Join the 2023 College Changes Everything® (CCE) Campaign in Illinois! As college preparation and planning increases through the fall for the 2023-24 school year, be sure to check out the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and its partners' schedule of workshops of free college and financial aid planning for students and families. Read more about the College Changes Everything® Campaign.
August is Black Business Month and is a time to recognize the contributions of the 132,000+ black-owned businesses throughout Illinois. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will host a series of webinars "highlighting community leaders, organizations, and business enterprises through a campaign inviting Illinoisians to "Shop Black-owned Business Saturdays." Learn more about Black Business Month.
National Safety Month focuses on reducing leading causes of injury and death at work, on the road, and in our homes and communities. Observed annually in June, the National Safety Council provides downloadable resources highlighting different safety topics. Learn more about National Safety Month.
The month of May is Older Americans Month (OAM). This year's theme is Aging Unbound. This month recognizes older adults and their contributions around the country and encourages them to participate in activities with their communities. Learn more about Older Americans Month.
April is about Second Chances. Each year, Second Chance Month recognizes the importance of helping individuals successfully return from incarceration. Everybody deserves a second chance, especially individuals returning to the workforce and making a difference in our communities. Learn more about Second Chance Month.
March is Women's History Month. During this month we look back and celebrate the contributions that women have made not only to our history, but also our workforce. Illinois workNet is excited about the strides women have made. While there is more work and progress to be made, it is important to recognize the contributions and influence women have had in different industries in the past and present. Learn more about Women's History Month.
Every February is Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month®. Career and Technical Education (CTE) provides students with opportunities to gain the necessary academic knowledge and technical skills necessary to succeed in high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand careers. CTE has a commitment to equity and equitable learning opportunities for its students. Learn more about CTE Month.
January marks National Mentoring Month across the United States! The annual campaign is aimed at expanding quality mentoring opportunities to connect more of our community's youth with caring adults. Mentors make an impact by providing young people with the tools to make responsible choices, attend and engage in school, and reduce or avoid risky behavior. Learn more.
Observed annually, December 3rd is the International Day of People with Disabilities. This day is an opportunity to recognize and advocate for the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities. It is important to be aware of this as there are people with disabilities in all walks of life, from politics to the workplace and in our culture. Learn more.
November 14th – 20th is National Apprenticeship Week (NAW). Take advantage of NAW to learn more about apprenticeships, and if they might be a good fit for you or your company. This weeklong nationwide celebration brings together business leaders, career seekers, labor, educational institutions, and other critical partners to demonstrate their support for apprenticeships. Learn more about NAW.
October is College Changes Everything® (CCE) Month in Illinois! As college preparation and planning increases in October and through the fall for the 2023-24 school year, be sure to check out the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and its partners' schedule of workshops of free college and financial aid planning for students and families through Thanksgiving. Learn more about College Changes Everything Month.
September is Workforce Development Month! Since 2005, the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) seeks to "raise awareness about the importance of our industry to a growing economy." As workforce development professionals are crucial in their communities, it is important to recognize the work they do. Learn more about Workforce Development Month.
August is Black Business Month and is a time to recognize the contributions of the 132,000+ black-owned businesses throughout Illinois. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will host a series of webinars "highlighting community leaders, organizations, and business enterprises through a campaign inviting Illinoisians to "Shop Black-owned Business Saturdays." Learn more about Black Business Month.
National Safety Month focuses on reducing leading causes of injury and death at work, on the road, and in our homes and communities. Observed annually in June, the National Safety Council provides downloadable resources highlighting different safety topics. Learn more about National Safety Month.
The month of May is Older Americans Month (OAM). This year's theme is Age My Way. This month recognizes older adults and their contributions around the country and encourages them to participate in activities with their communities. Learn more about Older Americans Month.
As National Second Chance Month begins, remember to keep in mind that everybody deserves a second chance, especially individuals who are re-entering the workforce and coming back to make a difference in our communities. Learn more about Second Chance Month.
March is Women's History Month. During this month we look back and celebrate the contributions that women have made not only to our history, but also our workforce. Illinois workNet is excited about the strides women have made. While there is more work and progress to be made, it is important to recognize the contributions and influence women have had in different industries in the past and present. Learn more about Women's History Month.
On February 24, Illinois workNet will provide an overview and demonstration for workforce partners on Success Stories and Embeddable Widgets tools. During this webinar, the workNet team will show partners how to submit success stories for customers, employers, and service providers. Learn tips, best practices, and gain a better understanding of how success stories are utilized. Additionally, we will cover how widgets can be customized and used on partner websites. Learn more and register today.
