Program Eligibility

Section 10 Section 10.40  Program Eligibility a)         Businesses owned and controlled by individuals in the following eligible groups may submit applications for certification: 1)         African American – a person having origins in any of the black racial groups in Africa. 2)         Hispanic – a person of Spanish or Portuguese culture with origins in Mexico, South or Central American or the Caribbean (regardless of race). 3)         American Indian or Alaskan Native – a person having origins in any of the original people of North America. 4)         Asian American – a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent or the Pacific Islands. 5)         Female – a person who is a citizen or lawful, permanent resident of the United States, and who is of the female gender. 6)         Person with a disability. b)         MBE, FBE and PBE refer to for-profit enterprises regardless of form of organization (sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation).  However, not-for-profit entities that meet the definition of a sheltered workshop for the disabled in accordance with Section 45-35 of the Illinois Procurement Code [30 ILCS 500] will also be classified as PBE.