CHICAGO – Two new grants from the U.S. Department of Labor will create nearly 1,300 jobs across Illinois to support the state’s ongoing pandemic response, and State Senator Emil Jones, III (D-Chicago) encourages job seekers to apply.

“Expanding job opportunities for unemployed workers is the most important asset we need in our current climate,” Jones said. “The creation of these jobs will help unemployed workers while assisting in the recovery of our community.”  

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Security (DCEO) has received two $8.3 million grants as part of the National Dislocated Worker Program, totaling a $16.6 million investment to place, train and hire Illinois workers to fill high-demand positions and assist local disaster relief programs.

The state will distribute funding to 12 Local Workforce Innovation Areas to expand education and training opportunities throughout Illinois. DCEO will partner with local workforce agency partners to assist with filling high-need, temporary roles to help mitigate COVID-19 in communities, including contact tracers, COVID-19 protocol workers, building sanitization workers, temperature screeners, and food preparation and distribution workers.

Training and hiring for new workforce programs are expected to begin this fall. Local workforce agencies will prioritize applicants who have been laid off or otherwise lost their jobs during the COVID-19 crisis at the time of their application. A full list of available training and hiring opportunities is available at Get Hired Illinois.