DHS Sole Source FY25 Colbert Consent Decree Court Monitor

The State of Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) is conducting a sole source procurement for court monitoring services related to the Colbert v. Pritzker Consent Decree. The selected vendor, Kathryn DuPree of Crosswinds Consulting LLC, will serve as the independent Court Monitor responsible for reviewing and evaluating the state's compliance with the Consent Decree, identifying areas of non-compliance, mediating disputes, and submitting periodic reports to the Court. The initial contract term is from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, with the potential for renewals. The estimated value of the initial contract term is $279,000. This procurement is being conducted as a sole source because Ms. DuPree was appointed as the Court Monitor by the federal judge overseeing the Consent Decree, and no other vendor can be selected by the state to provide these services. The price was determined by the court order, with Ms. DuPree being paid an hourly rate of $300 per hour.

This sole source procurement is necessary to avoid further litigation costs and the potential for a federal monitor to be appointed if the state is found non-compliant with the Consent Decree. There are no set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond, as this is a sole source contract awarded to the Court Monitor appointed by the federal judge. There is no incumbent vendor, as Ms. DuPree is the first Court Monitor appointed for this Consent Decree.