Lilly Spotlights New Law to Increase Training in the Building Trades

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.  – State Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, is drawing attention to a new law to increase job training in the building trades and help rehabilitate abandoned homes.

“Building a stronger Illinois means equipping young people with the skills they need for careers in the modern workforce,” Lilly said. “This includes the crucial jobs in building trades, from operating and stationary engineers to ironworkers and electricians.”

Lilly backed House Bill 2304, which provides grants to community organizations to establish job training and entrepreneurship programs in buildings trades including construction, electrical, painting and plumbing trades. Under the new law, the Training in the Building Trades Program would provide formal training in a chosen trade from a recognized journeyman or tradesman. Organizations participating in the program would be able to partner with local financial institutions or municipalities to rehabilitate abandoned residential properties in order to develop hands-on experience for participating trainees. Additionally, organizations could establish entrepreneurship programs to provide participants access to capital to launch businesses as building trades contractors or subcontractors.

“With the Training in the Building Trades Program, Illinois has the opportunity to provide people with critical job training skills that will help them build strong middle-class lives,” Lilly said. “And once workers are equipped with skills in the trades under this program, they will also have the opportunity to develop skills to create their own businesses, building a stronger Illinois with an entrepreneurial spirit.”