2026 WIOA Regional and Local Planning

​The federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) requires the creation of comprehensive regional and local workforce d​​evelopment strategic plans from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2028.

This page is the official source of information on Illinois WIOA Regional and Local planning. Individuals and organizations interested in the planning process will find:
  • Regional and Local Planning Guidance
  • WIOA Services locator
  • Illinois Sector Strategies Framework
  • Regional Data Packets
  • Online Plan/MOU Dashboard
    • Indicates the plan status while in the review process; once approved, the means to view, search, and download regional and local plans.
  • FAQs

​​Icon Regional Planning FAQ

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Planning Guidance​

2026 Plan Modification Guidance

  • Illinois WIOA Planning Process – Regional and Local Plan Modification Process Guide (PDF​)
  • 2026 Supplemental Instructions to Modifying Regional and Local Plans (PDF​)

Webinar Slides

  • Coming Soon

Templates

  • ​PY2026 Regional and Local Plan Modification Revision Response Letter (Wor​​d​)

2024 Planning Guidance


Other Resources

Additional Information

Sector Strategies/Business Engagement

  • ​​Clarifying Sector Strategies for WIOA Regional Planning (PP​T​)​
  • Illinois Sector-Based Employer Engagement (PDF)
  • US Chamber Talent Pipeline Management
  • Illinois Integrated Business Services Environmental Scan (PD​F)
  • Striking the Balance: Address the Needs of Illinois' Employers and Most Vulnerable Job Seekers (P​DF)
  • Gallup Report - Recent and Predicted Remote Work Trends (PDF)

Service Integration

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Data

Regional Data Packets

​​Packets contain population demographics and maps with high-level industry data.

IDES Labor Market Data

Federal Data Sources

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Local Performance Negotiations
​Local Workforce Innovation Boards (LWIB) and Chief Elected Officials are required to negotiate with the Governor to reach an agreement on local levels of performance for each of the primary indicators of performance for WIOA Title IB Programs (Adult, Dislocated Worker,​ and Youth) for each two-year planning cycle. Policy and guidance regarding the local negotiation process, including planning and submission of expected levels of performance, can be found in the following documents:
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Contacts
General questions about data packets, census data, etc.
​Andy Blanke, MPA
Research Specialist, NIU Center for Governmental Studies
Email IconABlanke1@NIU.edu
Phone Icon(815) 753-1569
 
Detailed questions about IDES data, forecasts, etc.
Logan Taira
IDES Labor Market Economists Regional Contacts
Regions 1, 2, 3
Rita Podledneva, PhD​
​​Phone Icon (217) 558-1237
​Regions 4, 5, 6, 10
Logan Taira, MS​
Phone Icon (815) 395-6680
Regions 7, 8, 9
Eric Make​la, PhD
Phone Icon (217) 557-3116​​