Gov. Pritzker Announces $11.4 Million To Expand Workforce Training And Career Opportunities Across Illinois
Latest round of funding will help Illinoisans overcome barriers to employment and connect with in-demand careers.
CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $11.4 million in funding for 23 organizations across Illinois as part of the Job Training and Economic Development Program (JTED) to expand workforce training, career pathways, and support services for Illinoisans facing barriers to employment. Through the Job Training and Economic Development Program (JTED), the funding will help connect workers with the skills and resources they need to enter in-demand careers while helping employers build the skilled workforce they need to grow.
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“In Illinois, we’re building an economy where growth and opportunity go hand in hand,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “That means making sure every Illinoisan no matter their background has a pathway to a good-paying career. Through JTED, we’re investing in the training and support people need to build a better future for themselves and their families while strengthening the workforce that keeps Illinois moving forward.”
“Across industries, we’re seeing businesses grow and thrive in Illinois. The goal of this program is to make sure everyone benefits from our continued prosperity,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. "Our administration's investments in job training and workforce development, especially for youth and other vulnerable populations, has proven to be a direct investment in Illinois' economic future."
In the third round of the program, JTED will address the economic impacts experienced by employers and individuals who are underemployed, unemployed, or underrepresented, including youth who have one or more barriers to employment, which are identified as risk factors. Priority populations include immigrants and refugees, justice-involved individuals, rural residents, and youth who experience one or more barriers to employment.
Round 3 includes a dedicated youth category for eligible in-school and out-of-school youth ages 16–24. Youth programs will combine academic, employability, and technical skills with employer engagement, career preparation, supportive services, and barrier reduction assistance to help young people gain in-demand skills and credentials and connect to employment or continued education.
Grantee | Region | Funding Amount |
Artists ReEnvisioning Tomorrow Inc | North Central | $502,860 |
Aspiritech, NFP | Northeast | $446,921 |
Bella Ease | West Central | $555,000 |
Calumet Area Industrial Commission | Northeast | $554,614 |
Comprehensive Community Solutions | Northern Stateline | $584,257 |
County of Johnson | Southern | $504,306 |
Greater Englewood Chamber | Northeast | $305,850 |
Illinois Manufacturers' Association | Central | $218,700 |
Jane Addams Resource Corporation | Northeast | $285,199 |
National Able Network, Inc. | Northeast | $555,000 |
OAI, Inc | Northeast | $595,281 |
Article continues after sponsor message One On One | Northeast | $599,558 |
Regional Office of Education 47 | Northwest | $600,000 |
Reset to Success Foundation | Southwestern | $555,000 |
Richard J. Daley College | Northeast | $555,000 |
Soulcial Kitchen LLC | Southwestern | $406,498 |
Southwestern Illinois College | Southwestern | $486,858 |
The City of Rockford | Northern Stateline | $518,000 |
Township High School District 214 | Northeast | $381,851 |
University of Illinois | East Central | $434,248 |
William Rainey Harper College | Northeast | $554,999 |
World Relief Chicagoland | Northeast | $600,000 |
YWCA Northwestern Illinois | Northern Stateline | $600,000 |
“The $11.4 million in grant funding awarded to community-based organizations through this latest round of the JTED program will help Illinoisans around the state,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “With assistance provided through training and other wrap-around services, underemployed, unemployed, and underrepresented Illinoisans will have the critical support they need to help them find meaningful employment.”
The State’s JTED model boosts access to education, training and support services needed for vulnerable residents to successfully re-enter the labor force. Additionally, JTED offers flexible funding through barrier reduction services for individuals that have emergency costs for basic needs.
“The workforce training and wrap-around services provided through the JTED program are critical to building a skilled workforce and expanding access to career pathways across Illinois,” said Senator Christopher Belt (E. St. Louis). “The State of Illinois is committed to helping people overcome barriers to employment while connecting employers with the skilled workers they need.”
“With 100 grants awarded to organizations since the inception of the JTED program, the State of Illinois continues to provide much-needed assistance to communities,” said Leader Robyn Gabel (Evanston). “Barriers to employment should not be a dead end for Illinoisans, and this program is opening the doors to opportunity while boosting employment.
Through the first three rounds of the JTED program, the State of Illinois has invested more than $46 million across 100 grants awarded to community-based organizations, supporting more than 6,300 unemployed, underemployed, and underrepresented Illinoisans. Additionally, JTED provided support to 11,800 high school youth to train for careers in advanced manufacturing.
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