Joint Senate committee hearings continue, bettering workforce development for young Illinoisans

JOLIET – State Senators Pat McGuire (D-Joliet) and Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Plainfield) will host a subject matter hearing Thursday to discuss improvements to workforce development and job opportunities for young people. This hearing continues efforts by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus to build an agenda ahead of the upcoming fall veto legislative session.

"It's been several decades since one could roll out of bed the day after high school graduation and get a lifetime job with good pay and benefits," McGuire said. "Tomorrow's hearing will explore what experiences we must provide to K-12 students so they can attain economic security in the tumultuous 21st century economy."

The joint hearing of the Senate Higher Education and Senate Education Committees is prompted by one of the four pillars guiding the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus legislative agenda to eliminate systemic racism. The pillars include:

Criminal justice reform, violence reduction and police accountability
Education and workforce development
Economic access, equity and opportunity
Health care and human services

WHO: Joint Senate Education and Higher Education Committees

WHAT: Subject matter hearing on workforce development and strengthening meaningful work experience opportunities for Illinois jobless youth

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 5 at 9 a.m.

WHERE: Conducted remotely via Zoom and broadcast live on https://ilga.gov/senateaudvid.asp or on Blue Room Stream, a subscription-based service

Those who wish to submit written testimony to the hearing can do so online at www.ilga.gov.

To watch the virtual committee, visit https://ilga.gov/senateaudvid.asp and click "Watch Live Virtual Committee Video." The link will be available at 9 a.m.