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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, America's economy is in the midst of change and
3 redirection; and
 
4     WHEREAS, The skills and knowledge of Illinois' workforce
5 are one of the State's most valuable resources; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Illinois must meet the ever-increasing demand for
7 a competitive and productive workforce; and
 
8     WHEREAS, Illinois' economic prosperity and growth are
9 critically linked to the performance of its workforce; and
 
10     WHEREAS, The availability of a skilled workforce will
11 increasingly influence corporate expansion and relocation; and
 
12     WHEREAS, Illinois' local governments, its counties and
13 municipalities, are the primary delivery system for job
14 training, job placement, and workforce preparation services
15 for the citizens and businesses of our State; and
 
16     WHEREAS, A statewide workforce summit meeting of chief
17 local elected officials, hosted by Chicago Mayor Richard M.
18 Daley, culminated in the Illinois Workforce Resolution, signed
19 by chief local elected officials representing the 26 Local
20 Workforce Investment Areas that blanket Illinois; and
 
21     WHEREAS, The Illinois Workforce Resolution emphasizes the
22 critical importance of preserving local decision-making in
23 workforce development programs and these principles were
24 incorporated by Congress into the federal Workforce Investment
25 Act of 1998; therefore, be it
 
26     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
27 NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that

 

 

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1 the following core principles should be maintained in the
2 upcoming reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act and
3 implemented by State departments and agencies in the creation
4 and operation of workforce development programs, whether
5 through legislation or regulatory and administrative
6 modifications; and be it further
 
7     RESOLVED, That America's workforce development system must
8 continue to recognize the value of local decision-making, and
9 that workforce development activities in Illinois recognize
10 the unique character of each of the State's 26 Local Workforce
11 Investment Areas, and fully support the authority and
12 accountability of chief local elected officials for the
13 direction and oversight of workforce programs in their
14 jurisdictions; and be it further
 
15     RESOLVED, That the system should offer comprehensive
16 services, universal access, and life-long learning
17 possibilities for both employers and individuals; and that
18 localities must have the flexibility and freedom to integrate
19 programs and tailor services to meet these needs; and be it
20 further
 
21     RESOLVED, That the public/private partnership concept that
22 has worked so effectively under the guidance of chief local
23 elected officials, including business, education and civic
24 leaders, should continue as the cornerstone of the workforce
25 preparation system, to meet the challenge of creating job
26 opportunities for every Illinois resident; and be it further
 
27     RESOLVED, That needs-based funding should be maintained in
28 allocating Federal and State financial resources to localities
29 for workforce development, taking into account the unemployed,
30 underemployed, dislocated workers and at-risk youth; and be it
31 further
 

 

 

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1     RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
2 delivered to the President Pro Tempore and Minority Leader of
3 the United States Senate, to the Speaker of the House and
4 Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives,
5 to each member of the Illinois Congressional' Delegation, and
6 to Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.