Women's Business Ownership Council
Board and Commission Details
Contact Name
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Function
The Council shall conduct hearings, as necessary, and issue an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly regarding the status of women business owners within the State. In that regard, the Council shall review the following: (1) The status of women-owned businesses statewide, including progress made and barriers that remain, in order to assist these businesses to enter the mainstream of the Illinois economy. (2) The role of State and local government in assisting and promoting aid to, and the promotion of, women-owned businesses. (3) Data collected by private and public sector entities relating to women-owned businesses. (4) Any other government initiatives that may exist relating to women-owned businesses, including but not limited to those relating to State and local procurement. (b) The Council shall recommend to the Governor and the General Assembly, on an annual basis, all of the following: (1) New private sector initiatives that would provid management and technical assistance to women-owned businesses. (2) Ways to promote greater access to public and private sector financing and procurement opportunities for these businesses.(3) Detailed multi-year plans of action, with specific goals and timetables, for both public and private sector actions needed to overcome discriminatory barriers to full participation in the economic mainstream. (c) The Council may hold hearings, take testimony, and request information from State agencies.
Term
Of the initial appointments, members shall be randomly assigned to staggered terms; 3 members shall be appointed for a term of 3 years, 3 members shall be appointed for a term of 2 years, and 3 members shall be appointed for a term of one year. Upon the expiration of each member's term, a successor shall be appointed for a term of 3 years.
Senate Confirmation
No
Qualifications
Appointed members shall be uniquely qualified by education, professional knowledge, or experience to serve on the Council and shall reflect the ethnic, cultural, and geographic diversity of the State. Of the 9 members, at least 5 shall be women business owners. As used in this Act, "woman business owner" means a woman who is either: (1) the principal of a company or business concern, at least 51% of which is owned, operated, and controlled by women; or (2) a senior officer or director of a company or business concern who also has either: (A) material responsibility for the daily operations and management of the overall company or business concern; or (B) material responsibility for the policy making of the company or business concern.
Compensation
Expenses
Composition
The Council shall consist of 9 members, with 5 persons appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity or his or her designee, one person appointed by the President of the Senate, one person appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, one person appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and one person appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives
Chair
Designated by the Governor
Authority
20 ILCS 5060/5
Member Names
| Name | Member Expiration | Member Since | Affiliation | Appointed By | Position | Title | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White, Ericka A. | 01/13/2026 | 01/13/2023 | Governor | Member | Director of DCEO or their designee | ||
| Lopatkina, Alla | 01/31/2026 | 01/31/2023 | Governor | Member | Cook | ||
| Racho, Maria Odiamar | 06/30/2026 | 01/31/2023 | Governor | Member | |||
| Cadengo, Sully | 05/05/2025 | 05/05/2023 | Governor | Member | |||
| Sweiss, Rima | 09/01/2025 | 09/01/2023 | Governor | Member | Cook | ||
| VACANT | President of the Senate | Member | |||||
| VACANT | Minority Leader of the Senate | Member | |||||
| Ness, Rep. Suzanne | 12/03/2021 | Speaker of the House | Member | ||||
| VACANT | Minority Leader of the House of Representatives | Member |