# Illinois DBE Reevaluation: What "Ineligible" Means in the IL UCP Directory

Updated 2026-11-12. Source page: https://keepmydbe.datarabbit.com/guides/illinois-dbe-reevaluation

If your firm appears as "Ineligible" in the Illinois UCP directory, the directory's own notice explains why: the firm has not submitted the documentation required for reevaluation. It also says those firms have not been decertified and may still submit.

## What the Illinois directory notice says

- The IL UCP completed reevaluation, as of March 24, 2026, of the firms that submitted their information by January 31, 2026.
- Firms shown as "Certified" have been recertified under the current federal rule and can be counted for DBE goal credit.
- Firms shown as "Ineligible" have not submitted the required documentation. They cannot currently be counted for goal credit on USDOT-assisted projects.
- Firms that were decertified in reevaluation were removed from the directory.

On November 12, 2026 the directory listed 1,190 of its 2,830 firms as Ineligible.

## What "Ineligible" costs you

A prime contractor cannot use an Ineligible firm toward a DBE goal on a federally assisted project. The directory tells primes it is their responsibility to check. In practice that means you are not called for that work until your status changes.

## How to get reevaluated

Submit to the Illinois agency that certified you:

- A [Personal Narrative](https://keepmydbe.datarabbit.com/guides/dbe-personal-narrative) from each owner counted toward disadvantaged ownership.
- A current Personal Net Worth statement.

Under the federal final rule, a firm that has still not submitted by March 24, 2027 is disqualified automatically. See [the federal deadlines](https://keepmydbe.datarabbit.com/guides/dbe-reevaluation-deadlines).

## Official sources

- [Illinois UCP directory search](https://webapps1.dot.illinois.gov/UCP/ExternalSearch), which carries the notice
- [IDOT DBE certification page](https://idot.illinois.gov/doing-business/certifications/dbe.html)

## Primary sources

- [USDOT final rule, 91 FR 60885 (September 25, 2026)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-25/pdf/2026-19688.pdf)
- [USDOT FAQs on the DBE and ACDBE final rule (September 25, 2026)](https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2026-09/DBE_Final%20Rule_FAQs%2009-28-2026_0.pdf)
- [USDOT DBE forms, including the Personal Net Worth statement](https://www.transportation.gov/DBEFORMS)
- [USDOT DBE certification appeals](https://www.transportation.gov/dbeappeal)

General information, not legal advice. KeepMyDBE is not affiliated with USDOT or any state agency.