The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has unveiled an additional $13 million investment in the state’s Job Training and Economic Development Program (JTED). This initiative aims to provide workforce training and wrap-around services to help support equitable workforce recovery for Illinois residents facing challenges in securing meaningful employment.

In the second round of the program, JTED will target the economic impacts experienced by underemployed, unemployed, or underrepresented individuals, which include at-risk youth with barriers to employment. Priority populations encompass immigrants and refugees, justice-involved individuals, and rural residents.

JTED funding continues to concentrate on sectors hit hardest by continual labor shortages, such as labor manufacturing, agriculture, information technology, transportation, distribution and logistics, architecture and construction, healthcare, and hospitality and tourism.

Eligible applicants include employers, private nonprofits, federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act administrative entities, Community Action Agencies, industry associations, and educational institutions. Eligible entities can apply for grants ranging from $250,000 to $750,000. The application window is open until January 10 at 5:00 p.m. You can review the NOFO and apply for the grant at DCEO’s website.

To assist applicants, DCEO will also be hosting a webinar on December 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Interested parties are encouraged to reach out to CEO.GrantHelp@illinois.gov for assistance.