IL HR0723

Urges Congress to maintain funding for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which supports workforce development, adult education, vocational services, and employment programs.

Notes WIOA provided job training to 237,836 people nationwide during program year 2020 and has grown substantially in Illinois, with incumbent worker training projects increasing from 64 to 378.

Highlights that Illinois workforce programs achieved a 5.1% statewide unemployment rate and that the East Central Illinois Workforce Board served 262 low-income adults and 163 youth with employment barriers in the past year.

Points out that the East Central Illinois Workforce Board was forced to turn away over 600 adults seeking job training due to funding limitations.

Calls on President Joe Biden to sign legislation that maintains WIOA funding to prevent further service reductions for vulnerable populations including veterans, low-income individuals, people with disabilities, and the long-term unemployed.