Illinois Works

By Amy Yee | Aug 20, 2025 It’s significant as the state’s construction industry struggles to fill jobs and gears up for more expansion under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which sets a goal to fuel Illinois entirely by clean energy by 2050. Students in the 548 Foundation Clean Energy training program build a mock roof as part of their education to enter the solar industry. | Zubaer Khan/Sun-Times Programs to prepare workers for… Read Full Post

Press Release: Release Date: 07-21-25 Eligible entities can now apply for the fifth round of funding through Illinois Works CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced applications are now open for the fifth round of the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program. The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program provides training opportunities, expands the talent pipeline, and boosts diversity in the construction industry and building trades. Grantees will be selected… Read Full Post

Author Sarah Gibson | August 8, 2025 YWCA Quad Cities’ 13-week Pre-Apprenticeship Program offers paid jobs, skills training and career prep for Illinois youth ages 16-24 this summer. ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — YWCA Quad Cities is continuing its Pre-Apprenticeship Jobs Program for a second summer, giving Illinois youth paid work experience and professional skills training. The 13-week program is open to residents ages 16–24 and provides full or part-time employment at local businesses. All student… Read Full Post

Shaw Local | August 14, 2025 Graduates of the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program in Will County on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, at the Will County Courthouse in Joliet. (Felix Sarver) Almost 20 people have graduated from a pre-apprenticeship program in Will County that prepares them for union trade apprenticeships and construction project opportunities. The ceremony for 18 graduates of the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program was held Wednesday on the fifth floor of the Will County Courthouse in Joliet, where the… Read Full Post

Why Join the Bid Credit Program Are you a contractor or subcontractor in the State of Illinois? Do you need access to a pool of skilled workers that are ready and able to begin working when you need them? Do you employ apprentices to comply with the Apprenticeship Initiative? Do you bid on state-funded capital construction projects now or plan to bid on them in the future? If you answered “Yes” to any of the… Read Full Post