Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is organizing a series of free virtual workshops in March. These sessions are part of the Building Blocks of Success initiative aimed at Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms looking to enhance their skills, expand their businesses, and compete for state projects. Both new and existing DBEs, as well as those interested in certification, are encouraged to participate.

The workshops will cover various topics, including job costing, work-in-process, overhead rate calculation for construction and professional services, and the benefits of using accounting software. There will also be sessions specifically focused on QuickBooks tailored to different industries such as construction, professional services, suppliers, and trucking.

The workshop schedule is as follows:

- March 5: Job Costing and Work-In-Process

- March 7: Overhead Rate Calculation - Construction and Professional Services, Part 1

- March 12: The Benefits of Using Accounting Software

- March 14: QuickBooks - Part 1, 2 and 3 Q&A

- March 19: Quickbooks - Industry Specific: Construction

- March 21: Quickbooks - Industry Specific: Professional Services

- March 26: Quickbooks - Industry Specific: Suppliers

- March 28: Quickbooks - Industry Specific: Trucking

These workshops will continue through April. Information about these events can be found on Eventbrite at bit.ly/DBEworkshops. Registration in advance is necessary.

For further inquiries, IDOT's Bureau of Small Business Enterprises can be contacted at (217) 785-4611.

As part of Governor JB Pritzker's Rebuild Illinois program, IDOT is contributing to the largest capital initiative in the state's history while promoting diversity and inclusion. The DBE program managed by IDOT offers minorities, women, and eligible small businesses opportunities to engage in federally and state-funded highway, transit, and airport contracts. Additional details on becoming a certified DBE are available at www.idot.illinois.gov/dbe.