November 2024

Although the end of 2024 may be quickly approaching, there is still plenty of time left this year to benefit from the wide range of available workforce development services for job seekers and employers alike. The Job Center continues to offer a robust calendar of training and professional development opportunities, and there is much more to come in the new year.

With the Thanksgiving holiday just around the corner, we want to take this opportunity to share how grateful we are for our staff, colleagues, board members, and many partners. Thank you for all you do for Lake County and beyond!

State of Illinois Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) celebrated National Apprenticeship Week from November 17-23 to highlight Illinois' commitment to building a strong, skilled workforce through innovative apprenticeship programs. The weeklong celebration – which was designated through a proclamation – included resources such as in-person and virtual events along with a social media campaign to celebrate "10 Years of Engagement, Expansion, and Innovation."

Illinois received a significant boost this year with a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor's State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula Fund to deploy Apprenticeship Specialists across the state, providing essential support to employers eager to start or expand apprenticeship programs. The goal is to ensure that businesses of all sizes can benefit from a highly trained workforce tailored to their specific needs. Businesses who wish to start an apprenticeship program can reach out to an apprenticeship specialist at www.ApprenticeshipIllinois.com for no-cost assistance to set up a program.

Meet the Business Services Team

The Business Services Team, guided by the Lake County Workforce Development Board, connects employers with the local workforce. The Business Services Team is distinguished by their data-driven insights, innovative solutions, and unwavering dedication to employers and job seekers alike. Through their transformative services, they foster sustainable growth for businesses throughout Lake County, all while empowering individuals to achieve their career aspirations.

Pictured (Back Row, L to R): Omar Ramirez, Jeffrey Hubert; (Front Row, L to R): Uma Subramanian, Antonio Garcia, Sara Espeland. Not pictured: Rob Linderman.

Pace Launches ReVision Project

To best serve the region’s changing travel habits in the post-pandemic era, Pace is undertaking a major project to reimagine its entire network of services with the goal of building upon Pace’s principles of accessibility, equity, and productivity. Community input is the foundation of ReVision, and Pace wants riders’ voices to be at the center of this network restructuring initiative.

Pace is hoping local communities and partners can help raise awareness of the ReVision project, which will include upcoming opportunities for community and public input. Pace has released a Network Concepts Report, launched an online survey, and will hold a series of open houses to hear directly from the people who rely on these services every day.

Illinois Payrolls Nearly Unchanged, Unemployment Rate Stable in October

According to data released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nonfarm payrolls were down -2,400, while the unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.3 percent in October.

"Illinois' steady payroll job numbers are a testament to the importance of investing in our state's growing economic ecosystem,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. "DCEO is dedicated to continuing our efforts to ensure Illinois remains a place of opportunity and the best place to live, work and do business."

In October, the industry sectors with monthly payroll job increases included: Leisure and Hospitality (+1,400), Manufacturing (+100), and Private Education and Health Services (+100).

Chicagoland Among Top Biopharma Hubs in U.S.

Chicagoland has claimed a spot among the top biopharma hubs in the U.S., based on patent filings, National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, and real estate market data. R&D World’s analysis highlights the region’s prominence in life sciences, which has been boosted by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and the Chicago Biomedical Consortium Hub for Innovative Technology and Entrepreneurship in the Sciences (CITIES).

Article reposted from Lake County Partners.

Job Seeker Success Story - Dalonda

When Dalonda first moved to Lake County in 2018, she secured a job as a Quality Assurance Technician at a local manufacturing plant. However, she decided to leave the job in 2022 to move in with and care for her 100-year-old grandmother.

Dalonda remained busy as she took high school equivalency classes at the Umma Center, graduating in just five months. Through the Job Center, she learned that one of the Job Center partners can fund qualified individuals who are age 55 or better for paid training by placing them into a work experience at local organizations.

