Public Contracts - Overview

In 2021, IDHR launched a new online registration/renewal system for all vendors. If your business or company has an existing IDHR Number, DO NOT create a New Account in ELP. Your account has been established in the new system with your recent history; check your registered email for set-up instructions. To find out more about your online account verification, activation, and status, read more in the ELP User Guide found here.

The objective of the Public Contracts Unit (PCU) is to enforce provisions of the Illinois Human Rights Act and the Department's Administrative Rules that apply to public contractors and eligible bidders and require them to refrain from unlawful discrimination, undertake affirmative action in employment, and develop a written sexual harassment policy.

PCU's traditional mission has been carried out through a series of activities:

• Registration of potential state bidders and the maintenance of eligibility status records.
• Compliance reviews of public contractors and eligible bidders to determine adherence to pertinent provisions of the Act and the Rules.
• Technical assistance regarding equal employment opportunity and affirmative action provided to public contractors, eligible bidders, contracting agencies, and units of the Department.
• Oversight of the EEO/AA monitoring programs for public contractors and eligible bidders operated by other units of state government under the authority of the Act and the Rules.

All entities that wish to do business with any agency, board, or commission of the State of Illinois must register for an IDHR Eligibility Number (aka, Eligible Bidder / Public Contractor Number) through the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) by registering with the IDHR Public Contracts Unit.

The new online application process requires payment of a $75 non-refundable registration fee, in addition to a $5 administrative fee and a credit card processing fee of $1.80. The IDHR Eligibility Number expires five (5) years after the date of issue and may be renewed online with the same applicable renewal fees. The online registration process allows businesses to make registration payment using the following credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover.

If your business wishes to register multiple locations that all have the same FEIN as the corporate office, you must register them through the PC-1 application for each Illinois location to be eligible to bid on business with the State of Illinois. The fee is required for registration of additional business locations (associated with the same FEIN) is $6 per location (a $5 administrative fee plus a $1 credit card processing fee). Click here for help with which form you may need to register or renew your business.

All entities seeking to do business with the State of Illinois (potential bidders) must file if any one of the following applies:

• The business entity employs 15 or more persons at the time of application for a public contract;
• The business entity has employed 15 or more persons at any time during the 365-day period prior to the date of your applying for a public contract;
• The business entity is directed to file by a contracting agency of the State of Illinois, any political subdivision, or a municipal corporation.

No entity will be issued an IDHR number without a declaration of an existing Model Employer Sexual Harassment Policy.

The IDHR portal to the State of Illinois Enterprise Licensing and Permitting (ELP) system makes your registration or renewal of a business or business location easier, faster, and more accessible.

This portal was opened to all vendors on March 15, 2021. If your business or company has an existing IDHR Number, DO NOT create a New Account in ELP. Your account has been established in the new system with your recent history; check your registered email for set-up instructions.

Businesses/Vendors who wish to register for the first time and those who wish to renew a valid IDHR Employer Eligibility Number for a primary business or headquarters (PC1) may do so through the new online Enterprise Licensing and Permitting portal (ELP) for IDHR with a valid credit card. If your company has multiple locations with the same FEIN as the corporate headquarters, those locations must also be registered individually through the ELP using a PC1-A registration.

NOTE: An IDHR Eligibility Number and access to its associated online IDHR Certificate are not granted until an application/registration has been received, reviewed, and approved (with the online processing of the non-refundable registration and processing fees).

Applicants are notified by email of the approval or other outcome of a registration submission generally within five (5) business days; if approved, the newly registered/renewed business or location will be able to immediately access its online IDHR Eligibility Number Certificate through your ELP log-in.

If a business entity/vendor is unable to utilize the online Illinois Enterprise Licensing and Permitting portal (ELP) for IDHR and/or wishes to register with application by mail, application forms may be requested by email or phone. NOTE that mailed applications will require more time for receipt, review, and processing. If you do not have the means of accessing the faster online portal, contact IDHR.PublicContracts@illinois.gov to request emailed or mailed forms, or phone (312) 814-2431 with your request.

Public Contracts Unit
Illinois Department of Human Rights
555 West Monroe Street
7th Floor
Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 814-2431 (telephone)
(312) 814-1436 (facsimile)
IDHR.publiccontracts@illinois.gov