State Senator Mattie Hunter saw her legislation opening up greater opportunity for minority women and their business enterprises pass the Senate Friday.

“Why should we deny minority women the ability to classify their business as a woman-owned and a minority-owned business if both these titles define them?” Hunter said. “I maintain that if a business is owned by someone who is a racial minority and female, how that enterprise is classified and marketed should be allowed to reflect that.” 

Senate Bill 2320 allows minority women entrepreneurs to elect to participate as both a minority-owned and woman-owned business in Central Management Services’ Business Enterprise Program.

Current Illinois law requires that minority women Business Enterprise Program applicants and participants choose to be identified as either minority or female-certified businesses.

CMS’ Business Enterprise Program serves businesses owned by minorities, women and persons with disabilities, and is committed to fostering an inclusive and competitive business environment that will help qualifying businesses increase their capacity, grow revenue and enhance credentials.

“I am more than proud my colleagues decided to approve this legislation,” Hunter said. “I’m looking forward to how we’re going to move forward with this measure in the House.”

SB 2320 passed with a vote of 48-0-0 and now moves to the Illinois House for further consideration.