Illinois Tollway Launches ConstructionWorks Program

The Illinois Tollway recently announced the launch of ConstructionWorks, a new workforce training and careers program for job-seekers in Northern Illinois. Photo Caption: Illinois Tollway
The Illinois Tollway recently announced the launch of ConstructionWorks, a new workforce training and careers program for job-seekers in Northern Illinois. Photo Caption: Illinois Tollway

Illinois Tollway Launches ConstructionWorks Program

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

Illinois Tollway Board Chairman, Bob Schillerstrom, along with the Illinois Tollway executive director, Liz Gorman, recently announced that the agency’s new Construction- Works workforce training and careers program is ready to launch and will serve job seekers across Northern Illinois, including in Cook County.

ConstructionWorks will be administered by The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership and will provide free pre-apprenticeship training and support services to underemployed and disenfranchised individuals seeking training and career opportunities in the highway construction industry, including members of minority groups, women and veterans, according to a press release announcing the launch of the ConstructionWorks program.

“We are marking the official start of ConstructionWorks to create a pipeline of qualified diverse men and women ready for careers in the heavy highway and related construction industries,” said Schillerstrom. “Construction- Works will provide more than just job opportunities, it will allow workers to support their families, send their kids to college and build a better future for themselves.”

The Illinois Tollway is the agency that maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.

The Illinois Tollway does not receive state or federal funds to maintain or operate these roadways and relies solely on user-fees, according to the Illinois Tollway website. It is expected that through the Construction- Works program at least 150 individuals will be placed into apprenticeship and training programs during the first three years. The program will also place an emphasis on highway skilled construction trades, according to a press release announcing the ConstructionWorks program.

“Workforce development has always been one of my administration’s top priorities,” said Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board. “I applaud the Illinois Tollway for having the foresight to engage the public workforce system to champion this effort in an industry that has been historically biased against minorities, especially women and people of color.”

While administering the ConstructionWorks program, The Cook County Workforce Partnership will work to identify underemployed

construction industry workers and trainees and place them in construction industry opportunities that are suited for their skills and their career aspirations. In addition to providing direct access to training, ConstructionWorks will work with individuals who are already working in the field to help them progress into more highly skilled trades.

“I believe very strongly that every single person deserves access to world-class careers, skills training, and job opportunities,” said Karin M. Norington-Reaves, chief executive officer of The Cook County Workforce Partnership.

“This announcement aligns with our efforts to ensure we are providing resources for people that are traditionally underrepresented in the construction trade and furthers our mission

to create economic empowerment through employment.”

For more information visit www.workforceboard. org.

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