IL SR0596

Urges President Obama and Congress to pass the $5 billion Pathways Back to Work Act (H.R. 3425 and S. 1861) to fund summer and year-round employment, education, and training programs for disadvantaged youth and adults.

Highlights severe teen unemployment crisis in 2011, with 73% of Illinois teens jobless and 88% of black teens unemployed, compared to 50% overall teen joblessness in 2000.

Notes that summer youth employment provides long-term benefits including higher future earnings at age 25, increased likelihood of continued employment, reduced high school dropout rates, and decreased teen pregnancy among working youth.

References a successful $1.2 billion summer youth employment program in 2009 that employed over 330,000 youth nationally, but notes no funding is allocated for summer 2012 programs.

Requests copies of the resolution be sent to President Obama and Illinois congressional delegation members.