Quishawna had been having a hard time finding employment that paid a living wage for her family. She attended Senator Bush's Round Lake Job Fair in July with the hopes of finding a good-paying job.

At the job fair, Quishawna initially spoke with employers who were hiring for cashier positions since she had experience as a cashier. When she came across Glenkirk, a nonprofit that serves individuals with disabilites, Quishawna thought about her mother who is involved in a mental health program, and after speaking with the Glenkirk representatives, Quishawna knew she wanted to work there.

“I felt the chemistry as they explained what the job was about. My experience with my mother and my customer service background fit together for this type of work.”

The day after the job fair, Glenkirk staff reached out to Quishawna for an interview. Later that week, she was hired. On July 26th, Quishawna started full-time at Glenkirk as a Direct Support Professional. In her position, she coordinates activities for individuals with disabilities.

“I’ve never had a job with benefits before. Now I can earn vacation days. The company offers a retirement package and a medical plan.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has released competitive grant opportunities to support Adult and Youth Registered Apprenticeships in Illinois. Apprenticeship programs meet the skilled workforce needs of industry by connecting job seekers looking to learn new skills with employers looking for qualified workers, resulting in a workforce with industry-driven training and employers with a competitive edge.

The Department will host a workshop to review the Apprenticeship Plus model and highlight the current funding opportunities on April 4, 2017 at 10:00am at the Bilandic Building, 160 N. LaSalle St, 5th floor auditorium, Chicago.

To RSVP for the event or for more information about the grants, click here.

Earlier this month, two surveys on the Illinois Senate's budget and reform legislation package were sent out to 31st district residents. 163 people completed the short survey and 359 people completed the long one. The results of those surveys are below.

Short survey results

Long survey results

The Illinois State Senate has been acting in a bipartisan manner to find a way to end the nearly two-year budget impasse in Springfield. There are a multitude of proposals being discussed in an effort to reach a compromise. Before casting any votes, Senator Bush would like to get your opinion on some of the issues being debated. Constituents have two survey options: a brief survey and a longer, more in-depth survey.

To take a brief survey, click here.

To take an in-depth survey, click here.

I appreciate your feedback.