This month, we would like to extend our warm wishes to celebrate Women’s History Month.

In March, we celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.

We believe that when women are empowered, communities thrive, and economies grow.

Let us take this month to acknowledge the contributions of women to our society and pledge to continue working towards a future where all women have the same rights, opportunities, and freedoms as men.



Aime'e Julian, PhD

Director, Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support

2023 WIOA SUMMIT - REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

We are ONE WORKFORCE

The WIOA Professional Development Committee representing the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois Department of Employment Securities, Illinois Community College Board and the Illinois Department of Human Services is excited to announce the 2023 WIOA Summit will take place in a hybrid format on May 11 - 12, 2023 at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria, Illinois.

Learn More and Register Here!

ROOM BLOCK CLOSING SOON! - Make your overnight reservation before April 18!!

Governor Pritzker Announces Appointments to DCEO and IDES

As Governor Pritzker begins his second term in office, the administration has announced the following personnel appointments to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES.)

Kristin A. Richards will serve as the Director of DCEO (pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate), replacing Sylvia Garcia. Most recently, Richards was the Director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security where she oversaw the provision of more than $38 billion in unemployment benefits to hard-hit families during the pandemic.

Ray Marchiori will step in as the Temporary Director of IDES. Currently serving as the Chief of Staff for IDES, he has more than 25 years of public service experience serving in executive-level roles for state, county, and federal agencies.

Click here to read the full press release.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Untapped Talent - Re-entry Workshop Series

Join us for an exciting and interactive experience as we explore "Untapped Talent". There are still four workshops remaining! Each workshop will teach you about the challenges facing those who have traveled through our justice systems, help you guide participants through the winding roads toward a career, and provide you with a wealth of resources and tools to help you and your participants find success—presented by: Jeffery Abramowitz, JD - Chief Executive Officer, The Petey Greene Program.

Workshops will be held in person and online.

Workshop #3 - Get Ready, Get Set, Get Out - Preparing students & employers for their next step

Monday, April 10 - at 10:00 am - Virtual

Learn More and Register Here

Workshop #4 - The Right Fit - Navigating career placement behind & beyond the walls (The Hiring Process)

Wednesday, May 10 at 1:00 pm - In person - East Peoria, Illinois

Learn More and Register Here

Workshop #5 - It's Not About Finding the Best & the Brightest, It's About Keeping Them - The retention secrets

Thursday, May 11 - In person - East Peoria, Illinois - WIOA Summit session

Workshop #6 - Making Change Happen - Transforming our Justice Systems to Workforce Systems

Monday, June 5 at 10:00 am - Virtual

Learn More and Register Here

Illinois Employer Convening

Tuesday, May 16 - In person. Location TBD

Registration coming soon!

An Overview of Legal Rights and Responsibilities for Autistic Students and Potential Employers

March 14, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CST. 

This session will provide educators the tools and resources to best support students with autism and community vocational partnerships. With vocational placements and potential competitive employment opportunities being an extension of the classroom, legal rights and responsibilities will be discussed to set up the students and the employers for a successful experience. As the IEP team expands to include community connections and employers, all members will benefit from having basic legal understanding of the roles and responsibilities of everyone at the table.

Learn more and register.

Anxiety and De-escalation Strategies

March 15, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CST. 

It is becoming more and more common that everyday interactions and situations lead to aggressive or escalated behavior(s) by one or multiple people involved. The purpose and goal of this webinar is to provide folks with a basic understanding of de-escalation strategies in crisis or escalated situations. There will be an additional focus on identifying, understanding and dealing with anxiety surrounding these situations. In order to successfully de-escalate situations, it is important to understand yourself and how you interpret situations and behaviors. The strategies within this webinar aim to assist you in not only understanding how to de-escalate and control crisis situations but also understanding how to control your responses in these situations.

Learn more and register.

Considerations for Working with LGBTQIA+ Participants

March 22, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CST. 

This session is intended to discuss considerations for working with LGBTQIA+ participants. It will begin with a brief recap of language typically associated with LGBTQIA+ identity as well as the importance of and strategies for creating an affirming environment. Additionally, this session will discuss different aspects of gender-related transition and the nuances that may arise when searching for and applying for work as someone who is transgender and/or non-binary.

Learn more and register.