20 ILCS 605/605-600
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 20 - EXECUTIVE BRANCH|20 ILCS 605/ - Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. (Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law)|Article 605 - Department Of Commerce And Economic Opportunity

 (was 20 ILCS 605/46.19f)Sec. 605-600. Buy Illinois Program. The Department shall have the authority to establish and administer a Buy Illinois  Program, which may include, but is not limited to, the following powers  and  duties:(1) To accept grants, loans, or appropriations from the federal  government or the State or any agency or instrumentality thereof, and to  assess fees for any services performed under the Buy Illinois Program, to  carry out the program.(2) To form a Buy Illinois Council, made up of Illinois large firms and  small firms, to provide advice and counsel in directing a  statewide program.(3) To publicize and advertise to Illinois firms and government  agencies the  importance and benefits of buying goods and services provided by vendors  located within the State.(4) To secure the cooperation of Illinois' large firms, federal, State  and local governments, non-profit agencies, international organizations,  and  others to carry out this program.(5) To match the needs for products and services by business firms and  government agencies with the capabilities of small Illinois firms that can  provide those needed goods and services.(6) To hold purchasing agent seminars, fairs, conferences and workshops  to  aid small Illinois businesses in obtaining contracts for goods and services  from larger firms and government agencies within the State.(7) To assist business firms and government agencies to analyze their  buying activities and to find ways to carry out those activities  in an  effective and economical manner, while promoting subcontract activity with  small Illinois firms.(8) To establish manual and electronic buying directories, including  stand alone computer data bases that list qualified vendors and procurement  opportunities.(9) To promote through other means the use by international agencies,  government agencies, and larger businesses of products and services  produced  by small Illinois firms.(10) To subcontract, grant funds, or otherwise participate with  qualified  private firms, existing procurement centers, or other organizations that  have  designed programs approved in accordance with procedures determined by  the Department, that are aimed at assisting small Illinois firms  in  obtaining contracts for products and services from local  government agencies and larger Illinois businesses.(11) To develop and administer guidelines for projects that provide  assistance to the Department in connection with the Buy Illinois Program.(12) To form the Illinois Food Systems Policy Council to develop policies around food access and security, improve individual health and well-being, promote economic incentives for Illinois farmers, agri-businesses, and other private enterprises, and encourage public/private partnerships around healthy food options.  Membership on the Council shall include the Director or Secretary, or his or her designee, of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Central Management Services, the State Board of Education, and the Food Nutrition and Education Program. The Council shall consult with farmers and farm associations, businesses and business associations, including agri-businesses and food processing businesses, and community based organizations, including those working on food access, security, and delivery  and on obesity prevention.  Administration of the Council and its functions shall be shared among the Council members pursuant to an interagency agreement from funds appropriated for this purpose or from existing funds within the budgets of the Council's members.  The Council may submit, in consultation and collaboration with the associations, businesses, organizations, and entities listed in this Section, an annual report to the General Assembly describing the Council's work, which may include performance indicators to measure the impact of policies and practices adopted by the Council.              (Source: P.A. 94-77, eff. 1-1-06.)