In the race for economic competitiveness, a state’s most valuable asset is its workforce. 

Attracting and retaining businesses depends on our ability to produce skilled talent that meets the demands of a rapidly evolving economy. For Illinois to lead in this arena, we must make smarter, data-informed decisions about our investments in education and workforce development. That’s why continued and strategic funding for the Illinois Longitudinal Data System is not just a good idea — it is a business imperative.

For too long, Illinois’ data on its residents’ journeys from early childhood to the workforce has been fragmented, locked in a series of silos across various state agencies. This disconnect makes it nearly impossible to answer fundamental questions.

What are the long-term outcomes of our graduates? Which job training programs are most effective at boosting wages? Is Illinois preparing students with the skills needed for tomorrow’s in-demand careers in technology, advanced manufacturing and health care? Are students graduating with career and technical certificates going on to work in those fields?

In 2009, Illinois passed the P-20 Longitudinal Education Data System Act. As the technology tools to develop and maintain it have become more complex and powerful, the Illinois Longitudinal Data System — or ILDS — has ebbed closer and closer to being on par with and in some areas outpacing other states’ longitudinal data systems. 

The ILDS is staffed by the Education Systems Center at Northern Illinois University but driven by eight state agencies: Illinois’ Board of Higher Education; the Community College Board; the State Board of Education; the Student Assistance Commission; and the state departments of Children & Family Services, Commerce & Economic Opportunity, Employment Security and Human Services.

These agencies have each contributed years of staff time and funding to link disparate data across systems and develop relevant reports securely. It’s an infrastructure project for our human capital, connecting the dots between what happens in the classroom and what happens in the workplace. This isn’t just about creating reports; it’s about creating actionable information that policymakers, practitioners and business leaders can use to align education with economic needs. The ILDS is the foundation for creating a smarter, more responsive set of programs to ensure all students can be helped, not hindered, by what we learn.

Based on a nationwide survey of state longitudinal data systems costs, the Education Systems Center estimates it would cost $4 million annually to embed ILDS in state government. A $4 million investment to leverage the over $13 billion the state spends on education and workplace programming, of which $150 million goes directly to career and technical education. The return on this investment is tangible and significant. 

With the ILDS, Illinois educators, state agencies and policy leaders can evaluate the effectiveness of taxpayer-funded programs. For example, Illinois leaders will finally be able to identify which early childhood initiatives lead to better long-term academic outcomes, or which community college credentials translate into higher wages for graduates. This data allows policymakers at the state and local levels to move away from guesswork and toward an evidence-based approach to resource allocation, ensuring every dollar is spent on programs that deliver results for both students and the economy.

A fully funded ILDS also empowers businesses to make better decisions. It can help identify where talent pipelines are strongest, pinpointing which high school and community college programs are excelling at preparing students for specific industries. It can provide a clear view of where skills gaps persist, allowing the private sector and educators to collaborate on creating targeted training programs to fill those gaps.

Illinois has made significant progress in building out this critical system, but the work is far from over. Maintaining the security, privacy and integrity of the data requires ongoing technical and administrative support.

In an era of tight budgets and intense competition, Illinois cannot afford to fly blind. Investing in the infrastructure and staffing necessary to ensure that decision-making is truly data-informed is not only smart policy, it is smart money.

Continued investment in the Illinois Longitudinal Data System is a long-term strategy for success. It is an investment in our youth, our workers and our state’s economic future, and it is time to build it into the state’s budget and infrastructure.

Robin Steans is president of Advance Illinois. Kyle Westbrook is executive director of the Education Systems Center at Northern Illinois University.