Less Than 5%: The Harsh Truth About Black Business and State Contracts

By LaDonna Raeh

Today’s Hot Topic: Procurement — and Why We’re Still Getting Crumbs

Let’s talk about a word that can make or break entire communities: Procurement.

Sounds like a big word? It should. Because behind it are billions of dollars — yes, billions — being spent every year by state agencies using your tax dollars. These contracts are for everything from food services to healthcare, landscaping, maintenance, construction, tech, and beyond. But here’s the kicker: less than 5% of those dollars are landing in the hands of Black-owned businesses.

Let that sink in.

Larry Ivory and I peeled back the curtain on one glaring example: The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). This state agency has an annual budget hovering around $2 billion. Of that, only $1.8 million went to Black businesses.

That’s 0.09% of the total spend.

Now contrast that with this gut-punching reality: over 54% of the prison population in Illinois is Black.

We are overrepresented behind bars and underrepresented in the boardroom.

Why This Matters

It matters because economic justice is the real foundation of community change. If returning citizens come home to opportunity — jobs, contracts, businesses they can build — we decrease the chance of them going back behind bars.

But how can that happen when Black business owners aren’t even being invited to the table?

It’s not just the IDOC. From tree trimming and street repair at the city level to large-scale projects across the state, Black businesses are being cut out — even when Black people are overrepresented in the communities most impacted by those services.

Let’s Name Names

To be fair, there are African Americans in leadership within the state’s procurement process. There’s even a Black woman serving as the Agency Procurement Officer (APO) at IDOC, and we acknowledge that. But leadership doesn’t mean results if accountability isn’t enforced.

The Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) and the APO have the authority to direct contracts. The question is: why aren’t they? Why are we still here decades later having the same conversations?

As we spoke to Michael — a former legislative staffer — pointed out, we’ve had Black leaders in office for years. Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton is one. So where is the advocacy for Black business? Where is the shift in dollars? Where is the progress?

No Money. No Mission.

It’s more than a phrase — it’s a reality. If Black businesses can’t get access to state dollars, we can’t grow. If we can’t grow, we can’t hire. If we can’t hire, we can’t keep our returning citizens employed. It’s a vicious cycle.

So, what’s the solution?

1. Transparency: We need real data on how state dollars are spent.

2. Accountability: Leaders in procurement must be held responsible for the continued disparities.

3. Access: Black businesses must be equipped, certified, and invited to compete fairly.

4. Advocacy: We must show up — not just on Lobby Day, but every month — until the numbers change.

Final Word: This Is Fixable

We’re not asking for handouts. We’re asking for fair access. The money is already allocated. The budgets are already approved. The spending is already happening.

We just want our fair share.

And guess what? The Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce is on it. We’re meeting with IDOC regularly. We’re keeping this issue front and center in Black media. We’re showing up in Springfield, and we’re not leaving until change is made.

Join us. Speak up. Sign up. Show up.

Visit ILBCC.org and become a member. Because when we work together, we don’t just wake up — we rise up.

Now go ahead and save that number: 773-591-1690. Call in next Saturday at 9:00 AM on WVON and let your voice be heard. Because this is The Wake Up Show Chicago — where Black business gets its seat at the table.