Since July, Illinois Works for the Future has been taking an active and effective lead in restoring cuts to the Job Training and Economic Development program, the Employment Opportunity Grant Program, and the Employer Training Incentive Program.   Each of the budgets for these programs were slashed by 50% and are desperately in need of these funds to be restored — now!

In November, IWF and CJC led “A Day at the Capitol” in Springfield — an opportunity for the workforce development community to come together and make their voices heard.  We know that during economically challenging times that there is more not less need for job training and education, so that we can ensure that every sector that needs people has a pool of qualified and trained workers to draw from.

If you joined us for “A Day at the Capitol”, thank you.  It was a great success.  More than 65 people joined us to talk to legislators, and advocate for restoring funding to these important programs.

While the bill to restore funding passed the House on November 20, this bill still needs to pass in the Senate.  Please contact your State Senators today and ask them to support HB 3889 — a supplemental appropriation to restore workforce development funds.

If you have additional questions, please contact Jennifer Kottler, IWF Campaign Director at jkottler@cjc.net, or feel free to give her a call at 312-252-0461 or 773-960-8960.