Agencies
Services
DBE
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program is a federally mandated initiative that provides minorities, women, and other eligible small businesses opportunities to participate in federally and state-funded transportation contracts. To support DBE participation, IDOT sets an annual overall goal that remains in place for three years per applicable federal agency.
To ensure compliance, IDOT’s EEO Contract Compliance Officers oversee DBE goal credit, labor compliance, and EEO reviews. Additionally, the DBE Supportive Services Program provides free management and technical assistance to certified and prospective DBEs. For more details, visit the DBE Certification, DBE Compliance, and DBE Supportive Services pages.
2025 Interim Final Rule (IFR) from the U.S. DOT
- Further U.S. DOT guidance on the IFR can be found at: October 3, 2025 DOCR letter on the IFR
- Official frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the IFR can be found at: DBE IFR FAQ's
Bureau of Small Business Enterprises
On August 10, 2026, the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Office of Business & Workforce Diversity will be hosting a virtual meeting with industry stakeholders and DBEs to discuss IDOT’s revised Overall DBE Goal-Setting Methodology that will be submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The revised Overall DBE Goal-Setting Methodology for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) was published and submitted in June 2026, and the Methodology for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will be published and considered later this summer.
The revised Goal-Setting Methodology will be submitted in accordance with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Interim Final Rule that was issued on October 3, 2025. The Methodology is included here for your consideration.
FAA DBE Goal Methodology for Distribution – FINAL
The revised FAA Methodology for federal fiscal years 2026-2028 calls for an Overall DBE goal of 14.8 percent. IDOT expects to meet 11.5% of this goal through DBE-conscious means and 3.3% through DBE-neutral means. Public comments pertaining to this goal recommendation are welcome and can be e-mailed to DOT.DBEPublicComment@illinois.gov no later than close of business on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
The virtual meeting will be held via Webex on Monday, August 10, 2026, from 9:00am-10:00am Central Daylight Time. To join this meeting, the link is:
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/j.php?MTID=m3d3f741a054b4f78a6518e463dee5115
From a mobile device, the number and access code for the August 10 meeting are:
(312) 535-8110, code # 2632 193 4790
For further information, please contact the Bureau of Small Business Enterprises at dot.sbe@illinois.gov.
Goal Documents & Studies
In 2009, IDOT commissioned a Disparity Study focused on construction, architecture and engineering. The Disparity Study reviewed contract data during the period of January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2008. In 2012 IDOT commissioned an updated availability study.
In 2016, IDOT commissioned a disparity study focused on construction, architecture, and engineering. The study reviewed contract data during the period of October 1, 2012, through September 30, 2016. This study was completed in 2017 and published for release in February 2018. The 2017 IDOT Disparity Study is available below.