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Pritzker issues new EO to study economic, workforce development

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Illinois

* Press release…

In another step to put state government on the side of working families, Governor JB Pritzker signed an executive order ensuring workforce development funding is directed to growing industries that will create the jobs of the future, standing with elected officials, educators and students at Southwestern Illinois Community College in St. Clair County.

“My administration is committed to building the workforce of tomorrow and ensuring hardworking Illinoisans are prepared for jobs in growing industries,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Our economy is changing, and it is critical that state resources are being used to meet the demands of the 21st century. This executive order will help ensure our workforce is prepared to fill jobs in industries with the greatest need and will help us attract new businesses to Illinois. We know there is more work to be done and I look forward to working with bipartisan members of the General Assembly to grow our economy and help working families thrive.”

Today, Governor Pritzker signed Executive Order 2019-03, which requires that:

Review of Identified Targeted Growth Industries. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall, within 90 days of the effective date of this Executive Order, deliver a report to the Governor containing a comprehensive review of industries the Department has identified for targeted growth to determine the ongoing effectiveness of investment in those industries and to identify emerging opportunities for investment in growing industries.

Review of Effective and Efficient Investment in Targeted Industries. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall, within 90 days of the effective date of this Executive Order, deliver a report to the Governor containing a comprehensive review of the return on investment for targeted industries with recommendations for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of existing investment, and best practices and lessons learned for future investment in emerging growth industries.

Report on Improved Alignment of Workforce Resources for Disenfranchised Communities. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall, within 90 days of the effective date of this Executive Order, deliver a report to the Governor containing comprehensive recommendations for improving alignment of workforce resources for communities that have been disenfranchised, including rural and urban communities.

The governor was joined by his nominee to lead DCEO Erin Guthrie, Sens. Christopher Belt and Paul Schimpf, Rep. LaToya Greenwood, St. Clair County’s Workforce Development Group Coordinator Rick Stubblefield, Southwestern Illinois College President Nick Mance and SWIC student Sonny Wilson.

“The state of Illinois is obligated to ensure that our next generation is ready to start a career and that our current workforce is trained to meet the needs of our growing economy,” said Erin Guthrie, the governor’s nominee to lead the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. “Today, Gov. Pritzker is taking an important first step in asking DCEO to identify and review growth industries in our state, ensure workforce development dollars are spent efficiently and effectively, and realign workforce resources for communities that have been disenfranchised, including rural and urban communities.”

“The state of Illinois has not been fully identifying and embracing innovative strategies to focus workforce development dollars on emerging growth industries, and it’s time to change that,” said Sen. Christopher Belt (D-57th). “Gov. Pritzker and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will direct resources into growth industries like health care, information technology, and green technology to maximize job creation across the state and help us build a stronger economic foundation.”

“I would like to thank Governor Pritzker for coming to Southern Illinois to make this announcement,” said Sen. Paul Schimpf (R-58th). “I’m hopeful that this executive order will help steer badly-needed workforce development and job training dollars to our region.”

“Right now, the state is lagging behind when it comes to fostering economic growth and creating economic opportunity in communities across the entire state,” said Rep. LaToya Greenwood (D-114th). “Gov. Pritzker is tackling this failure head on and will get us back to the basics of effective governing and create a plan to move our state forward into a new day.”

“Gov. Pritzker is focused on getting the most return on investment that we can, so every dollar is invested into our future,” said Rick Stubblefield, coordinator of St. Clair County’s Workforce Development Group. “Gov. Pritzker understands the challenges and opportunity facing the business community — and the needs of the workers that drive our economy. His executive action today shows his commitment to building the workforce of tomorrow and revving up our state’s economic engine.”

“As the third largest employer in Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is proud to host Gov. Pritzker on his second full day in office,” said Nick Mance, president of Southwestern Illinois College. “The governor is making a statement today by having his first public event outside the capitol in Belleville — that Southern Illinois is a top priority in his administration.”

