Illinois Tollway Diversity Chief Named Among 2023 Notable Leaders in DEI by Crains Chicago Business
Illinois Tollway Diversity Chief Named Among 2023 Notable Leaders in DEI by Crain’s Chicago Business
2023-10-02
Diversity means it takes all kinds to succeed.
But it takes a one-of-a-kind leader to ensure that inclusion is the foundation of everything the Illinois Tollway does to achieve that success.
That leader is Terry Miller, who was recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as one its notable leaders in diversity, equity and inclusion.
As chief of the Tollway Department of Diversity and Strategic Development, Terry is responsible for overseeing a staff administering impactful diversity programs and initiatives that are achieving greater inclusion and access to economic opportunity for small, diverse and veteran-owned firms in construction, professional engineering services and the supply of goods and services.
The Tollway’s Move Illinois capital program is being delivered in a way that fosters inclusion of diverse firms and individuals and reflects the rich diversity of the communities served by the Tollway. In 2022, the Tollway spent more than $262 million for work performed by small and diverse firms – the second highest total in the past five years.
“The Tollway Board and I are committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture where our employees and the businesses we work with are well-positioned to make valuable contributions to the success of the agency,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Terry Miller consistently carries out this vision by growing and improving our diversity outreach to create greater opportunities for all firms and individuals from historically underrepresented groups.”
Terry led his team to expand the Illinois Tollway Small Business Initiative through which select construction contracts, generally with values of $5 million or less, are identified exclusively for small businesses to perform as prime contractors and subcontractors.
As a result of this effort, today, more than 200 firms are registered in this initiative, of which about 70 percent are disadvantaged or veteran-owned businesses and the Tollway has awarded more than $80 million in small business contracts since 2021. In addition, small business contracts include general liability coverage for on-site activities through an innovative Rolling Owner-Controlled Insurance Program, removing a critical barrier to participation for small businesses.
Terry has devoted his career to addressing complex diversity, regulatory and commercial contracting matters. He currently serves as an adjunct law school faculty member for his alma mater, DePaul University Law School, where he lectures on diversity certified supplier engagement, minority professional services contracting and serves as officer and director of engagement initiatives. Terry also volunteers with the Wills for Heroes Foundation, providing legal documents free of charge to first responders, including wills, living wills and powers of attorney, and the Political Asylum and Immigrants’ Rights Pro Bono Project, which provides legal services to immigrants and refugees fleeing persecution abroad.