At the Third Annual Workforce Symposium, workforce development professionals across the Chicagoland area were instrumental in exploring the theme, “Fostering Collaboration: Bridging the Gap Between Workers, Employers, and Community.” Their insights, best practices, and program successes throughout the day were pivotal in exploring how to create a more equitable workforce system. The event was hosted by the Chicago Workforce Funder Alliance, which partnered and planned with the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, World Business Chicago, Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, Chicago Jobs Council, and The Innovation Nexus.

In a recent Senate hearing, Dr. Lisa Bly-Jones, CEO of the Chicago Jobs Council (CJC), provided insightful testimony on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and its critical role in addressing the needs of the modern workforce. Since the hearing, she was asked to submit a response to a few questions the Senators had.