“As a student here at SWIC, all I want is to build a better future, and today, Gov. Pritzker is helping me and thousands of other students by looking ahead at what it takes to build a 21st century workforce,” said Sonny Wilson, a student at Southwestern Illinois College. “The state needs to look at what industries are growing and prepare students like me to start a career, and that’s what Gov. Pritzker is moving us towards.”

I think the EO itself does a much better job of explaining the need for this action, so click here to read it.

Aside from the substance here, including an area Republican legislator in the event is a good move.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 1:37 pm

Comments

So says state Sen Schimpf. It’s only pork when it’s not job-training dollars in my district. Bet he campaigns on being a fiscal conservative.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 1:44 pm
Nicely done in all respects. First on my list would be to look at the money going out-of-state for DoIT to see if it could be done better and more cost effectively with state employees in partnership with state colleges. It would be nice to see the money for state contracts stay in-state, go to people who pay taxes here and live in our communities, create jobs and career paths for Illinois students, support state schools and maybe incubate some technology entrepreneurship.

Comment by Earnest Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 1:48 pm
This all day long and twice on Sunday.
Rauner didn’t even have a single Regional Economic Development person in place till
six months before
We lost
the National Geospacial Center to STL
Rauner dried DCEO to a husk.
He pumped all effort into the non-foia,
FOR Profit Intersect Illinois
They never did achieve non-profit status.
Finally finally finally
Real Economic Development work
Begins

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 1:59 pm
liking this EO that puts DCEO back in some action. still waiting on that EO to abolish Intersect Illinois. that’s an easy one and a no brainer. get rid of it already.

Comment by Baloneymous Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 2:00 pm
If this means DCEO might become more than just a corporate welfare handout agency I’ll be thrilled.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 2:14 pm
Sounds like the makings of a comprehensive business plan, like the big kids in the private sector do it.

That’s a much better foundation moving forward than believing nonsensical lies about “hundreds of corporations” fixing to move to the state if you buy what a certain snake-oil salesman is selling.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 2:17 pm
As long as the State is going to try to do economic development, this is a good move. Getting rid of Intersect Illinois would also be good.

But it still bothers the libertarian part of me to have the State (or any government) trying to pick winners and losers.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 2:28 pm
Presuming the cost isn’t unreasonable (and I’m guessing it’s not) I’m all for this but with a caveat: targeting growth areas in “the age of disruption” (as Tom Friedman would say) is chancy. Lot of IT work ended up getting outsourced, a lot of predictions of a “green energy boom” haven’t played out, at least by the predicted timetable (fracking, on the other hand…). What’s always going to be important is an educated pool of workers with amorphous skills (e.g., good writing)

Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 2:34 pm
There are a lot of jobs and career tracks open in traditional employment sectors, going unfilled due to lack of training. The real issue isn’t identifying areas of potential job growth; it’s training the workforce to fill the jobs that are available. We don’t have an economic development problem, or a vision problem; we have a human services problem.

Comment by Downstate Dem Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 2:46 pm
== What’s always going to be important is an educated pool of workers with amorphous skills (e.g., good writing) ==

Key asset will be training people to be able to continue learning. Add good communication skills, and that person will always have a job as the economy changes.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 3:51 pm
I can support no new initiatives until i see the progressive tax breakdown.

Comment by Blue Dog Dem Wednesday, Jan 16, 19 @ 9:28 pm
This EO shows that the admin has done planning for taking over state govt. I wonder how many more EOs will emerge over the next few weeks.

Would be interesting to know how the research-fact-finding-boots-on-the-ground data collection will actually take place. I am opposed to cookie-cutter solutions imposed/suggested by a central authority - better to let communities propose ideas (they know their areas/workforce best) and have the DCEO provide back-up/in-depth support, elaboration, etc.

Looking forward to reading the final report in 90 days.

Comment by dbk Thursday, Jan 17, 19 @ 1:26 am