Every February is Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month®. Career and Technical Education (CTE) provides students with opportunities to gain the necessary academic knowledge and technical skills necessary to succeed in high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand careers. CTE has a commitment to equity and equitable learning opportunities for its students. Learn more about CTE Month.
January marks National Mentoring Month across the United States! The annual campaign is aimed at expanding quality mentoring opportunities to connect more of our community's youth with caring adults. Mentors make an impact by providing young people with the tools to make responsible choices, attend and engage in school, and reduce or avoid risky behavior. Learn more about Mentoring Month.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Employment and Training is collaborating with the Illinois Department of Human Services to get the word out on their expansion of the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). As parents return to the labor force, they not only need childcare for when they work but often as they look for work. Unemployed parents who meet the CCAP eligibility requirements and seek to reenter the workforce can receive three months of free child care coverage. Additionally, income-eligible working families can also receive financial assistance for child care costs. This program adds an additional resource to the customers served in the Illinois workNet American Job Centers (AJCs).
November 15th-19th is National Apprenticeship Week (NAW). Take advantage of NAW to learn more about apprenticeships, and if they might be a good fit for you or your company. This weeklong nationwide celebration brings together business leaders, career seekers, labor, educational institutions, and other critical partners to demonstrate their support for apprenticeships. Find events, proclamations, and more on the Apprenticeship Illinois National Apprenticeship Week page.
Every October is Manufacturing Month. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is celebrating present and future manufacturers in the state. Illinois is the “fourth largest manufacturing state in the country, with over 18,000 companies employing over 550,000 Illinoisans. DCEO will be hosting upcoming webinars showcasing manufacturing’s bright future in Illinois. Learn more about Manufacturing Month.
National Safety Month focuses on reducing leading causes of injury and death at work, on the road, and in our homes and communities. Observed annually in June, the National Safety Council provides downloadable resources highlighting different safety topics each week. Learn more about these topics and resources available on Illinois workNet so you can stay safe on and off the job.
Illinois workNet will be holding an upcoming webinars for Job Seekers and Employers that will demonstrate the New Virtual Job Fair (VJF) tools available on Illinois workNet. This is a new opportunity for Employers to easily advertise their organization and connect with qualified job applicants at no cost. Job Seekers can learn about and apply for job openings as well as communicate with representatives from employers that are hiring in Illinois for free.
Employers will be able to setup virtual job booths where interested job seekers can learn more about their organization and available job openings. Employers may also request webinar assistance when hosting their Virtual Job Fair events.
Employers may register here.
Job Seekers may register here.
A new page was created for our Workforce Partners to provide guidance regarding WIOA Implementation during COVID-19. The resources listed on this page are to help address questions and concerns of Workforce Professionals to best assist individuals and businesses and to adapt daily operations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This page will be updated regularly as new information is made available. If you have questions please submit them via the FAQ link.
Individuals and Employees
As a result of the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), several Illinois businesses have closed or adapted their business hours and processes. If you are looking for immediate job openings in the metro Chicago area please visit this link. Unemployment benefits may be available to individuals whose unemployment is attributable to COVID-19. The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) recently adopted emergency rules to try to make the unemployment insurance system as responsive to the current situation as possible. Visit the IDES website on COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits for more information. To submit a Unemployment Insurance claim online click here. On 3/26 IDES announced that it was taking steps to address the unprecedented volume of unemployment claims. More information on how IDES has improved the unemployment benefit claims process can be found in this News Release . If you are from an Illinois business that just went through a layoff you can use the Illinois workNet Company Specific Search to find you company specific layoff page to connect you to services and resources available to individuals affected by that layoff. For additional information and resources for Individuals Affected by COVID-19 check out this article.
Businesses and Employers
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, your business may be impacted for various reason and you may be left in the unfortunate position of laying off staff members. In the event of a layoff, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Local Workforce Innovation Areas Rapid Response Team offers valuable resources that may be beneficial to any affected workers. For more information on submitting a WARN Notice or creating a Company Specific Layoff page as well as other information surrounding your company and COVID-19 check out this article.
March 10, 2020 - SBDC Day recognizes the success and effect of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) for small businesses and economic development. Approximately 1,000 SBDCs in the country will share their success stories through social media, public relations initiatives, and several events in-person and online. Read more about how you can participate for SBDC Day 2020.
