Illinois Tollway welcomes IT entrepreneurs to pursue contracts at Tollway, other state agencies
2025-11-03
The Illinois Tollway relies on technology more than ever to deliver safe and efficient travel – which means more opportunities for information technology firms, especially companies that manage software programs.
At the same time, the Tollway is committed to broadening the pool of qualified contractors, to reflect the diverse communities we serve and level the playing field for emerging and diverse businesses.
In response, the Illinois Tollway’s fall Contracting with Government event in Naperville offered opportunities, networking and access to business resources and assistance, including access to other state agencies and successful IT firms already doing business with the state and Tollway. News release
IT firms that participated were Accenture, Cisco, CDW, Dell, DivIHN, Quarterhill, Krasan Consulting, Motorola, Presidio, Red Hat, SAP, SDI Presence and ServiceNow.
“This event provides entrepreneurs and business owners the opportunity to speak directly with staff from the Tollway and other state agencies about the steps they can take and the programs available to assist them as they seek state contracts,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse.
The Illinois Tollway regularly looks to do business with vendors that provide IT services and software across a wide variety of platforms, from desktop computing programs that power employees’ workloads to the back-end systems that manage I-PASS account information for customers.
In addition, vendors are needed for implementing new modules, or applications, for business-wide computer systems that manage data and processes for departments including customer service, finance and human resources.
The Tollway integrates technology into daily operations across the system, from automated toll collection and traffic cameras on the roadway to systems that manage engineering projects.
“Our IT systems form the backbone of the Tollway and support everything we do to provide the best service to our customers,” said Chief Information Officer Michael Shay. “We want to expand our pool of firms that can offer us the IT goods and services that we need.”
The Contracting with Government events are part of the Tollway’s strategy to help small vendors contract directly with the Tollway or partner with larger vendors as a subcontractors.
Individual workshops at the events focused on practical information for businesses. For instance, the Illinois Chief Procurement Office for General Services offered expertise in a session on how to navigate the state of Illinois’ BidBuy system. In addition, the Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion presented on how to become certified as a small, or veteran-owned firm to do business with the state and the Tollway.
IT business owners also had the chance to ask questions during one-on-one “Quick Connect” sessions with firms already doing business with state agencies, to share expertise and important information.