State Policy Priorities
 

The Illinois Works for the Future campaign was launched to advance public policies that will help Illinois build a strong workforce to grow our economy and advance into the 21st Century.

Immediate steps towards this goal include:

  • Implement the 21st Century Workforce Development Fund Act which would enable expansion of current, effective strategies and new state-funded workforce development initiatives.
    • Set aside state economic development funding, including a portion of capital expenditures, and explore federal and private funding streams as revenue sources.
    • Appoint the advisory committee to oversee the strategic use of resources.
  • Integrate economic development and workforce development by connecting job training and workforce preparation activities to economic development and job creation strategies.
    • Expand economic development tools to include incentives for businesses to train and/or hire low-income, low-skilled job seekers.
    • Support sectoral employment strategies that involve industry and workforce stakeholders as partners.
  • Fund effective state workforce development programs including:
    • The Job Training and Economic Development program (JTED), the Employment Opportunities Grant Program (EOGP), and the Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP), which prepare unskilled and incumbent workers for industry-specific job openings that help Illinois’ businesses remain competitive.
    • Transitional Jobs and other subsidized employment strategies which have proven effective in moving hard-to-place job seekers to work by offering job preparation services as well as a subsidized and supported job placement component.
    • Bridge programs, such as those piloted in the Shifting Gears initiative, which promise to smooth the way for adult learners with limited literacy skills to gain vocational skills that lead to good jobs.  Provide adequate resources for Bridge program components, including for comprehensive support services to ensure student success.
  • Develop and implement strategies to advance the priority stated in HR 50 that 2 years of post-secondary education or training be available to all citizens in this State.