21st Century Workforce Development Fund Act PASSED
House Bill 852 went into law in August. While no funding has been provided for the fund, the Illinois Works for the Future campaign will build on the broad based legislative support and advocate for new resources in the upcoming months.
Click here for a link to the full legislation or contact Jennifer Becker Mouhcine (jmouhcine@cjc.net) for a bill summary.
Governor Signs Supplemental Appropriations Bill, Restores JTED and EOGP!
On February 4th, Governor Pat Quinn signed Senate Bill 1132 and thereby restoring funds passed in the FY 09 budget to their pre-veto levels. This was a major victory for low-skill, low-wage workers in Illinois who desire to move up in their careers and lift themselves and their families out of poverty.
These programs are administered by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity at the state level. While we appreciate the struggles that the state is having right now keeping it’s commitments to service providers through out the state, we know that these programs will pay for themselves in increased wages, decreased social services, and increased taxes that the state will receive.
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EOGP and JTED included in Supplemental Appropriations Bill!
Through the efforts of the endorsers, supporters and friends of IWF, funding for the Employment Opportunity Grant Program and the Job Training and Economic Development program were restored to pre-veto levels in a supplemental appropriation bill passed by the General Assembly on January 14, 2009. It now has to be signed by the Governor. Thanks to all who participated with IWF in this effort!
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IWF leads effort to restore funding for JTED, EOGP and ETIP programs!
On November 20th, the Illinois House of Representatives passed HB 3889, a supplemental appropriations bill that would restore funding to the JTED, ETIP and Employment Opportunity Grant Program. This is a significant hurdle. This bill now goes to the Senate for it’s consideration on January 12th.
We have a great opportunity during this month to reach out to our State Senators who need to be educated on the importance of these critical workforce development programs. Call your State Senator today and ask them to support HB 3889 to restore workforce development funding.
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IWF works to include workforce development funding in the lottery lease bill!
On September 10th, 2008, the Illinois State House of Representatives passed a bill that would authorize the state to lease the state lottery. Included in this bill is a provision to set aside 1% of the proceeds that are designated to fund the capital bill for education, training and retention services for women, low-income individuals and people of color who have been traditionally excluded from the construction trades. The bill is now in the Illinois State Senate for consideration. Here are the particulars of the bill:
Creates the Capital Workforce Development Fund
This is a special fund in the State treasury, and will receive revenue from the proceeds of the lottery lease in the amount of 1% of the total amount of the proceeds from the lease designated for capital projects. If the lottery is leased for $10 Billion, and the GROW Illinois Fund (to fund capital infrastructure projects) receives $7 Billion (70%), that will generate $70 million dollars in the fund. The Fund will be housed in the Department of Transportation and distributed by making project assistance grants to eligible parties (state contractors and job training/support services providers.)
No less than two-thirds of the funds may be used for grants and other payments for training and non-profit support services, and no more than one-third of the funds may be used for wage subsidies and retention incentives. In order for a state construction contractor to access the funds for wage subsidies and retention, the contractor must negotiate a Community Benefits Agreement that contains a 30% employment goal (that 30% of the work hours on the project must be completed by women, minorities and individuals living in low-income communities.)
Allowable uses of the fund include, but are not limited to:
- Pre-employment services
- Pre-apprenticeship training
- Apprenticeship training
- Skills training
- Wage subsidies
- Wage stipends
- Retention incentives
Creates the Capital Workforce Development Oversight Board
This is an executive board with decision making power. The following persons will be represented on the Board:
a. The Secretary of the Department of Transportation or their designee
b. The Director of the Department of Labor or their designee
c. The Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Development or their designee
d. The Director of the Illinois Community College Board or their designee
e. A member representing a non-profit organization that has demonstrated expertise providing services to women, and preparing workers for employment in the building trades.
f. A member representing a non-profit organization that has demonstrated expertise providing services to minority groups that are underrepresented in skilled occupations in the building trades.
g. A member representing a non-profit organization that has demonstrated expertise providing services to low-income and chronically unemployed individuals
h. A representative of labor – specifically related to the building trades
i. A state contractor
j. 2 reps from congregation-based community organizations with experience with community benefits agreements – one in Chicago and one downstate.
The duties of the Board will be to approve all project assistance grants, monitor the effectiveness of the project assistance grant program, approve the community benefits agreements and certify such approval to the Secretary or relevant agency, and determine the contracting parties’ compliance with the 30% employment goal.
If you have any questions or need additional information, contact Jennifer Kottler, IWF Campaign Director.