March 6, 2020 - As the coronavirus continues to spread, it is important to know the facts such as the symptoms, how it transmits to others, and how to prevent acquiring or spreading the virus. While the immediate risk of acquiring the virus remains low for individuals in Illinois, it is important to take the necessary steps in how to appropriately respond. Read our news item and article for more information.
March 4, 2020 - March is Women’s History Month. During this month we look back and celebrate the contributions that women have made not only to our history, but also our workforce. Illinois workNet is excited about the strides women have made. While there is more work and progress to be made, it is important to recognize the contributions and influence women have had in different industries in the past and present. Learn more about Women’s History Month.
February 25, 2020 - Illinois workNet will be holding a webinar about the Funding Opportunities page on the WIOA website on March 11th, 2020. This page contains all the information you need to know about grants and every stage of the grant process in Illinois. Learn more about how to register for this webinar.
February 24, 2020 - Illinois workNet will be presenting at the upcoming Career Connections Conference. Due to the need for additional CTE programs, this Career and Technical Education (CTE) conference will focus on the following goals: improvement of instruction, better alignment to core academics, enhanced connections to career and postsecondary opportunities. Learn more about the conference including how to register.
This year the IDEAcon Conference takes place February 24th – 27th. This educational technology conference brings together educators throughout the Midwest to showcase and discuss resources and teaching methods related to instructional technology. From PreK to Higher Education, attend this conference and see how you can include the latest in instructional technology into your classroom. For more information about the IDEAcon Conference, visit their website.
Are you an educator looking for an opportunity to exchange ideas and promote advancement with other professionals in your field? Look no further than the Illinois Adult and Continuing Educators' Association (IACEA) conference held on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Learn more including how to register.
The "Why I Apprentice" national JFF contest is calling upon today's youth to share with the world why being an Apprentice has changed their life. Are you an Apprentice with a story to tell? Learn more about how you can share your story.
Every February is Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month®. Career Technical Education (CTE) provides students with opportunities to gain the necessary academic knowledge and technical skills necessary to succeed in high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand careers. care, and much more. Learn how to celebrate CTE Month.
The 2020 State of Illinois WIOA Unified State Plan is now available for Public Comment on Illinois workNet. Public Comments on the Unified State Plan may be sent to CWD-wioaplan@ad.siu.edu. Comments will be accepted until February 9th, 2020. Additional information about the WIOA Unified State Plan may be accessed on the following Illinois workNet page: https://beta.illinoisworknet.com/WIOA/Resources/Pages/StateUnifiedPlan.aspx
January 6, 2020 - Every January is Mentoring Month. This month aims to expand quality mentoring opportunities to connect more of our community’s youth with caring adults. By finding and growing mentoring opportunities, our communities can improve and shape our future. From finding a mentor to becoming one, take the initiative to find the mentoring opportunity for you today.
November 27, 2019 - Observed annually, December 3rd is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This day is an opportunity to recognize and advocate for the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities. It is important to be aware of this as there are people with disabilities in all walks of life from politics to the workplace and in our culture. Learn more on how you can be an ally.
November 26, 2019 - This Saturday, November 30th, is Small Business Saturday across the United States. This day is dedicated to celebrating and supporting small businesses and all they contribute to our communities. Learn more about this day and how you can participate by clicking here.
November 15, 2019 - This coming week is National American Education Week (11/18 – 11/22). This week acknowledges all of the hard work that goes into the public-school system from teachers and parents to educational support professionals. Learn how to raise awareness for this week by clicking here for more information.
Integrating local workforce services for job-seeker and employer customers is a priority for the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board (IWIB). Because Illinois has many departments and programs involved in service delivery, integrating these many resources is essential for customers to have a positive experience. "This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) provides the requirements for submitting proposals that focus on integrating services for job seekers and improving employer access to the skilled workforce they need through the systemwide adoption of best practices in service integration and WIOA regional & local planning.
For more information about this funding opportunity, visit the NOFO page.
November 8, 2019 - National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), November 11 - 17, 2019, is almost here! Take advantage of NAW to learn more about apprenticeships, and if they might be a good fit for you or your company. For more information about this week, click here.
November 7, 2019 - In honor of Veterans Day (11/11/19), the State of Illinois would like to thank all who have served in the United States Armed Forces. We appreciate your sacrifice to help protect us at home and abroad. Illinois, through the collaboration of networked partnerships, has many resources available to former and current Military Services Members (Active, Guard, and Reserve) as well as Military Spouses.
November 4, 2019 - The Illinois workNet team has made an update to its account system to keep your Illinois workNet account more secure. The next time you log into Illinois workNet, you will be prompted to verify or update your account's personal information and provide a secret question and answer, if you have not already done so. Read more about the account update.
