Pillar 4: Address Barriers to Paid Work, Education, and Advancement

The Illinois Commission on Poverty Elimination and Economic Security has developed strategies, as outlined in the Strategic Plan and are organized under five action pillars, to improve the economic mobility of those living in deep poverty. The pillars and associated strategies emphasize a "multi-generational" approach to poverty, addressing the needs of grandparents, parents, children, and single adults to improve long-term outcomes for all.

The Commission recognizes that the Strategic Plan is not static and will continue to be informed by the efforts of government partners, community-based organizations, businesses, and philanthropy. To that end, the Commission continues to engage stakeholders in those regions of the State that are most impacted by deep poverty, to ensure strategies and solutions meet the varied needs of our diverse State. Thus, the Commission has launched working committees, made up of Commission members, members of the Interagency Working Group and outside stakeholders, to drive strategic initiatives under each of the five strategic pillars.

Pillar 4: Address Barriers to Paid Work, Education, and Advancement 

Strategies:

  1. Address Barriers That Prevent Consistent Work at a Living Wage, by Investing in Transportation, Childcare, Paid Leave, Broadband, Legal Aid, Reentry Services, Disability and Rehabilitation Supports, and Immigrant and Refugee Services
  2. Invest in Apprenticeship, Work Based Learning, and Barrier Reduction Programs So Individuals Can Learn and Train While Supporting Their Family
  3. Expand Access to Legal Counsel for Illinoisans and Ensure Equitable Access to Court and Legal Processes

Subcommittee members:

Appointment Member Affiliation
Chair Crystal Bush UniServ Director, Illinois Education Association
Commission Member Senator Kimberly Lightford Illinois State Senator
Commission Member Rev. Dwight Ford Executive Director, Project NOW
Commission Member Hon. Freddrenna M. Lyle Appellate Court Justice
IWGP Member Anna Koeppel Legislative and Policy Director, Illinois Department of Labor
IWGP Member Isabel Velez-Diez Deputy Director for Policy Development Planning and Research, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
IWGP Invited Member Carrie Thomas Deputy Director, Business Services, Illinois Department of Employment Security
Public Member Erion Malasi Director of Policy & Advocacy, Economic Security for Illinois
Public Member Amy Evans Public Member
Public Member Gina Harris Member, Illinois Education Association; Board member, Oak Park and River Forest High School
Public Member Jeremy Rosen Director of Economic Justice, Shriver Center on Poverty Law
Public Member Matt Bruce Executive Director, Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance
Public Member Dawn Thomas Project Director, Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map
Public Member Bob Glaves Executive Director, Chicago Bar Foundation
Public Member John Bouman Director, Legal Action Chicago
Public Member/IDHS SME Jennifer Gentile Deputy Director, Bureau of Clinical Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities
Public Member/IDHS SME Sinthu Ramalingam Senior Policy Advisor, Division of Early Childhood
Public Member/IDHS SME Karina Lopez Director, DHS-Office of Hispanic and Latino Affairs; AD, Office of Welcoming Centers for Refugee and Immigrant Services
Public Member/IDHS SME Charles Hopkins Interim Bureau Chief, IDHS-FCS, Office of Workforce Development

Meetings: