SSMMA is seeking a finance director to support the strategic goals of the organization. Reporting to SSMMA’s executive director, the selected candidate will serve as the chief finance officer for the organization and must possess the ability to effectively lead and coordinate the financial activities of SSMMA and have experience working with multi-disciplinary teams. This is a tremendous opportunity for a finance professional to maximize and strengthen the internal capacity of a well-respected organization.

Interested candidates should e-mail cover letter, resume and salary expectations to Melissa Doud at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Position open until filled. SSMMA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Learn more here.

The Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) will be providing an opportunity for traditionally underrepresented minority-owned businesses in the IT/Telecom industry to become vendors for the state.
The department will issue a Project/Resource Sheltered Market (PRSM) solicitation in the coming weeks. The PRSM program offers business owners who are minoritiesty, women and or persons with disabilities owned businesses in the IT/Telecom industry the opportunity to bid on State projects, with the goal of increasing supplier diversity in Illinois. Businesses interested in responding to the solicitation must be Business Enterprise Program (BEP) certified in order to participate.

Minority IT/Telecom suppliers wanting to work with the State of Illinois through PRSM, who are not currently BEP certified, should contact CMS’ BEP office at 312-814-4190 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to obtain information on certification.

DoIT anticipates PRSM will be published in the coming weeks. DoIT is encouraging vendors who intend to submit offers for the upcoming solicitation to register now in the Illinois Procurement Gateway (https://ipg.vendorreg.com/) and the Illinois Procurement Bulletin (BidBuy) (https://www.bidbuy.illinois.gov/bso/login.sdo). To submit bids, vendors must also have a current Department of Human Rights Employer Eligibility Number. Taking these steps will help to ensure that vendors are ready and have completed some of the required paperwork in advance of the solicitation posting.

This Black History Month, one person I want to highlight is Diane Nash.

Nash was born in Chicago. She participated in a variety of civil rights campaigns as a student activist, including lunch counter protests in Nashville, Freedom Rides and organizing voting drives with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).

Her efforts remind me of the work I see in the 17th District every day, including that of students of the Thornton Fractional High School District 215 who helped me pass Senate Bill 1970. This new law gives students two hours to vote during the school day.

I want to thank Diane Nash and anyone who has ever fought for equal voting rights.

Join us for the Black History Celebration on Thursday, Feb. 20, 5-9 p.m. at South Shore Cultural Center. It will be a fun-filled night, including comedy and a fashion show.

I hope to see you there!