AGENDA and MINUTES - Pillar 4 Subcommittee meeting December 11, 2024

Commission on Poverty Elimination and Economic Security

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

Meeting Agenda and Minutes

Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 12:00-1:00 PM

Recording

Subcommittee members in attendance:

  1. Crystal Bush - Subcommittee chair
  2. Kimberly Tate - Office of Senator Kimberly Lightford, Commission member
  3. Rev. Dwight Ford - Commission member
  4. Anna Koeppel - IWGP member
  5. Carrie Thomas - IWGP member
  6. Amy Evans - public member
  7. Matt Bruce - public member
  8. John Bouman - public member
  9. Bob Glaves - public member
  10. Karina Lopez - IDHS-SME
  11. Cory Gold - IDHS-SME
  12. Charles Hopkins - IDHS-SME

Administrator: Priya Khatkhate, DHS-Chief Policy Officer

Facilitators:

  1. Kaitlin Devaney - Institute of Research on Race and Public Policy (IRRPP)
  2. Nancy Toure - IRRPP

Agenda:

  1. Welcome/Roll Call
    1. Introduction of new members
      1. Hon. Fredrenna M. Lyle
      2. Rev. Dwight Ford
  2. Public Comment - subject to written comment in advance
  3. Approval of Meeting Minutes: May 21, 2024 and August 9, 2024
  4. Development/Review of FY25 Goals
  5. Establishing regular cadence of meeting
    • Proposed: every 1st Friday of the third month (March, June, September and December) from 12 to 1 PM
  6. Next Steps
  7. Adjournment

Minutes:

  1. Welcome/Roll Call - quorum was declared.
    • Introduction of new members - Rev. Dwight Ford, Project NOW
  2. Public Comment - subject to written comment in advance, none received.
  3. Approval of Meeting Minutes: May 21, 2024 and August 9, 2024 - the group unanimously approved the May 21, 2024 and August 9, 2024 meeting minutes.
  4. Review of FY25 Goals
    1. Researching models for universal childcare and pre-k: The subcommittee will conduct an in-depth analysis of existing universal childcare and pre-k programs, examining their funding models, outcomes and best practices. This research will provide a foundation for developing robust recommendations tailored to Illinois' needs.
    2. Building partnerships for policy support: to strengthen advocacy efforts, the subcommittee will establish partnerships with key stakeholders, including community organizations, policymakers, and employers gathering diverse perspectives to bolster support for potential policy reforms.
    3. Developing an informed advocacy strategy: by integrating findings from their childcare research and the ongoing mapping of childcare availability and affordability, the subcommittee will craft an advocacy strategy focused on enhancing Illinois' childcare offerings and making quality care accessible to more families.
    4. Additionally, to support workforce development, Pillar 4 will prioritize Investment in Apprenticeships and Barrier Reduction Programs. This will include advancing advocacy for appropriations dedicated to expanding work-based learning and apprenticeship programs as well as identifying opportunities for improvement in existing barrier reduction initiatives that help residents enter and thrive in the workforce.
  5. Establishing regular cadence of meeting - schedule for the quarterly meetings for FY25 will be sent in advance, either late this year or early January to provide regularity and so that the group has it on their calendars in advance.
    • Proposed: every 1st Friday of the third month (March, June, September and December) from 12 to 1 PM
  6. Next Steps
    1. Proposed shift in meeting structure
      1. Current structure:
        1. Refinement of goals.
        2. Reporting on status of activities related to the goals.
        3. Members can join with any particular participation.
      2. Proposed shift in structure:
        1. Identifying critical topics connected to particular focus areas for these meetings.
        2. Identifying practitioners and experts to present along with an open and guided discussion on challenges and solutions.
    2. Suggested topics, experts to invite -
      1. Apprenticeship Illinois/Apprenticeship committee - Jennifer Foil, Director, Workforce Policy and Programs, Center for Governmental Studies, Northern Illinois University; Ms. Foil has been integrally involved in some of the expansion work for the Apprenticeship program. Ms. Carrie Thomas can help in inviting Ms. Foil to be a speaker.
      2. DCFS - operation and mechanics e.g. division for childcare provider licensing either Anna Koeppel can make the connection or Priya/Len will reach out to DEC.
      3. The change in federal administration and how it's going to be impacting everything can be used as a lens to use in looking at the work - could be the topic in the March meeting c/o Priya.
      4. Illinois Partners for Human Services - Lauren Wright, Executive Director
      5. Legal advocacy on homelessness prevention issues - Bob Glaves/John Bouman
      6. Highway Construction Careers Training Programs of the Department of Transportation - the program is implemented in 15 community colleges that are stretched out from east, west, north and south all the way to Cairo and offers a 13-week at no cost to those who qualify. It pays $15 an hour for the 13 weeks that the participants are in class. The program's budget doesn't get picked up by other interests and thus, allows to case manage each graduate into the building trade because it is listed as a pre-apprenticeship program. Rev. Ford can make the connection.
      7. Childcare/HeadStart - DCFS; if the program take a major blow, a lot of people will be scrambling to look for childcare. 80% of the HeadStart population has to be at 100% federal poverty level. c/o Re. Ford; John Bouman can make a connection with experts on childcare from the Center for Law and Social Policy who can give a survey on what's going on around the country.
      8. Job Corps - listed as taking major cuts and blows according to Rev. Ford
      9. Extension in Job Retention - Workforce Development, Employment and Training; some people from Mr. Charles Hopkins team maybe able to present in June next year. The extension is supposed to roll out January 1st.
      10. Treatment of immigrants in the workforce, access to jobs in education, work permits, free public education which might be impacted as the new federal administration comes in c/o John Bouman
      11. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion which could include erosion of civil rights laws or the implementing regulations and the department enforcement of it - might be impacted with the new federal administration. c/o John Bouman
      12. Access to healthcare - the state law implementing that says if the Feds stopped funding Obama Care at 90%, the state will stop implementing it. c/o John Bouman
      13. Paid Leave - Anna Koeppel, Department of Labor can make the presentation
      14. Redeploy - Illinois Justice project; Rev. Ford will make the connection.
      15. Streamlining/improving eligibility determination across benefit programs - Matt Bruce and Carrie Thomas can bring in national partners who have figured out better ways and maximize getting people their benefits. Priya can also invite someone from the state or a state partner to talk about how the state is trying to tackle the issue.
  7. Next steps
    • meeting minutes will be sent with a summarized list of ideas
    • members can reach out to Kaitlin with specific names or organizations for the ideas they raised
    • members can still suggest and give ideas
  8. Adjournment - Ms. Koeppel moved to adjourn the meeting seconded by Ms. Thomas. The group unanimously agreed to adjourn the meeting at 12:55 PM.