Illinois Workforce Innovation Board

​​We provide businesses with​ sustainable, no-cost, low-cost strategies to recruit, hire, train, and​ retain a skilled workforce needed to thrive.​​

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What is the IWIB?
​IWIB LogoThe Illinois Workforce Innovation Board (IWIB) brings together leaders from government, business, labor, education, and community organizations, all appointed by the Governor, to ensure that Illinois has the talent it needs for both today and the future.
 
The IWIB oversees the development, execution, and periodic updates of the Illinois WIOA State Plan PY2024-2027​. By convening all required programs and partners, the Board provides strategic oversight for Illinois's workforce development system.
 
Through standing committees and workgroups, IWIB members from both the private and public sectors review policies, gather feedback from partner organizations and the public, and deliver recommendations that enhance our state's workforce ecosystem.
 
The IWIB Strategic Planning Framework, outlined in the 2025 IWIB Strategic Plan Booklet, aligns workforce programs, educational initiatives, and economic development across Illinois. It sets clear objectives and priority actions, calling on IWIB to collaborate closely with Local Workforce Innovation Boards and other partners to achieve better outcomes for both businesses and job seekers.
 
Access IWIB policies in Chapter 1 of the WIOA ePolicy Manual (only applicable Chapter).
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IWIB Co-Chairs

Andrew Warrington, CEO of UCC Environmental, and Kristin A. Richards, Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, co-chair the IWIB. View the IWIB Membership Listing, Calendar, and Related Files .

IWIB Co-Chairs ​
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Workforce Pell​
​Workforce Pell, or Pell Grants for Workforce, is an expansion of the existing Pell Grant program, signed into law on July 4, 2025. It extends Pell eligibility to short-term workforce training programs. For the first time, students pursuing short-term credentials in high-demand fields can access federal grant funding that does not need to be repaid. For the first time, individuals who ​have already obtained a bachelor’s degree are also eligible to receive Workforce Pell Grants to earn an additional workforce credential from an approved program.

For Illinois, this represents a significant opportunity to expand access to workforce training in sectors facing critical talent shortages. Learn more about the Wor​kforce Pell​.
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Events​​
The calendar serves as a public notice for meetings; select an event to view logistics and materials.​​
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Newsletters
​Coming Soon!​​
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Resources and Tools​