State Use Program - DHR - SHDH + HSH Helplines Single Acct

The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) awarded a State Use Program contract to The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired for call center and contact/referral center services. The contract, issued under Bid Number 27-442DHR-MGMTO-B-53383, became effective August 1, 2026, with an initial term ending July 31, 2027. The awarded services support two helplines administered by IDHR: the Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Helpline (SHDH) and the Help Stop Hate Helpline (HSH) of the Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes. The prime contractor will manage incoming and outgoing calls, provide contact and referral center services, and execute incident response management for both helplines.

The initial 12-month contract term is valued at $289,824, with two optional 12-month renewal periods valued at $301,417 and $313,474 respectively, for a total potential cumulative value of $904,715. The contract was authorized by the Illinois State Use Committee without competitive bidding, utilizing the State Use Program procurement process that prioritizes employment opportunities for individuals with severe disabilities. IDHR agency contact Bryant Dunbar is located at 555 West Monroe Street, 7th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60661. No Business Enterprise Program or Veterans Business Program utilization requirements were imposed as conditions of the award.