November 4, 2019 - Starting a business is a lot of work, but you're not in it alone. This month is Entrepreneurship Month, and there are many resources available that can help walk you through the steps it takes to get your business started. For more information about these resources and how they can help you and your business, click here.
Join the Customer Support Center Career Plan Builder webinar on November 7th. Register for the Webinar Today.
Partners will:
- Learn about Career Plan Builder features.
- See a Career Plan from the customer’s perspective.
- Learn how to use the plan as a communication tool.
This free online tool is available to all partners through the Customer Support Center (CSC).
The CSC offers Illinois workNet partner staff a suite of free tools including:
- Assessments
- Career Plans
- Communication tools
- Reports
These tools are used to help customers reach their training and employment goals.
Learn more about Customer Support Center tools and Register Today.
October 16, 2019 - The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) would like to announce the release of a new notice of funding opportunity (NOFO). This 2019 Apprenticeship Expansion Program NOFO seeks to increase the number of registered apprentices by 800 before June 2022. For more information about this funding opportunity, click here.
Join the first webinar in a series covering the Illinois workNet Customer Support Center Online Partner Tools. Register for the Webinar Today.
The Customer Support Center (CSC) offers Illinois workNet partner staff a suite of free tools including:
- Assessments
- Career Plans
- Communication tools
- Reports
These tools are used to help their customers reach their training and employment goals.
Learn more about Customer Support Center tools and Register Today.
October 7, 2019 - October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM). This month raises awareness about the importance of keeping private information that is online safe. To learn more about what Illinois workNet has to offer and more about this month, visit this page.
October 4, 2019 - The month of October is Disability Employment Awareness Month. This month focuses on the contributions of workers with disabilities and helps educate organizations on the value and impact of a diverse workforce. For more information about this month and what resources Illinois workNet has, click here.
October 1, 2019 - Every October is Manufacturing Month. Manufacturing Month brings together hundreds of manufacturers across America to host students, educators, parents, job seekers and other local community members at open houses and other public events designed to showcase manufacturing technology and careers. As this month gets started, be sure you have the resources to reach your manufacturing career, training, and employment goals. Check out Illinois workNet’s resources today. Click here for more information.
September 23, 2019 - This week is Employ Older Workers Week! Older workers are an important force that contribute to our workplaces and communities with their wisdom and experiences. For more information and resources, click here.
September 22 – 28 is Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. The goal of this week is to raise awareness about the importance of adult education and family literacy. Learn more about this week and how you can participate for this week by click here.
September 9, 2019 - The Chicago Public Library and Illinois workNet have worked together to create a new course, Getting a Job Using Illinois workNet, that introduces and explores the Illinois workNet site for job seekers. The purpose of this user-friendly course is to help individuals who are unemployed or underemployed. For more information about how to access the course, click here.
September 4, 2019 - September is Workforce Development Professionals Month! The National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) seeks to “raise awareness about the importance of our industry to a growing economy.” Learn how you can participate during this month by clicking here.
August 29, 2019 - The 2019 Forum for Excellence will be held at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Normal, IL on September 24 – 25. This annual gathering is an opportunity for workforce and educational professionals to highlight effective initiatives and practices when it comes to career pathways. To learn more about the conference and how Illinois workNet will be participating, click here.
Are you using Illinois workNet's Embeddable Widgets to expand the infromation on your website? Not even sure what a Widget is? Learn more about Illinois workNet's Embeddable Widgets, how they can maximize the information on your website, and how to get them added by clicking here!
The Illinois Transition Academy conference will be held on August 7th and 8th in Effingham, Illinois. This event is designed to assist colleges and partnerships working on developing Bridge and ICAPS (Integrated Career and Academic Preparation System) programs. For more information click here.
July 10, 2019 - Thursday, July 18th is the College Changes Everything Conference. Started by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), this annual conference is an opportunity for individuals to share how their college or higher education experience has made a lasting and positive impact in their lives. Click here for more information.
June 28, 2019 – On July 1st, three Illinois counties (Calhoun, Jersey, and Douglas) will have their associated LWIAs re-designated as part of the Illinois Local Workforce Area Realignment Project. The Illinois workNet team has updated its services and tools to reflect these changes. Click here for more information.
June 4, 2019 - Illinois workNet has recently pushed out updates to Success Stories that make creating and submitting a success story a breeze. Illinois workNet will be hosting a webinar on Thursday, June 13 for workforce and education partners to review the updates and how to create and submit a success story through www.illinoisworknet.com/success.