Dalonda began her first work experience through the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) in February 2023 and was quickly moved to a position at the Waukegan Township’s Patricia Jones Center. In October 2024, Dalonda was hired directly by Waukegan Township as a Benefits Access Clerk for 20 hours a week.

Dalonda has big plans for the future, including saving money to secure her own apartment, and she has a goal to become a Paraprofessional who specializes in legal aid for seniors.

Click here to learn more about Dalonda’s story.

Meet the Board - Board Member Lisa Johnson

Lisa Johnson is a current Board Member and Executive Director at Independence Center.

Lisa has served at the helm of the Independence Center since 2011, but her tenure with the organization goes back more than 35 years, including roles as Assistant Executive Director and Program Coordinator, among others. In addition to leading the Independence Center, Lisa has also worked as a Program Surveyor for the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF International) since 2006. She is an experienced non-profit leader with specific skills in crisis management, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and evidence-based practices.

Founded in 1987, Independence Center is dedicated to promoting and supporting the mental health and substance use treatment needs in Lake County by helping individuals gain, maintain, and retain the skills needed to remain independent. To date, Independence Center has served more than 4,000 individuals, with the most common disorders being bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, or other psychotic disorders.

Partner Spotlight - Lake County Housing Authority

The Lake County Housing Authority (LCHA) is a public housing agency for qualified low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, with the goal of being a leader in affordable housing by taking an innovative and dynamic approach to developing sustainable communities throughout Lake County.

LCHA 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).

Sign Up for the Career Solutions E-Newsletter

Developed and published by the Job Center of Lake County, the Career Solutions e-newsletter offers valuable information for job seekers, including recruitment events, workshops, Job Center of the Move dates and locations, special initiatives and programs, success stories, and Job Center partner highlights.

Sign up to receive your very own copy today!



Reminder: Job Center on the Move Kiosks Available

In addition to the new Job Center on the Move Kiosk at the Waukegan Public Library, which came online in October of last year, there is also a kiosk at the College of Lake County’s Lakeshore Campus. These kiosks allow individuals to access Job Center resources at diverse locations and times when the Job Center is not regularly open to the public.

Save the Date: University Center Internship & Career Expo

The University Center of Lake County will be hosting an Internship & Career Expo on Thursday, December 5, 2024, from 4 PM - 6 PM at the Grayslake campus.

The event will provide space to conduct on-the-spot interviews. If you are an employer looking to fill an internship or job opening, RSVP today!

Click here to visit our events calendar to learn more about this and other upcoming recruiting events.

Recap: Wellness Unlocked

Earlier this month, Workforce Development partnered with Rosalind Franklin University on the Wellness Unlocked Healthcare Forum and Job Fair.

Hosted at Rosalind Franklin University, 50+ partners and stakeholders attended the forum, and over 70 job seekers registered for the job fair. The panel discussion from area healthcare professionals was led by Cassie Yarbrough, Assistant Vice President of Health Policy & Finance at Illinois Health & Hospital Association. Panelists also included Karen Mahnke, Vice President of Operations & Chief Executive Nurse at Northwestern Medicine; Rachel Loberg, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Advocate Healthcare and Lake County Workforce Development Board Member; Jeana Chammas, HR Business Partner/Consultant at Advocate Condell Healthcare; and Kim Vidlak, HR Director at Northwestern Medicine.

The event was a great success.

Nearly 100 Job Openings with Lake County

Interested in working for the County of Lake? There are currently nearly 100 active job openings across the county’s many different departments, including engineering, technology, law enforcement, and health care.

From professional growth opportunities to abundant career choices and jobs that provide variety and the chance to make a meaningful difference, there are many to consider Lake County as an employer.

Click here to start your job search!



Thanksgiving Holiday Office Closure

The Workforce Development offices and the Job Center of Lake County will be closed on Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29, in observance of Thanksgiving. Normal business hours will resume on Monday, December 2.

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:

December 12, 2024 – Executive Committee, 8:15 AM CST

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.



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.