SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, supported legislation to bring more than a billion dollars and countless jobs into the state with the electric car manufacturing industry. Additionally, he sponsored and passed legislation to help continue economic development specifically in Belleville. 

“If we are going to be serious about transitioning to green jobs, we need to take real steps toward incentivizing manufacturers to come to Illinois,” said Hoffman. “By bringing in new and growing industries to the state, we are ensuring long-term investment in Illinois and thousands of high paying jobs.”

During the Fall Veto Session, Hoffman passed the Reimagining Electric Vehicles (REV) in Illinois Act to help attract electric vehicles manufacturing and create high paying manufacturing jobs in Illinois. The REV Act (House Bill 1769) creates incentives for manufacturers to come to Illinois and create new jobs. In addition to bringing more than a billion dollars in investment into Illinois, manufacturers will be incentivized to provide additional job training. Additionally, in order to qualify for tax credits under the REV Act, manufacturing companies will need to enter approved project labor agreements and neutrality in union campaigns to ensure opportunities and power for labor unions. 

Hoffman also sponsored and passed legislation to further the work being done to grow the Belleville economy. The Hoffman sponsored Senate Bill 1139 will work to invest in Belleville to develop vacant areas around town and to attract new businesses. 

“Growing the Belleville economy will help communities throughout the Metro East,” said Hoffman. “We need to make sure jobs and businesses stay in the Metro East, and that we continue working to bring new ones to the area.”

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, is inviting area business owners and other community stakeholders to a virtual meeting of her Economic Development Advisory Committee on Tuesday, July 27 at 6 p.m. Those interested in attending can RSVP to repkatiestuart@gmail.com to receive the Zoom link.

“The past year was incredibly difficult for the business community as they had to adapt to pandemic-related restrictions,” said Stuart. “Even though the state has reopened, it will take time for our economy to recover. By receiving feedback from local business leaders and economic development organizations, I’m better able to advocate for their needs moving forward.”

Stuart’s Economic Development Advisory Committee brings together small business owners, members of labor organizations, interested residents and other stakeholders to discuss economic development efforts in the Metro East. In the aftermath of the pandemic, it provides an opportunity for business owners to share the challenges they are facing and for Stuart to set priorities to help the regional economy flourish.

“I encourage local business owners to attend this meeting and bring any questions or thoughts they have,” said Stuart. “I’m excited for our conversation and about the opportunities ahead to ensure downstate Illinois remains a priority for economic investment.”

GURNEE, Ill. – Residents are invited to join state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, for a seminar called How to Start a Small Business in Lake County. The seminar is free and open to the public and will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at Warren-Newport Public Library located at 224 O’Plaine Road in Gurnee.

“I know from starting my own consulting business that launching a personal venture can be a daunting task; it can be difficult to know where to begin,” said Mason. “To address those challenges, I wanted to host a seminar that gives residents the resources and empowerment to take those bold first steps into entrepreneurship.”

How to Start a Small Business in Lake County will be led by Mitch Bienvenue of the Illinois Small Business Development and International Trade Center. Mason also maintains a business of the month program to recognize existing operations that go above and beyond by serving and giving back to the community.

“I’m proud to have sponsored several pieces of legislation that make Illinois a better place to start and grow a small business, and I am excited to be offering this seminar,” said Mason. “I look forward to meeting with residents at this event, and I’m grateful to the Illinois Small Business Development and International Trade Center for being such an enthusiastic partner on this event.”

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EAST MOLINE, Ill. – State Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, attended an event held by Renew Moline, an economic development initiative, as part of his commitment to building a stronger Illinois and middle class.

“My priority is to bring more jobs to Illinois and create new opportunities for small businesses to thrive,” Halpin said. “Hard-working local economic development groups like Renew Moline are a big part of making those goals a realty. Together, we can build a stronger Illinois for current and future generations.”

Halpin attended a celebration luncheon held by the local economic development initiative, Renew Moline to commemorate their 30th anniversary. The organization is working for a stronger economy for communities in Moline, and has already had significant success bringing job growth back to the area.

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LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Mary Edly-Allen, D-Libertyville, recently visited Innovation Park, a local business hub in Libertyville, to gain a better understanding of new 21st Century industries bolstering the regional economy.

“It’s refreshing to know there are companies like Innovation Park injecting new life into the old way of doing business. The whole concept Innovation Park has of looking at ‘space as a tool’ is genius, and the kind of forward-thinking we need to encourage businesses to set up shop in the Lake County area,” said Edly-Allen. “It’s important for businesses to evolve with the economy, and Innovation Park is doing just that as an innovative business hub.”

Innovation Park is a one million square foot business complex with rental space available to businesses of all sizes. Innovation Park brings together all different types of business together to collaborate and invent, and currently houses companies ranging from bioscience research firms to technology firms.

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – To bring together community stakeholders and local businesses, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, will hold an Economic Development Roundtable on Sept. 19 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Gateway Center in Collinsville. Stuart is teaming up with state Sen. Rachelle Crowe, the Small Business Development Center at SIUe, and the City of Collinsville to host this event. There will also be a representative from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to give details about upcoming capital projects in the Metro East.

