Regulatory & Program

Illinois Shines Opens Registration for 2026-27 Fall Mentorship Cohort

Illinois Shines · Aug 18

What happened

Illinois Shines opened mentee and mentor registration for the 2026-27 Mentorship Program Fall Cohort on August 17, 2026. The registration window closes on August 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CPT. The program targets Approved Vendors and Designees certified as Equity Eligible Contractors, designated as Small and Emerging Businesses, or identified as diverse-owned businesses.

Why it matters

The program provides structured support for emerging and equity-focused entities navigating Illinois Shines project delivery and administrative processes. Established developers and Approved Vendors acting as mentors can strengthen regional sub-contractor networks to fulfill state equity requirements.

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