Illinois is investing tax dollars in pre-apprenticeship programs, ensuring potential applicants are work-ready, develop a strong work ethic, and understand construction career opportunities. The state-funded Highway Construction Careers Training Program, the Climate and Equitable Jobs Training Program, and the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program are a second chance for many.

According to the IEPI report, graduates accounted for “35 percent of all new Black construction apprentices and 21 percent of all new female construction apprentices in Illinois. The number of new construction apprentices in Illinois increased by 52 percent, with new Black apprentices doubling (+95 percent) and new female apprentices tripling (+202 percent).”

The IEPA report adds that: “Participants who enroll in joint labor (union)-management registered apprenticeship programs earn $37,000 in their first year of training and $81,000 upon graduating to union journey workers.”

On behalf of our local trades, who are eager to open our doors to all. I thank our local governments, who realize that tax dollars are maximized when we provide opportunities for all. Now is the time to widen that net and ensure that every tax dollar appropriated to a developer also requires local hiring.

Please join us at the Labor Day Parade at 10 a.m. on Monday. And as you scan our proud local union members marching together, please note our diversity. A union construction career is a foundation for a strong family and a thriving community, and we salute our government partners who support us and hope to partner with them to widen that opportunity net.