Remembering Bob Wordlaw: A Community Cornerstone

The Chicago Jobs Council recently announced the passing of Bob Wordlaw, who served as the organization's Executive Director for 19 years before retiring in 2014. The outpouring of tributes from colleagues, mentees, and community leaders paints a portrait of a man whose influence extended far beyond his official titles—a servant leader, mentor, and tireless advocate who shaped Chicago's workforce development landscape for over five decades.

Statement from Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, who served as CJC's first Executive Director and hired Bob Wordlaw, shared the following statement:

I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Bob Wordlaw, a dedicated leader, advocate, and longtime Executive Director of Chicago Jobs Council (CJC). Bob was not only my successor in this work, but he was also someone I had the honor of hiring when I served as CJC's first Executive Director. From the beginning, it was clear that Bob possessed both the passion and the persistence needed to advance CJC's mission of expanding workforce opportunities and strengthening pathways to economic security for residents across our city and county.

Bob led with heart. He believed deeply in the dignity of work and the power of opportunity. During his many years at the helm of Chicago Jobs Council, Bob helped build partnerships, shape innovative policies, and advocate fiercely for communities too often left behind. His work touched thousands of lives, and his legacy continues to echo through the ongoing efforts of CJC and its partners.

I am grateful for the time we shared, for his commitment to service, and for his unwavering belief that our region is strongest when every resident has the chance to thrive. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and the entire CJC community as we mourn his loss and celebrate a life dedicated to justice, opportunity, and the greater good.

Toni Preckwinkle, President, Cook County Board of Commissioners

A Legacy of Servant Leadership

The phrase "servant leader" appears repeatedly in the reflections shared by those who knew Bob. Colleagues described him as a role model whose vision and commitment to workforce development through grassroots advocacy must continue to guide the field. One tribute captured the depth of Bob's influence with a simple yet powerful question that many will carry forward: "WWBD—What Would Bob Do?" His mentorship was so profound that even as an ancestor, his influence will continue to shape those he guided. For over 50 years, Bob showed the workforce development community what to do and how to do it, and his positive influence will live on through the many leaders he helped develop.

Strategic Vision and Mentorship

Bob's approach to workforce development was marked by both strategic thinking and deep community connection. Those who worked alongside him remember him as a pioneer in advancing workforce policy through grassroots advocacy in Chicago, with a remarkable eye for talent and a vision that shaped change in the local workforce ecosystem. Colleagues described Bob as an approachable and strategic thought leader who inspired others to engage, connect, and build business relationships that always included underserved communities. Bob's role as a mentor left an indelible mark on countless professionals in the workforce development field, with many crediting his leadership as instrumental in shaping the early years of their careers in Chicago. One colleague offered prayers and condolences to the vast network of workforce development professionals and practitioners Bob inspired, noting that his legacy of deep wisdom and restlessness should serve as an enduring reminder of the core qualifications required to accomplish the work yet to be finished. For many, Bob was simply an inspirational leader, friend, and mentor whose brilliance in the workforce development space will continue to guide the field for years to come.

Impact on Organizations and Communities

Bob's work had profound effects on the organizations he led and the communities they served. Edward L. Harrison Jr. of The Endeleo Institute recalled Bob's recent retirement as Executive Director and former Board Member: "I will always remember his guidance and passion for Endeleo's Workforce Programs and Community Initiatives!"

Veronica M. Johnson, speaking on behalf of The Endeleo Institute, expressed gratitude for Bob's leadership: "Bob made an indelible impact on Endeleo and the many clients we serve and the lives Bob touched, directly!"

Others who worked with Bob from his early days at The Neighborhood Institute in 1981 through his time at CJC remembered him as a knowledgeable, kind, and dear man who served as a valuable resource and mentor to so many in the world of workforce development in Chicago.

A Chicago Cornerstone

Colleagues captured Bob's significance succinctly, calling him a Chicago cornerstone and a true leader who was wonderful to work with. Many emphasized that this brilliant man and long-time influential practitioner left a great impact on Chicago, representing a huge loss for the city and its communities. Others called Bob a community treasure, expressing the hope that the good he brought into the world would remain forever.

As Chicago's workforce development community mourns Bob Wordlaw's passing, it's clear that his influence will continue to shape the field for years to come. 

Our deepest condolences to Bob's wife Phyllis, his family, friends, and all who knew him. May his memory be a blessing and an inspiration to continue the work he held so dear.

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To read the full tributes and reflections from Bob's colleagues and friends, please visit our LinkedIn post.