Halpin-Backed Legislation Creating Task Force to Bolster Vocational Jobs Opportunities Now Law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A bill backed by state Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, will step up vocational jobs training in Illinois by establishing the Training in Building Trades Program to award grants to community organizations for creating vocational jobs education classes.

“I am committed to building a stronger Illinois, and that means bringing good-paying job opportunities to our communities,” Halpin said. “People deserve a thriving economy, fair wages and sustainable jobs so they can provide for their families. The days of being underemployed and underpaid are coming to an end.”

Continuing his efforts to boost economic opportunity and practical, good-paying jobs, Halpin passed House Bill 2304, which creates the Training in Building Trades Program in the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The goal of this program is to provide opportunities for people between 18 and 35 to learn trade skills, especially in construction, electrical trades or plumbing. Halpin’s bill is also required to give grants to at least three organizations in five geographic areas in Illinois: Central, Northeastern, Southern, Western and Metro-East. The bill received strong bipartisan support and is now law.

“Passing this law is not the final step to creating good-paying jobs for everyone willing to work hard, but it does move us in the right direction,” Halpin said. “I am going to keep pushing for fair salaries and fair taxes for every man and woman in the communities I represent as long as I’m in office. No one should be working full-time and still have to worry how they’re going to make the mortgage payments.”