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January 2025
The new year has started off strong with several major workforce and economic development announcements from across our region and the state. From Lake County ROE’s milestone grant award to Fortune Brands Innovations’ major expansion in Lake County and new funding opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs, the value and impact of business in the region and across the state is at the forefront.
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Lake County ROE Secures Prestigious $9.9M EIR Grant to Enhance Student Well-Being and Achievement
The Lake County Regional Office of Education (ROE) has been awarded a $9.9 million grant under the highly competitive Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Program. The five-year grant will fund the ISF-SHINE 2025-2029 Project (School Health and Interventions for Nurturing Excellence), an innovative program aimed at transforming student well-being, behavior, and academic success in elementary schools across Lake County.
As one of only 33 recipients nationwide this year, Lake County joins prestigious institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the American Institutes for Research in receiving funding for educational research and programming.
Congratulations to Dr. Michael Karner, Regional Superintendent of Schools, and Lake County Workforce Development Board Member, on this milestone grant award.
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Governor Pritzker Announces Investments in Fortune Brands Innovations' Expanded Deerfield Headquarters
In a major win for Lake County, Governor JB Pritzker, Fortune Brands Innovations, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) have announced new investments in the company's expanded headquarters in Deerfield. Fortune Brands Innovations' significant investment in capital expenditures, bolstered by an Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) agreement, will enable the company to expand its headquarters to increase its operations and position the company and its brands for long-term growth.
The Company is a brand, innovation, and channel leader focused on exciting, supercharged categories in the home products, security, and commercial building markets. The Company's portfolio of brands includes Moen, House of Rohl, Aqualisa, SpringWell, Therma-Tru, Larson, Fiberon, Master Lock, SentrySafe, and Yale residential.
"We conducted a thorough, nationwide headquarters search before confirming Deerfield, Illinois as the most strategic location for our new, state-of-the-art campus, which will have capacity for over 1,000 associates by the end of 2027," said Fortune Brands Chief Executive Officer Nicholas Fink. "Illinois is home to one of the strongest professional labor forces in the nation, which is exactly what we need as we unify our associates in one location and continue to innovate for accelerated growth. The deep talent pool and competitive incentives package from the State of Illinois were critical factors in our decision."
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Monopar Therapeutics Joins Rosalind Franklin University’s Helix 51 Incubator
Monopar Therapeutics is the latest thriving biotech company to sign on at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Helix 51 biomedical incubator, which provides cutting-edge lab space and technology, a deep bench of talent, and other resources to nurture research and support transformative healthcare opportunities.
“We are excited to be a part of the vibrant biomedical community at RFU,” says Monopar COO Andrew Cittadine. “We see this as an opportunity to accelerate the development of new products and were drawn to the talented and collaborative community at Helix 51.” Helix 51 is the premier wet-and dry-lab based incubator in Lake County, and it provides the research space and essentials that growing biotech and biopharma companies need to develop drugs and devices and advance research and development.
Article reposted from Lake County Partners.
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$10 Million OE3 Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program Announced
Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) in announcing $10 million in funding for the Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment (OE3) Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program to help small businesses achieve sustainable growth, improve efficiency, and create and retain jobs. This grant funding will help small businesses improve infrastructure, acquire essential equipment, or purchase new property. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.
Qualified entities include businesses owned by Socially Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI) with a maximum of 25 full-time permanent employees and Very Small Businesses (VSBs) with less than 10 employees. Priority will be given to businesses located in Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Investment Areas, especially those with project proposals that focus on job creation, economic revitalization, or increased community engagement in these areas.
Through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) qualified entities can apply for grants from $10,000 to $245,000. Applications will be accepted until April 7, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. To view and apply for the grant, please visit the DCEO website.
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$7 Million Tech Incubator Enhancement Grants Now Available
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) have announced $7 million in funding for the Tech Incubator Enhancement Grants Program (TIEG) to support entrepreneurship and innovation in key growth industries through startup incubators. This grant funding will strengthen Illinois' technology network by increasing the resilience of existing technology incubators. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.
In addition to strengthening Illinois' existing incubator foundation, TIEG will also lean into key growth industries of the future as outlined in Illinois' 2024 Economic Growth Plan, including:
• Life sciences
• Quantum computing, AI, and microelectronics
• Clean energy production and manufacturing
• Advanced manufacturing
• Next generation agriculture, agriculture tech and food processing
• Transportation, distribution, and logistics
Through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) qualified entities can apply for grants from $10,000 to $3 million. Applications will be accepted until March 17, 2025, at 5 p.m. To view and apply for the grant, please visit the DCEO website.
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Illinois Unemployment Rate Down, Jobs Up in December
According to data released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nonfarm payrolls increased +8,800 while the unemployment rate fell -0.1 percentage point to 5.2 percent in December.
"Our commitment to strategically investing in the state's workforce is essential to ensuring all Illinoisans have access to good-paying jobs," said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. "As unemployment rates decrease and payroll job numbers grow, DCEO is dedicated to building upon our efforts to bolster the state's economy."
In December, the industry sectors with the largest over-the-month job increases included: Financial Activities (+2,900), Private Education and Health Services (+2,600), and Government (+2,000).
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Illinois Doubled Private Sector Investments in One Year
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) have released record-breaking data highlighting economic development milestones from 2024. Gov. Pritzker's economic agenda doubled private investments in Illinois from $6.3 billion in 2023 to $12.5 billion in 2024, quadrupling the number of retained jobs. Illinois also doubled company investments in the clean energy economy from $2 billion to $4 billion and achieved significant growth in key sectors including quantum computing, record-breaking tourism, and exports.
