Chicago Jobs Council Response to the Governor’s Budget Address
By CJC Chief Executive Office Lisa M. Bly-Jones, Ed.D.
The Chicago Jobs Council commends the Governor for prioritizing workforce development in the FY25 budget address. The budget allocates more workforce development funds than the previous year, with investments across various programs and agencies. The JTED grant program, Invest in Illinois Act, and Illinois Works program, among others, reflect a commitment to addressing the needs of underemployed and unemployed individuals and those facing barriers to employment. The focus on underserved populations is evident in initiatives like the Illinois Works program, which targets underrepresented groups in construction.
Some notable highlights of the budget include:
$10 million allocation for JTED grants
$750 million for Invest in Illinois Act (including workforce development)
$50 million for the Illinois Works program
$28.6 million for the Illinois Community College Board for workforce programs
$20 million in capital funding for the Illinois Works Construction Pre-apprenticeship Program
$10.2 million increase for Career Technical Education Programs in higher education
$20 million in continued funding for the Pipeline for the Advancement of the Healthcare (PATH) workforce program
While it is encouraging to see this level of investment, we must ensure it is released and utilized on time while maintaining a sustainable funding pipeline that will keep vital programs such as JTED in place. The budget's focus areas include job training and skills development, career and technical education, early childhood education, closing the skills gap, and supporting underrepresented populations such as returning residents. The budget also proposes the creation of a Chief Workforce Officer (CWO) position to oversee and improve the state's workforce system.
The proposed creation of a Chief Workforce Officer position underscores the importance of strategic leadership in enhancing the state's workforce system. We highlight this and recommend the following characteristics the CWO should have, as recommended by stakeholders and partners in our skills agenda state coalition: legislatively appointed, knowledgeable about funding and system navigation, focused on data-driven outcomes, user-centered, committed to community, accountable to oversight, and experienced in workforce development.
Finally, the emphasis on job training, career and technical education, and early childhood education aligns with the Chicago Jobs Council's mission to promote equitable employment opportunities. As a workforce development intermediary, the Chicago Jobs Council looks forward to collaborating with the state government and other stakeholders to ensure that these investments lead to tangible outcomes, including job creation, economic growth, and reduced disparities in workforce participation. We can build a stronger, more inclusive economy for all Illinois residents.