Legislation advanced last week aims to boost workforce development efforts in Illinois by providing a comprehensive system for assessing the success of state-funded economic development programs and resources.
Senate Bill 2907, filed by Senator Dave Syverson, creates the Illinois Job Training and Workforce Development Transparency Act. The Republican-sponsored legislation requires the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in coordination with affected state agencies, to compile a detailed report encompassing all state-funded job training and workforce development programs in Illinois.
The report would contain information regarding job training programs, including:
- The name of the state agency that appropriated this funding.
- The name of the job training program and funding source.
- The name and location of organizations receiving funding.
- Population and demographics served by the organization receiving funding.
- Outcomes of the job training programs, including:
- Number of participants enrolled.
- Demographic breakdown of participants.
- Types of training provided.
- Duration of training programs.
- Employment placement rates.
- Wage growth and advancement for program participants.
- Retention rates in the workforce.
Senate Bill 2907 was passed by the Senate on April 11 and will now be sent to the Illinois House of Representatives for consideration.