Key incentive programs include Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE), Reimagining Energy and Vehicles (REV), Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity Act (MICRO), the Data Center Tax Credit Program, and the High Impact Business (HIB) program. With competitive incentives, modernized infrastructure, unmatched transportation, and an abundant and highly qualified workforce, Illinois continues to attract and retain companies making large-scale, long-term investments in the state.
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Gov. Pritzker Announces Second Round of Funding for the Illinois Grocery Initiative Equipment Upgrades Grant Program
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $2.4 million in available grant funding for the second round of the Equipment Upgrades Grant Program through the Illinois Grocery Initiative. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.
This second round of the Equipment Upgrades Grant Program will build upon the State's efforts to provide funding for energy-efficient equipment upgrades for existing grocery stores, with priority given to those located in food insecure communities across the state. This program is designed to strengthen existing grocery stores and preserve access to fresh food in food insecure communities, in an effort to stop the formation of new food deserts.
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Job Seeker Success Story – Alice
Alice, a bilingual professional, was laid off from a pharmaceutical company in February 2024. She discovered District 113 on LinkedIn and enrolled in an advanced language class. A teacher from District 113 referred her to the Job Center of Lake County to hone her job search technique. Alice participated in workshops, resume assistance, and job fairs.
Within a few months, Alice applied for a role as a Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist with Baxter Healthcare Corporation. Her efforts paid off when she was invited for an interview and later received an offer, which she accepted.
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Meet the Board – Board Member Dr. Michael Karner
Dr. Michael Karner is a current Board Member and Regional Superintendent of Schools at the Lake County Regional Office of Education.
In addition to his commitment to the Workforce Development Board, Michael was most recently the Principal at the Regional Safe School and is the current Varsity Football Defensive Coach for Antioch Community High School. He is also a lifelong Lake County resident.
The Lake County Regional Office of Education serves as an advocate for education by providing effective leadership, performing regulatory functions in partnership with the Illinois state board of education as directed by the School Code of Illinois, coordinating and delivering state and local services, and disseminating information to educators, school districts, and the community.
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Partner Spotlight – Senior Community Service Employment Program
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a community service and work-based job training program for low-income, unemployed seniors. Participants gain work experience in a variety of community service activities at non-profit and public facilities, including schools, hospitals, day-care centers, and senior centers.
SCSEP is a key partner of the Lake County Workforce Development Board and is one of several organizations that participate in the Job Center under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
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Launch of Hero / Parent Academy
Rosalind Franklin University, in partnership with Lake County Workforce Development, introduced the Parent Hero Academy to engage and educate more diverse learners and parents as it pertains to Rosalind Franklin’s Medicine and Healthcare Career Pathways.
Workforce Development presented local labor market information and occupational sector data related to the healthcare industry. The workforce board and department continue to invest in the care economy to address local, regional, and state shortages.
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Business Services Team Hosts Mundelein School District for Info Session
The Lake County Workforce Development Business Services Team recently hosted Mundelein School District at the Job Center of Lake County to provide students, educators, and administrators with a comprehensive overview of the manufacturing industry and related career opportunities.
By bridging the gap between education and industry, this collaboration seeks to empower students with the knowledge and tools necessary to explore viable career paths in manufacturing while also supporting the local economy.
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LCWD Staff Visits YCC
Lake County Workforce Development staff recently visited with partners at the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) in Waukegan. YCC mentors and empowers young adults to succeed through education and training in life skills, career pathways, and environmental stewardship.
This collaboration is vital to the continued development of young people in Lake County.
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Lake County Partners Hiring for Two New Positions
Lake County Partners is expanding their team and maximizing their impact on Lake County through two new positions: the Director of Strategic Initiatives and the Director of Development. If you’re passionate about economic development and community building, learn more and apply today.
The Director of Strategic Initiatives position will join the Lake County Partners leadership team. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced professional who thrives on building strong partnerships and driving strategic initiatives that make a lasting impact.
Reporting to the President & CEO, the Director of Development will work collaboratively across the organization to develop and execute investor development (fundraising) strategies, leveraging new and existing relationships of the organization to deliver on annual revenue targets to propel Lake County’s economy forward. Additionally, the Director will be a key liaison with the Board of Governors.
Learn More – Director of Strategic Initiatives
Learn More – Director of Development
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Holiday Office Closure
The Workforce Development offices and the Job Center of Lake County will be closed on Monday, February 17, in observance of the Presidents’ Day holiday.
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Mark Your Calendars! The Job Center of Lake County has a full calendar of helpful and informative events. To view all upcoming Job Center events, including workshops and job fairs, click here.
Upcoming Board/Committee Meetings:
February 12, 2025 – Joint Talent Pipeline & Employer Connections Committee, 9:00 AM CDT
February 19, 2025 – Executive Committee, 8:15 AM CDT
February 27, 2025 – Workforce Development Board, 8:00 AM CDT
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The Lake County Workforce Development Board (WDB) is a workforce development leader in the county, region, and state. WDB collaborates with key partners and stakeholders to lead performance-driven and innovative strategies that develop, align, and integrate the workforce development system.
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Lake County Workforce Development Board
1 N Genesee Street, 1st Floor, Waukegan, IL 60085 | 847-377-2224
Jennifer Serino, jserino@lakecountyil.gov
The Job Center of Lake County is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment by calling TTY 800-526-0844 or 711. To request accommodations, please contact dharris@lakecountyil.gov or 847-377-3423.
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