A Refresher On Cooperative Purchasing

Cooperative purchasing continues to remain a hot topic throughout the state. Governmental units across Illinois regularly use “cooperatives” to purchase equipment, supplies, and services, and for other procurements. So, what exactly is cooperative purchasing, and how does it work? How can a governmental unit best leverage cooperative purchasing to meet its needs while complying with legal requirements? Lastly, can a governmental unit use a cooperative to purchase labor and materials for construction, without going through a competitive bid process? Read on, the answers may surprise you.