Harris supports economic development in Phoenix, Illinois

• Economic Development

SPRINGFIELD – The City of Phoenix would see an extension on the sunset of their tax increment financing district from 2019 to 2031 under a proposal led by Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Harvey).

“Phoenix still needs time to recover from the economic hardships that hit the area,” Harris said. “From the loss of industry to the recession, there’s a long road ahead for rebuilding the city, and this measure assists with that process.”

TIF districts are important for cities and towns going through economic trouble. They help attract private investment and bring new businesses to help with economic expansion.

The TIF was created in 1996 and is set to expire at the end of 2019.

House Bill 2931 was approved by the Senate Revenue Committee on Tuesday, and is scheduled to be heard by the full Senate.

May Town Hall Meeting

• events

Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) is hosting a town hall meeting on Monday, May 13 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Beggars Pizza located at 369 E. 147th St. Harvey. Attendees will be provided with an update on what has been happening in Springfield and the 15th District.

Contact Harris' district office for more information at (708) 893-0552.

Harris wants more minority-owned contractors hired by larger municipalities

• minority business

SPRINGFIELD – To push for greater fairness and diversity in contract work, Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) proposed new legislation setting goals for larger municipalities to include minority-owned businesses.

“There are minority-owned businesses across the state looking for opportunities to contract with the state,” Harris said. “We need our larger municipalities to help include those businesses by being more intentional about contracting minority businesses.”

The legislation would set goals for cities which receive more than $1 million in state motor fuel taxes to hire more minority-owned and -operated businesses when awarding contracts. The measure is an effort to include more minority-, veteran- and woman-owned businesses in local government contracting.

Forty-six municipalities and 21 counties received more than $1 million in fiscal year 2017.

Senate Bill 177 requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to assist municipalities in implementing business enterprise programs.

The outlined municipalities would have to set a goal of awarding no less than 20 percent of the total dollar amount of state contracts to businesses owned by minorities, women and persons with disabilities. All contractors would need to satisfy all existent qualifications.

The measure was approved by the Senate on Thursday.

Harris leads effort to increase state contracts with minority-owned businesses

• minority business

SPRINGFIELD – To increase the amount of state contracts awarded to businesses owned by minorities, women and persons with disabilities, Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) led a measure that was approved by the Senate on Thursday.

Senate Bill 2035 requires the Department of Central Management Services to increase the number of state contracts issued to businesses owned by minorities, women and persons with disabilities from 20 percent of the total dollar amount of state contracts to 30 percent.

“We need to be bold about our commitment to businesses owned by minorities, women and persons with disabilities,” Harris said. “One of the best things about our state is its diversity, and this proposal celebrates that by pushing for the investment of state dollars in businesses throughout all communities.”

The proposal would set goals at 16 percent to minority-owned businesses, 10 percent to women-owned businesses and 4 percent to businesses owned by persons with disabilities.

Furthermore, CMS is required to increase outreach efforts to businesses owned by minorities, women and persons with disabilities.

The measure heads to the House for consideration.