Building a More Inclusive Labor Market in Chicago
Annika Cole, CJC Policy Manager, joins partner organizations from across the sector in delivering written and in-person testimony at the Chicago City Council Full Committee hearing in support of the ordinance. This photo was captured after the session.
Update (June 2025):
We are thrilled to announce that since the publication of this blog post, the skills-based hiring ordinance has officially passed at the full committee level. This marks a significant milestone in removing barriers to employment and advancing workforce equity in our city.
Thank you to everyone who has supported this initiative. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this ordinance will have on our communities.
For further details on how you can continue to support skills-based hiring efforts, please feel free to contact us at info@cjc.net.
At our recent Workforce Convo, we explored the concept of STARs (Skilled Through Alternative Routes) as defined by Opportunity@Work and how skills-based hiring can transform workforce equity. We’re excited to share a significant update: the City of Chicago Skills-Based Hiring Ordinance will be reviewed by the City Council Workforce Committee next week on Tuesday, May 13th.
This ordinance, spearheaded by Alderman Villegas, is a critical step in recognizing relevant work experience as equivalent to a college degree for city employment. It aims to open up new opportunities for workers skilled through alternative routes and advance a more inclusive and equitable public sector hiring process.
Why This Matters
Skilled Workers, also known as STARs, are adults aged 25 or older who are active in the labor force, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and have built their skills through avenues like community colleges, apprenticeships, bootcamps, and on-the-job experience. In Chicago, nearly half of the workforce are STARs. Despite their skills, STARs often face systemic barriers, making it difficult to access roles that require a degree.
Passing this ordinance would:
Expand Talent Pools: Enabling the City of Chicago to draw from a broader and more diverse group of qualified candidates to meet its workforce needs.
Advance Equity: Providing access to city jobs for nearly half of Chicago’s workforce, better reflecting the diversity of the community.
Foster Inclusion: Breaking down systemic barriers and ensuring a fairer labor market.
Why Now?
STARs make up 50% of the U.S. labor force, yet they often earn significantly less than their degree-holding counterparts. On average, it takes a STAR more than 30 years to reach the starting salary of a bachelor’s degree holder. This wage gap underscores the urgency of this ordinance, which could provide STARs with access to family-sustaining wages and meaningful careers.
Next Steps
CJC is helping to coordinate testimony and public comment for the City Workforce Committee hearing. Check out this one-pager detailing the ordinance. If you have any questions or need further information, please reach out to Annika at annika@cjc.net.
We’re excited to see this ordinance move forward. Thank you for your continued partnership in creating a more equitable workforce.
