IHCC - Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program

The Illinois Tollway Department of Diversity and Strategic Development is a driving force for increasing economic opportunities in the diverse communities we serve.

The goal of IHCC's Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program is to prepare established transportation-related construction firms including disadvantaged minority-and women-owned business enterprise (D/M/WBE) firms, service disabled, veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB) and veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB) as well as small businesses to participate as prime contractors on highway and vertical construction contracts. 

Value Statement: 

The program provides contractors with a robust and focused approach to grow their businesses, starting by viewing their businesses as an investor. This shift provides business owners a new perspective for making business decisions directly tied to their growth.

This is a cohort based program which provides individual companies approximately 30+ hours of strategic one-on-one coaching and a series of group conferences to maximize collaboration and peer feedback. 

Program Eligibility Requirements: 

  • Three years in business

  • Minimum of $250,000 in annual revenue

How to Apply: 

  1. Submit a complete Technical Assistance Program application to your preferred provider. Click below to access the application and submit the completed form to lbran@ihccbusiness.net

  2. An assessment will be conducted by the provider to determine applicant's needs and review program guidelines.

  3. A technical assistance plan will be developed to assist participants with business needs.

  4. Applications who do not meet program criteria will be referred to other resources.

Assistance includes group training in the form of a cohort on the following topics:

  • One-on-one coaching

  • One-on-one meetings with primes

  • Post-bid debriefing

  • Post-contract assistance

  • Relationship building

  • Risk management

  • Safety plans

  • Strategic planning and partnership development

  • Access to capital

  • Bonding

  • Business management

  • Business operations

  • Certification

  • Financial management

  • Financing

  • IDOT pre-qualification application assistance

2018 Program Dates: 

Program Alum Jose Aguilar, founder of Conin Inc. reflects on his experience .

  • Kick-Off Information Session
    Wednesday, October 3, 2018 | 2:00pm - 4:00pm
    UIC Student Center East

  • Group Conference #1
    Thursday, November 18, 2018 | 9:00am - 5:00pm
    UIC Student Center East

  • Group Conference #2
    December 13, 2018 | 9:00am - 5:00pm
    UIC Student Center East

  • Pitch Event & Prime Matchmaking
    TBD March 2019
    IHCC Offices, Merchandise Mart

For more information, contact: 

Kelley Francis
Program Director
312.425.9500

Program Staff 

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Kelley Francis
Kelley Francis

Kelley Francis serves as the Executive Director of the IHCC - Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program. Kelley has more than 5 years experience working with companies seeking to increase their capacity and secure contracts with agencies like the Illinois Tollway.