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PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
SMALL BUSINESS COMMISSION FOR COOK COUNTY
BE IT ORDAINED, by the Cook County Board of Commissioners that Chapter 2 Administration, Article III, County Board, Division sections 2-531 through 2-533 of the Cook County Code, is hereby enacted as Follows:
Sec. 2-531. Short Title.
This Division shall be known and may be cited as the “Cook County Commission on Small Business and Supplier Diversity.
Sec. 2-532. Policy and Purpose.
(a) There is hereby created a Commission to help create sustainable small business initiatives that promote business opportunities, financial growth and further development and expansion of small and minority businesses and businesses that are owned by people with disabilities.
(b) Explore issues and barriers that prevent small businesses, women owned businesses, businesses owned by people with disabilities and minority owned businesses from being successful.
(c) Meet and exceed procurement existing procurement goals. Research and promote best practices that facilitate meeting contracting and subcontracting goals.
(d) Review compliance code and compliance of Cook County Agencies.
(e) Review and recommend best practices to reduce access to capital challenges faced by minority, women owned businesses and businesses owned by people with disabilities.
(f) Review and make recommendations on how Cook County Hospital System and other County agencies can increase the participation of minority, women owned businesses and businesses owned by people with disabilities.
Sec. 2-533. Cook County Commission on Small Business.
(a) The Commission will have eleven (11) members including: two (2) Commissioners who were the original co-sponsors of the ordinance who shall serve as Chair and Co-Chair of the Commission. Four (4) of the Commission members shall be selected by the Chair and Co-Chair and must be certified MBE or WBE business. owners certified by Cook County.Five (5) members of the Commission shall be appointed by the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and may include but not be limited to: representatives of Cook County Agencies, civic leaders, majority contractors or private sector representatives who have established excellent diversity practices. All shall be confirmed by the Cook County Board.
(b) Non-elected Board Members will serve for two (2) years and can be reappointed for consecutive terms. Commissioners who are appointed shall serve (4) year terms that coincides with election cycles of commissioners.
(c) The Commission has the authority to review and make recommendations on approval or reversal of certification appeals.
(d) The Commission will advise the Presidents office and Board of Commissioners not less than quarterly on its recommendations.
(e) The Commission shall have Four (4) Committees 1. Compliance Monitoring, 2. Certification Advisory Team 3. Outreach/Mentoring and Training 4. Capital Access/Banking
All meetings of the Commission will be open to the public
Effective date: This ordinance shall be in effect immediately upon adoption.
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