One of the most important benefits of FWC membership is the organization’s strong advocacy.  Staying engaged with our community partners and public officials provides FWC a strong voice in the actions and policies that impact our members’ businesses.  FWC’s Executive Director and members of its Board of Directors currently serve, or have served, on numerous important boards, commissions, committees, advisory groups, and task forces to ensure our voices are heard and issues specific to our members are addressed.  Among them:

• IDOT Industry Policy Committee
• IDOT Pre-Qualification Barriers Committee
• IDOT/Tollway Disparity Study Oversight Committee
• IL Tollway Strategic Planning Advisory Committee
• IL Tollway Diversity Action Council
• Capital Development Board Advisory Group
• State of IL Business Enterprise Council (BEP)
• BEP Certification Committee / BEP Certification Appeals
• Blue Ribbon Committee on O’Hare Express Rail Service
• Mayor’s Task Force on Supplier Diversity (City of Chicago)
• Government Procurement and Compliance Forum
• City, County and State Assist Agency
• IL Comptroller’s Women’s Advisory Council
• IL Treasurer’s Women’s Advisory Council
• IL Treasurer’s Jobs Council
• The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership-Service Delivery Committee
• “Reopening Chicago” - B2B Working Team (Manufacturing, Transportation, Construction and Utilities)

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY – FWC members are well represented on legislative initiatives on all levels of government by local, state and national lobbyists. 

Regarded as a strong voice on business issues, FWC works diligently with local, state and national elected officials to initiate and/or pass legislation favorable to its members.  In the past few years alone, FWC has successfully helped create and pass 10 significant pieces of state legislation that have created greater opportunities for our members.