Legislation advanced this 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.