For more information about this webinar Click Here.
June 3, 2019 - The month of June is National Safety Month. This month focuses on reducing the leading causes of injury and death at work, on the road, and in our homes and communities. For more information about this month and how you can stay safe, please click here.
May 9, 2019 - The month of May is Older Americans Month (OAM). This year’s theme is Connect, Create, Contribute. This month recognizes older adults and their contributions around the country and encourages them to participate in activities within their communities. For more information about this month, please click here.
May 6 – May 10 is National Construction Safety Week. This week acknowledges the importance of workplace safety and how best to avoid injuries on the job. For more information about how to stay safe and what you can do, click here.
May 5th – May 11th is National Small Business Week. This week is a time to recognize how much small businesses benefit our lives and communities. For more information on how to participate and contribute during Small Business Week, click here.
April 16, 2019 - The Illinois WIOA Summit capitalizes on the momentum of WIOA implementation activities, regional professional development workshops, and is designed to provide training and networking opportunities for WIOA partners. This Summit will provide high level guidance on implementing service integration and innovative practices related to policy. For more information about the Summit, visit this page.
April 15, 2019 - Updates have recently been pushed out to the Incumbent Worker Training System (IWTS)! Updates were made to the Project Sector page and the Project Search. For more information on the IWTS updates be sure to check out the IWTS Updates page.
April 15, 2019 - The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced the release of the updated Notice of Funding Opportunity under the WIOA Statewide workforce Innovation Program. For more information click here...
April 8, 2019 - National Financial Literacy Month (FLM) occurs every April. It was created to help and encourage people across the U.S. develop good financial habits. For more information on how you can help customers and promote FLM in your area, click here for more information.
March 26, 2019 - During April and May, apprenticeship workshops will be held in different cities throughout Illinois. These workshops are designed to inform service providers and community organizations about the basics of apprenticeship models, how they can help support diverse apprenticeships, and what opportunities are currently available in Illinois. For more information on registering, click here.
March 13, 2019 - SBDC Day recognizes the success and effect of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) for small businesses and economic development. Approximately 1,000 SBDCs in the country will share their success stories through social media, public relations initiatives, and several events in-person and online. This year’s SBDC Day will be on Wednesday, March 20, 2019. Click here for more information.
January 8, 2019 – Every January is Mentoring Month. This month aims to expand quality mentoring opportunities to connect more of our community’s young people with caring adults. By finding and growing mentoring opportunities, our communities can improve and shape our future. From finding a mentor to becoming one, take the initiative to find the mentoring opportunity for you today. Click here for more information.
Bunker Labs and WeWork are accepting applications for the next cohort of WeWork Veterans in Residence Powered by Bunker Labs, starting March 1st!
About the Program: WeWork Veterans in Residence powered by Bunker Labs, in its second national tribe and third overall, is now in 15 cities across the U.S. Veterans and military family members should apply to their nearest participating city.
Application Process: Applications are now open until January 3, 2019. Our next national tribe will launch in March 2019. The application takes just a few minutes to fill out and can be accessed here: https://bunkerlabs.org/veterans-in-residence/.
If you have any questions about the program, please feel free to contact We work here: yuki.lin@wework.com
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) will host a series of regional meetings to present information and gather input on how to strengthen career-connected learning for all students in Illinois. Feedback from business, community, and educational leaders will inform ISBE’s five-year plan for career and technical education (CTE) in the state.
ISBE and ICCB are requesting feedback to improve CTE program development and evaluation so all students graduate with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes to thrive in their chosen path after high school.
For more information such as how stakeholders can submit feedback and when and where these events will take place, click here.
With so many opportunities on the horizon in Illinois—from forging better connections between programs in career pathways and employers to building out apprenticeships and other work-based learning models—Illinois agencies, advocates, and providers need to work with the same understanding of the terms surrounding workforce and education. For that reason, Illinois approved a statewide definition of Career Pathways this year. Through efforts by 14 statewide partners, this definition was a launching pad for developing a larger group of education and workforce development definitions, all included in the New Career Pathways Dictionary. For more information click here...
September 6, 2018 - Thank you to everyone that could join us for the Updates and NEW Features – Illinois workNet Site-Specific URL Webinar on August 24th. Our Illinois workNet Service Finder Partners can now generate site-specific Illinois workNet URLs that will be used to compile Illinois workNet usage data in the Unique URL Report. If you were not able to join us, we have provided a re-cap of the webinar below and the archived webinar to watch. For more information click here...
