In FY 2012 the workforce development community continues to face a crisis of public investment. Significant cuts are looming in the federal and state budgets. This is particularly alarming because many areas throughout the state rely heavily or exclusively on public funds for the provision of workforce development services. Though the economy is in recovery, there is a skills mismatch between individuals seeking employment and the jobs available. Many workers continue to struggle to find jobs. Additionally, more and more jobs require advanced skills or additional education, putting our most disadvantaged workers even farther behind.

In response, Illinois must determine how to respond to federal budget cuts to workforce development programs while also addressing its own budget crisis. Illinois desperately needs to sustain and increase workforce development resources to meet the needs of individuals who need assistance finding and retaining employment.  These critical services form the backbone of our workforce development system, making the continued allocation of resources the top priority for CJC’s advocacy work. Though inadequate funding presents a significant challenge, there are also many opportunities in the coming year. For example: there are new administrations at the City and County levels with whom CJC can work, the Chicago region has included a workforce development provision in a major economic development effort, and the recent passage of a subsidized employment bill signals the General Assembly’s interest in innovative workforce strategies.

In order to address the challenges and leverage the opportunities, CJC will work to achieve the following five policy goals in FY 2012.

1) Public resources are directed to strategies that provide the most disadvantaged job seekers (including: ex-offenders, out of school youth, CHA residents, and minorities) with training, education and supportive services. CJC will work towards this outcome by prioritizing the following:

• The City of Chicago allocates the same amount or more funding to workforce development than it did in FY 2011 and the programs funded will focus on meeting the needs of disadvantaged job seekers.
• The City of Chicago allocates the same amount or more funding to workforce development programs for ex-offenders.
• The state of Illinois allocates the same amount or more funding to workforce development than it did in FY 2011 and the programs funded will focus on meeting the needs of disadvantaged job seekers.
• State level commissions publicly support workforce development resources for the most disadvantaged job seekers.
• The 21^st Century Workforce Fund advisory committee is appointed and the committee seeks funding sources for at least one program.
• State level “budgeting for outcomes” and “performance based funding” reflects the unique outcomes of the most disadvantaged job seekers.
• The Illinois congressional delegation defends workforce development and other human services funding from drastic cuts.

2) Workforce development components are integrated into economic development strategies. CJC will work towards this outcome by prioritizing the following:

• The Chicagoland Green Collar Jobs Initiative produces a tool to help service providers and job-seekers understand the regional credentialing framework selected high demand industries.
• New public leaders in the region (including Chicago Mayor, Cook County Board President) will continue to prioritize workforce development within their environmental sustainability activities.
• The workforce intermediary supported by Energy Impact Illinois successfully links construction training programs for disadvantaged job seekers with employment in the construction industry.
• The urban weatherization initiative program regulations ensure adequate workforce training components and access to the most disadvantaged populations.
• The green TIME Zone Plan has at least one funded workforce development program for local residents.
• One new economic development initiative includes workforce development components.
• 21^st Century Workforce Fund Advisory Committee and any other state entities have a public policy position on workforce development as an economic development strategy.

3) Local service delivery systems are aligned and coordinated to maximize efficiency and best serve the needs of disadvantaged job seekers. CJC will work towards this outcome by prioritizing the following:

• The new Chicago administration continues to prioritize providing workforce development services to disadvantaged job seekers.
• Cook County Works’ changes to WIA service delivery and other program implementation reflect CJC’s input and expertise.
• Any “merger” between city and county workforce development services includes an affiliate system and leverages non-WIA funding for special initiatives that target disadvantaged populations.
• In response to fiscal challenges, CBOs and training providers form partnerships to maintain and/or expand services.
• CMAP’s workforce development data portal provides new tools that are used by workforce development providers.

4) Integrated workforce training and adult education strategies expand to focus on the most disadvantaged job seekers (including: ex-offenders, out of school youth, CHA residents, and minorities). CJC will work towards this outcome by prioritizing the following:

• CWIC’s implementation of the Literacy-to-Work initiative incents and supports integration of literacy programs with organizations that provide workforce development services.
• CWIC’s Back-to-College initiative includes strategies for students with less than one year of college credit.
• ABE providers in Chicago understand the workforce development system and how they can use it.
• Statewide effort to accelerate creation of bridge programs is launched.
• Community colleges in the region have formal, written plans for working with CBOs (CCC, Southland colleges, Green Force Initiative).
• The state’s new “learning exchanges” include bridge programs and other on-ramps for low-skilled adults.
• Maintain state level policy priorities for bridge programs.
• Increased number of legislative champions for integrated workforce and education strategies, including bridge programs.

5) Transitional jobs (TJ) programs for disadvantaged job seekers (including: ex-offenders, welfare recipients, out of school youth, CHA residents, minorities and homeless individuals) are expanded and improved. CJC will work towards this outcome by prioritizing the following:

• A framework/strategy to advance a statewide transitional jobs policy and/program that has broad stakeholder support.
• The implementation of the Aurora Homelessness Initiative’s transitional jobs program includes literacy services.
• TJ programs that target priority populations(including CHA residents, ex-offenders, and TANF recipients) in Chicago and across the state will be continued and expanded.