“There is a lot of excitement surrounding the capital plan, so I thought it would be great to give business and community leaders an update on what projects the state has coming in the near future,” Stuart said. “This event will also allow attendees to ask questions about other factors that will play a role in development in the Metro East.”

The Economic Development Roundtable will include a short presentation from IDOT, a panel discussion, and the opportunity to ask questions to panel members. Representatives from both Madison and St. Clair County will also be participating as members of the panel. This event is free and open to the public, no registration is required.

“I’ve lived in the Metro East for over 20 years, and I am proud to have fought to ensure that our communities are invested in,” continued Stuart. “I’m excited to hear more about the development in the region and the work we did last Spring to ensure downstate Illinois is a priority for economic investment.”

For more information, contact Rep. Stuart’s Constituent Services Office in Collinsville at 618-365-6650 or at RepKatieStuart@gmail.com. 

DES PLAINES, Ill. – Advocating for local economic growth, state Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, sponsored legislation to help boost economic development in Illinois by investing in businesses that invest in local jobs and apprenticeships that lead to good-paying employment opportunities.

“It is important that we help grow local communities by securing economic opportunities here in Illinois,” said Moylan. “We need to create sustainable jobs with fair wages while expanding apprenticeship programs for Illinois residents.”

The Moylan-backed Senate Bill 1591 creates a new tax credit for taxpayers who employ apprentices in their businesses. There is a $3,500 limit on the credit that is raised to $5,000 in situations where the business or apprentice is in an area with high poverty or unemployment. Moylan’s initiative extends a tax credit for a wide range of research and development projects including software programs, manufacturing materials and an array of consumer products.

Senate Bill 1591 passed both the state House and Senate and was signed into law earlier this month.

“We are desperately facing a shortage of skilled workers,” said Moylan. “With this bill, we will support our efforts to build a stronger Illinois and provide hands-on education for a new generation of skilled workers while also generating good jobs now to quickly rebuild local economies.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steelville, sponsored legislation which will bring economic development to Illinois by investing in businesses that invest in local jobs and apprenticeships that lead to good-paying practical employment opportunities.

“We need to secure economic opportunities for growing Illinois communities,” Reitz said. “Creating sustainable jobs with fair wages is central to my commitment to building a stronger Illinois. Expanding apprenticeship programs will bring us closer to that goal.”

Reitz helped pass Senate Bill 1591, which creates a new tax credit for taxpayers who employ apprentices in their businesses. There is a $3,500 limit on the credit that is raised to $5,000 in situations where the business or apprentice is in an area with high poverty or unemployment. The bill also extends a tax credit for a wide range of research and development projects including software programs, manufacturing materials and an array of consumer products.

“Our state is facing a shortage of skilled workers,” Reitz said. “We can fix that problem while generating good jobs; the foundation of stable families, steady businesses and a better economy. This bill will support our efforts to build a stronger Illinois and provide hands-on education for a new generation of workers.”

ALTON, Ill. –State Rep. Monica Bristow, D-Alton is teaming up with Lewis and Clark Community College to host an Adult Education Seminar to connect residents with education and job training resources available to them on Thursday, June 20 at 6 p.m.

“One of my goals in Springfield has been to support education at every level, and ensure that each person has access to affordable and quality education, whether it’s higher education, technical or job skills training, ,” said Bristow. “This is an opportunity for people to take that important first step in looking at new resources and programs that can help them further their education.”

The seminar will feature presentations highlighting programs offered by the Lewis and Clark Adult Education Division and Madison County Employment and Training. Presenters will talk about the options for adults wishing to pursue GED classes or improve their reading skills with a mentor through project READ. Other services related to career development in fields such as construction will also be present, including the YouthBuild Building Future where out-of-school youth can earn their GED while learning job skills rehabbing affordable housing for low-income families. The seminar will be held at the Scott Bibb Center at 1004 E 5th St. in Alton on Thursday, June 20 with presentations starting 6:00 PM and a tour of the facility at 7:30 PM. The event is free and no reservation is required. Free child care will also be provided.

“General education and job training opportunities are something that should be available to anyone regardless of age or income,” said Bristow. “I want to thank Lewis and Clark for their work in helping put this program together and offering these educational services,” said Bristow.

For more information contact Bristow’s constituent service office at 618-465-5900.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Community colleges, high schools and major regional employers would be able to apply for state funding to create and operate new job training programs under legislation sponsored by state Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, which passed both houses of the General Assembly with overwhelming bipartisan support and is expected to arrive on the governor’s desk.

“Illinois has a serious shortage of skilled workers for jobs that pay $35 an hour or more,” said Halpin. “This legislation gives employers the resources they need to create customized job training programs that keep pace with quickly-evolving technology, therefore preparing the next generation of workers for long-term, high-wage jobs.”

Halpin’s Senate Bill 1919 brings together community colleges, high schools and employers to help grow the economy and prepare workers for high-wage jobs by creating the 21st Century Employment Grant Program. The program would enable employers to enter into public-private partnerships to create customized job training programs specific to skills that are in the most demand and the hardest for businesses to find.

“As business’ demand for skilled workers continues to increase, we need to address the disconnect between what high schools and community colleges are teaching and what skills employers are looking for in workers,” said Halpin. “This means directly involving employers in efforts to expand vocational and technical education, so that their needs are being met and prospective workers are prepared for good-paying jobs.”