IL HR0646

Urges Community Foundations of Illinois to partner with the State to administer post-graduation scholarship programs aimed at retaining college-educated workers in financially distressed areas

Addresses Illinois population decline, noting 93 of 102 counties have lost population since 2010 and prime working-age population has declined 5% since 2011 while U.S. grew 1.4%

Supports Executive Order 2019-03, which directs state agencies to review industries targeted for economic growth and improve workforce resources for disenfranchised populations

Targets talent retention in key Illinois industries including agribusiness, food processing, biotechnology, energy, healthcare, information technology, and transportation/logistics

Goals include improving income levels, decreasing unemployment rates, increasing household incomes, and raising the percentage of college-educated residents in the state