Prairie State Wire

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) have allocated over $6 million in grant funding to four recipients through the Home Illinois Workforce Pilot Program. This initiative, a collaboration between DCEO, the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH), and the Illinois Interagency Task Force on Homelessness, is financed by the Illinois Job Training and Economic Development Program (JTED).

"We're fighting homelessness in Illinois with compassion, innovation, and ongoing coordination," stated Governor JB Pritzker. "Thanks to this award, my administration is one step closer to reaching our goal of functional zero homelessness by providing vulnerable residents the resources they need to find financial and housing stability."

Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton added, "Too often, systemic inequities compound and force hardworking people into homelessness. Our communities have been asking for ways to uplift and protect each other; the Home Illinois Workforce Pilot Program is turning words into action."

The 30-month program aims to support individuals experiencing homelessness by enhancing employment opportunities, establishing financial stability, and improving their ability to afford permanent housing. It forms an integral part of JTED's efforts to provide workforce training and wrap-around services for equitable workforce recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The State of Illinois is committed to providing critical tools and resources to Illinoisans who have historically experienced disinvestment," said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. "Through the Home Illinois Workforce Pilot Program, DCEO and IDHS are providing grant funding to grantees across the state to increase meaningful career opportunities for vulnerable communities."

The awarded grants are distributed as follows:

| Lead Grantee | Area Served | Grant Amount |

|--------------|-------------|--------------|

| All Chicago Making Homelessness History | Chicago | $2,000,000 |

| Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County | Cook County | $2,000,000 |

| Embarras River Basin Agency, Inc. | Central and Southeast Regions | $1,213,355 |

| United Workforce Development Board, Inc. | North Central Region | $841,190 |

IDHS Secretary Designate Dulce M. Quintero commented on the partnership: "We are grateful to DCEO for this partnership... Connecting more people to work that provides living wages will set them up on a path to independence."

Christine Haley, Chief Homelessness Officer for Illinois remarked: "One of the pillars of our State strategic plan...is securing financial stability. The Home Illinois Workforce Pilot Program represents a significant advancement in strengthening systems..."

Each program involves local Continuum of Care lead agencies partnering with Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Administrative Entities (WIOAs) and community service providers.

Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) noted: "The Home Illinois Workforce Pilot Program is an important tool... I look forward to seeing progress." Representative Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora) added: "By opening doors...the program will significantly impact communities throughout Illinois."

The JTED Grant Program is funded by State General Revenue Funds appropriated by the General Assembly in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget.