IWF has embarked on a series of community forums to hear from local economic andworkforce development experts about:
- The current workforce and/or economic development goals for their community;
- The current challenges and/or opportunities to meet those goals;
- Ideas for effective strategies that will work in a particular community; and
- How IWF can advance state policy, programs, and investments to support their local workforce and economic development goals.
Findings from these forums will be compiled into reports to be used for action planning at the local level and to educate state and local policy makers about the issues faced by communities as they work to ensure good jobs for their residents.
Four community forums have been held so far, and more events are currently being planned.
The first community forum was in Rockford on September 23, 2009. In addition to IWF, the sponsor organizations were the Illinois WorkNet Center, Rockford Area Economic Development Council, and the Rockford Jobs Council. Sixty-three participants attended the event. To view a report summarizing the findings and recommendations from the Rockford event, click here. You can also download a presentation from the meeting and view a news article about the event.
The second community forum was held in Decatur on November 19, 2009, with thirty-eight participants in attendance. Local sponsor organizations were the Decatur Area Education Coalition, Illinois WorkNet Center, Decatur Jobs Council, and the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur/Macon County. To view a report summarizing the findings and recommendations from the Decatur event, click here. Download data presented at the meeting or the news article highlighting the event.
The third forum was held in Springfield, Illinois on March 25, 2010. with nearly 70 participants in attendance. Land of Lincoln Workforce Alliance, Lincoln Land Community College, the City of Springfield, The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Heartland Continuum of Care, Springfield Community Federation, Tower of Refuge, and the Springfield Urban League. A report from this event can be downloaded here. You can view a news article promoting the event, download a presentation from the meeting, or see a news clip from the event .
On June 9th, nearly 60 community stakeholders gathered at the Prisco Community Center in Aurora to brainstorm strategies for economic and workforce development in the region. Presentations from Mayor Tom Weisner of Aurora, and Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay kicked off the event, and groups identified top challenges, strategies and opportunities which will be presented in a final report for the region.
Along with IWF, the forum was co-sponsored by the City of Aurora, the West Suburban Jobs Council, Family Focus-Aurora, Waubonsee Community College, River Valley Workforce Investment Board, Quad County Urban League Valley Industrial Association Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce, Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce, and RITAS Ministries.
For more information about these forums, contact Jennifer Becker Mouhcine.