August 1, 2018 - The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announce the release of the updated Notice of Funding Opportunity under the Apprenticeship Expansion Program. For more information click here...
July 6, 2018 - The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announce the release of the updated Notice of Funding Opportunity under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program. For more information click here...
3/15/2018 Today the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board finalized and approved the 2018 Unified State Plan Modification. The plan may be viewed here. Learn more...
3/15/2018 The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in conjunction with the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board (IWIB) has released grant opportunities to improve the economic growth and competitiveness of the state’s employers and their workforce. The Department of Commerce announces new workshops to discuss the funding opportunities including Illinois’ Career Pathways definitions and Apprenticeship Plus framework. Learn more...
October 2, 2017 - Each year, Illinois celebrates the contributions the manufacturing industry has brought to our state by recognizing October as Manufacturing Month. You can help your customers find events statewide, tools to explore manufacturing careers, and more on the Illinois workNet website. Learn more...
9/11/2017 - The Chicago Community Trust released a request for proposals for a $3 million solar training pipeline program funded by Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd). An info session for interested Southern Illinois organizations in Carbondale is scheduled for Thursday, September 14, 2017. Learn more... An info session for interested Northern Illinois organizations in Rockford is scheduled for Friday, September 15, 2017. Learn more...
8/10/2017 - On August 1, The Chicago Community Trust released a request for proposals for a $3 million solar training pipeline program funded by Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd). This is a statewide funding opportunity with applications due by September 30, 2017. Learn more...
February 6, 2017 - The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announces the release of a competitive grant opportunity to support the Governor’s Cabinet on Children and Youth Apprenticeship Plus initiative in Illinois. This funding opportunity is limited to youth apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships for youth between the ages of 16-24 within three regions of the state. Learn more...
January 31, 2017 - The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in conjunction with the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board (IWIB) Apprenticeship Committee, has released a grant opportunity to expand existing Registered Apprenticeship programs and create new Registered Apprenticeship programs or create and expand pre-apprenticeship programs that are directly linked to a Registered Apprenticeship program. Learn more...
November 18, 2016 - The Illinois Workforce Innovation Board Youth Committee announces the release of the 2017 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth Career Pathways Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). With an emphasis on the needs of young people who are not in school and not working, coined Opportunity Youth, this funding opportunity is intended to support effective career pathway practices distilled by the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board’s Youth Task Force. Learn more...
4/1/16 - The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in partnership with the Core WIOA Partners Illinois Community College Board, Illinois Department of Employment Security, and Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Rehabilitation Services, announces the release of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth Career Pathways RFA. Learn more...
3/30/16 - The final version of the Unified State Plan for Illinois has been submitted to the United States Departments of Labor and Education. You can download the entire plan, including attachments and program specific appendices, on WIOA Works. Learn more...
3/17/16 - The Department of Commerce, Office of Employment and Training is requesting public comment on the draft WIOA Policy Letter for Eligible Training Providers and Training Programs. Learn more...
12/17/2015 - Access program information and guides that are designed for Illinois workNet workforce partners. This information does not require a login, so feel free to share with colleagues and other partners.
Some programs and tools require partners to be given permission before they can access these tools. You can see these tools by logging into your Illinois workNet account. In the near future, you will be able to access them by selecting the My Dashboard link in the header.
12/9/2015 - The State of Illinois has released the newest RFA for the Illinois Talent Pipeline Management program. The RFA, Application, and all related materials have been posted to Illinois workNet. Learn more...
9/15/2015 - Check out the new Submit Resources page for Partners to see how you can contribute online resources or local resources to show up on the Illinois workNet website. Learn more...
7/29/2015 - The Illinois Talent Pipeline Management guide page is for grantees to access archived webinars, materials, FAQs, and more. Get Started...
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7/20/2015 - The Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) partner guide provides outreach materials and instructions for using DEI partner tools to help customers reach their career, training, and employment goals. Learn more...
7/15/2015 - Illinois workNet has resources and tools that you can use daily with your customers and patrons to help them reach their career, employment and training goals. In addition, download materials that you can use for training with your staff to show them how they can use Illinois workNet with customers and patrons. Learn more...
6/05/2015 -Illinois workNet has released the youth guide to assist youth with learning how to prepare for a job, applying for a job, being smart with money, and planning for the future. Review and share the online guide or the downloadable PDF version with your customers! Get started...
5/11/2015 - You can access your guides and tools through the Partner Programs page or My Dashboard (Partner Tools).