using more African American-owned technology firms for State businesses; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Governor and to the Director of Central Management Services.