MY LEGISTATIVE INITIATIVES
Illinois State Training and Employment Program I have long advocated for job creation as a way to drive the Illinois economy forward – especially in such tough budget years. Throughout my years of work in economic development, small and large business-owners alike have reinforced to me that one of the keys to job creation and business expansion is access to a skilled workforce. Unfortunately, Illinois ranks 45th in dollars spent on job training and faces a growing skills gap.
Earlier this month, I sponsored a proposal creating a workforce-training program designed to address these very issues. The Illinois State Training and Employment Program – otherwise known as I-STEP – is a no-cost job training initiative that empowers community colleges to provide job training for new hires at companies that are adding to the Illinois workforce. The income tax collected from the new employee will go to pay down the cost of the program – making it entirely revenue-neutral.
In Iowa and Michigan, where similar programs have been enacted, the proposals have produced jobs that average annual salaries of $50,000 or more.
I am happy to report I-STEP passed the Senate overwhelmingly with bi-partisan support. (READ MORE)
Investment in Transportation In January, I wrapped up a six-month effort to meet with every municipality and discuss the transportation and infrastructure improvements most vital to their cities, villages and towns. I want to make sure state transportation officials know the needs of Lake County and its communities and that we finally get the investment in projects that we’ve long deserved.
Please help me fight for our communities by signing my petition to show that transportation needs in Lake County must be a state priority.
School Funding Reform Act of 2014 I have been active in the Education Funding Advisory Committee for the better part of the last year. We have travelled across the state to dozens of Committee hearings and heard over 40 hours of testimony on the current education funding formula. Our work has culminated in a proposal to streamline the current funding structure for public education into one funding formula – the School Funding Reform Act of 2014.
This proposal would provide a more equitable funding stream for public education in Illinois and offer more transparency in how education dollars are spent. (READ MORE)
While we all agree our current funding system doesn’t work, as we move forward it’s important to me to make sure those that deal with these issues every day have a seat at the table and are part of the conversation.
That’s why last week I met with 21 Lake County Superintendents to discuss the details of the proposal. I want to make sure that our superintendents are able to make improvements and participate in the process of changing how we fund education in the State of Illinois.
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