Policy Brief: 2023 ILGA Workforce Related Bills
By Jacob Sitati, Director of Policy & Advocacy
In 2023, the Illinois General Assembly introduced several bills that align with the mission of the Chicago Jobs Council [1]. These bills aim to promote equity, pathways, and the development of a robust workforce ecosystem. The bills address critical issues such as aging equity, reintegration of returning residents, job program credits, and workforce data tracking. Chicago Jobs Council convenes The IL Skills for Good Jobs Agenda, a Table that aims to increase investment in workforce development programs and support efforts to build an equity-focused workforce development ecosystem in Illinois. With the Illinois General Assembly’s Fall Veto session this week, this policy brief summarizes some of these bills, including others not on the Skills Agenda, from the perspective of the Chicago Jobs Council, aiming to present their importance and benefits.
IL-HB 1237 Aging Equity Act/IL-SB 2032 Aging Equity Act
Summary: These bills aim to establish a long-term plan for aging equity through a planning commission composed of state agency directors, elected officials, and public members. The plan aims to develop actionable goals promoting aging equity, cultural humility, and awareness of the experiences and knowledge of older adults through 2036.
Relevance: Promoting equity aligns with our vision to ensure equitable access to employment and resources for all residents. These bills are directly aligned with our mission to champion equity. By promoting aging equity, cultural humility, and awareness of older adults' experiences, we contribute to a more inclusive workforce that values all residents, regardless of age. Ensuring that older adults have access to employment opportunities supports our goal of equitable resource access.
IL-HB 1245 DPT Returning Resident Affairs
Summary: This bill seeks to facilitate reintegration for returning residents, offering services through the Department of Returning Resident Affairs and implementing the Second Chance State Program, which dismisses charges for first-time offenders.
Relevance: Supporting reintegration for returning residents is in line with our commitment to creating pathways to employment for marginalized populations. Supporting reintegration for returning residents is at the heart of our commitment to creating pathways to employment for marginalized populations. This bill directly addresses the challenges faced by individuals who have been detained or incarcerated and offers them a second chance. Removing barriers to employment aligns with our equity-focused approach
IL-HB 2300 Illinois Works Jobs Credit/IL-SB 2420 Illinois Works Jobs Credit
Summary: This bill amends the Illinois Works Job Program Act, allowing contractors who employ Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program participants to earn bid credits, promoting their selection for public works projects. It also emphasizes certified payroll documentation for apprentices.
Relevance: Encouraging participation in job programs aligns with our goal to strengthen the workforce development ecosystem. These bills are relevant to our mission of strengthening the workforce development ecosystem. Incentivizing contractors to employ Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program participants fosters workforce participation and job opportunities, contributing to a more robust workforce.
IL-HB 2839 Illinois Works Apprenticeship Credit
Summary: This bill establishes the Illinois Works Tax Credit, benefiting hazardous chemical manufacturers who employ underrepresented populations from the Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program.
Relevance: Fostering inclusive employment opportunities aligns with our mission to promote equity in workforce development. Establishing the Illinois Works Tax Credit for hazardous chemical manufacturers employing underrepresented populations aligns with our mission to promote equity in workforce development. It incentivizes inclusive hiring practices, creating opportunities for marginalized groups.
IL-HB 277 Failure to Appear - Notice
Summary: These bills would no longer allow driver’s licenses to be suspended for failure to appear in traffic court for people who receive minor traffic tickets such as speeding or not stopping at a stop sign.
Relevance: Eliminating barriers to employment and mobility is central to our equity-focused approach. Driver’s licenses are vital for employment. Ending the practice of suspending driver's licenses will ensure the employment and well-being of Illinois residents, particularly Black and LatinX people who face systemic barriers to employment and disparities in the labor market. Driver’s license suspensions lead to job loss and missed economic opportunity. This policy continues ruining family finances, devastating job prospects, and increasing criminal legal system contact. HB277 will end the practice of economic license suspensions and put our state on a path to getting more people on the road and with the ability to get back to work.
IL-HB 3299 BEP-Not-For-Profit-Workforce
Summary: This amendment to the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act includes non-profit organizations as prime and subcontractors.
Relevance: Expanding opportunities for non-profit organizations aligns with our advocacy for diverse workforce participation. Expanding opportunities for non-profit organizations as prime and subcontractors aligns with our advocacy for diverse workforce participation. It promotes inclusivity within the workforce development ecosystem, creating opportunities for various organizations.
IL-HB 3351 Illinois Solar for All - Prevail Wage
Summary: This amendment ensures that projects under the Illinois Solar for All Program adhere to the state’s Prevailing Wage Act.
Relevance: Upholding labor standards in clean energy jobs resonates with our commitment to quality employment. Upholding labor standards in clean energy jobs is essential for ensuring quality employment opportunities. This aligns with our commitment to quality employment and supports the well-being of workers in the clean energy sector.
IL-HB 3400 Illinois Works Job Program
Summary: This amendment mandates workforce data tracking to promote transparency, equity, and accountability within the Illinois Works Job Program.
Relevance: Data-driven decision-making aligns with our mission to strengthen the workforce development ecosystem. Mandating workforce data tracking within the Illinois Works Job Program promotes transparency, equity, and accountability. Data-driven decision-making aligns with our mission to strengthen the workforce development ecosystem and ensures that resources are allocated effectively.
IL-HB 3563 DOIT-AI Task Force
Summary: This bill establishes a Generative AI and Natural Language Processing Task Force to produce a report on AI-related topics.
Relevance: Staying informed about AI's impact on employment is crucial for our commitment to a strong workforce ecosystem. This bill recognizes the importance of addressing emerging technology's effects on the job market, ensuring workers are prepared for evolving industries.
IL-HB 3702 Clean Jobs Training Program
Summary: This amendment requires data collection on clean energy sector employment, focusing on equity and outcomes for returning residents.
Relevance: Data-driven policy supports our goal of creating effective and equitable clean energy training programs. Data collection on clean energy sector employment, focusing on equity and outcomes for returning residents, supports our goal of creating effective and equitable clean energy training programs. Informed policy decisions will lead to better training opportunities.
IL-HB 3744 CMS State Workforce Report
Summary: This amendment requires the Department of Central Management Services to provide workforce data to the Illinois General Assembly.
Relevance: Access to workforce data enhances our ability to advocate for workforce equity. Access to workforce data enhances our ability to advocate for workforce equity. By receiving comprehensive data on the state's workforce, we can better identify areas of improvement and advocate for policies that benefit all residents.
In conclusion, these bills offer opportunities to advance our mission of equity, pathways, and a robust workforce development ecosystem in Illinois. We encourage members of the Chicago Jobs Council to support these initiatives and engage in further advocacy to ensure their effective implementation. These bills collectively contribute to a more inclusive and equitable workforce landscape in the state.
Notes:
[1] The Chicago Jobs Council is an organization that advocates for policies aimed at reducing racial disparities and improving economic outcomes for job seekers who face systemic barriers. One of our objectives is to secure funding for workforce development systems and strategies, reduce transportation and criminal justice barriers, utilize advocacy tools to inform and educate the workforce development ecosystem, and engage and mobilize service providers, community organizations, and job seekers to amplify our shared agenda.