Committee on Workforce Development
Chicago City Council
Labor
Politics
Chicago, IL 60602 (Directions)
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Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Chicago - IL Documenters Team
Note-taking by
Maggie Macpherson
Pandemic workforce development, Fair Work Week Ordinance
Live reporting by
Christian Gentry
Pandemic workforce development, Fair Work Week Ordinance
Chris Gentry
@TheChrisGentry_
Hi, I’ll be live-tweeting today's Committee on Workforce Development Meeting, starting at 10:00am for #CHIdocumenters @CHIdocumenters
09:47 AM May 11, 2021 CDT
We have a pretty sparse agenda today, but will be going over reopening plans and resources https://t.co/kjfXdiRlYH
Ald. Garza is the chair of this committee from the 10th ward, if you want to follow along, the video is not yet available on Legistar, but can be seen livestream.com/accounts/28669…
Most are present, Alderman Taliaferro is out. Public comment is up next.
Madeline May from the Black Heros Matter organization is the only speaker. blackheroesmatter.org
Madeline May from the Black Heros Matter organization is the only speaker. blackheroesmatter.org
She thanks the alderfolks who supported the changing of Lake Shore Drive to Jean Baptiste Du Sable. She then critiques any of the alderfolks who voted against the change, talking about how those votes were part of "ingrained racism"
First up is the vote on the measure R2021-445 for a hearing to publicize resources available to employers, workers, and labor organization with reopening businesses. It is proposed and passed.
Alderwoman Garza opens with a statement, talking about the struggle of businesses. Calls this the start of a "conversation between businesses and workers to come out of this pandemic stronger than ever"
Alderman Lopez adds an opening comment. He opens by thanking UNITE HERE, for their work to help hotel workers, and other workers effected by the shutdown
The first speaker is Alberto Ortega Director of Workforce Strategy & Business Engagement from the City of Chicago.
He says the unemployment rate of the city hovers around 9%. He talks about businesses experiencing obstacles to reopening.
He says the unemployment rate of the city hovers around 9%. He talks about businesses experiencing obstacles to reopening.
Those obstacles he calls out, generous unemployment benefits, lack of access to childcare, and lack of access to the vaccine.
Next up, is Karen Norrington Reeves. The CEO of The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership
This is the dedicated Federal Administrative Agency for federal workforce development aid. This used to be a city function, and is now a non-profit. They have 91 delegate agencies, and 100 service locations.
The Partnership was one of the larger pandemic job response programs.
They worked to provide federal funding to rapid response programs, essential businesses and virtual transition for employers.
They worked to provide federal funding to rapid response programs, essential businesses and virtual transition for employers.
They worked with employer support, community vaccine outreach, and COVID response. They developed a contract tracing core, and provided staff to support vaccine sites. (Though contract tracing has been a struggle for the city chicago.suntimes.com/2020/12/4/2215…)
Here is a run down of the Partnerships Pandemic Response https://t.co/rqZmTNKIp1
Their primary work is through employer support, and through fundraising for workforce development. https://t.co/gjLERagaMy
She focuses on how the jobs the Partnership is providing are high quality jobs,
$14.45/Hr for youth workers
and 18$/Hr for older workers
$14.45/Hr for youth workers
and 18$/Hr for older workers
Around 70,000 students are in the city college system, at 7 locations.
He talks about how the majority of the students in city colleges are near the poverty line. Prior to the pandemic nearly 60% of the students were food or housing insecure.
He talks about how the majority of the students in city colleges are near the poverty line. Prior to the pandemic nearly 60% of the students were food or housing insecure.
In the coming year City Colleges plans to expand virtual programming. They also plan to bring employers into the college system to allow for job transition quicker.
He highlights programs with community partnerships to provide free college to recently incarcerated individuals, and child care partnerships to support working families.
He talks about city colleges working with equity programs to provide free training in fields like, cannabis operations, cybersecurity, automotive, etc.
Following the pandemic, they are increasing scholarships heavily to their programs, and are providing financial incentives from $200-$900 for program completion, and have not raised tuition in 5 years.
This ends the testimony of Mr. Salgado. Ald. Garza asks about the cannabis operations certificate. Mr Salgado comments that their is a waitlist for that program.
Ald Rodriguez asks about the stars program. If there is a higher degree completion rate, if there is a technology divide, and how transfer students fare.
Mr. Salgado, talks about how stars students have double the graduation rate, and he references the free community college program that President Biden has proposed.
Mr Salgado talks about how prior to the pandemic in order to address the technology gap, the city already had a backstock of student technology. So when the shutdown occurred they were able to rapidly get needed technology to students.
Alderman Lopez, asks what City College is doing for homeless students
Mr Salgado, talks about the housing challenges, which are pretty severe.
He talks about connecting students to existing resources, as well as working with housing contractors to possibly create a form of campus housing.
He talks about connecting students to existing resources, as well as working with housing contractors to possibly create a form of campus housing.
He also touches on ex-offenders. He talks about the workforce equity grants which give them short-term programs to get a foothold into the workforce. He also talks about Kennedy King College, a specific long term program around IT development for returning citizens.
Jen Mason, Vice Chancellor for Legistlative Affiars for City Colleges, comments on the $1.2 Million from the violence prevention fund to work with ex-offenders. Included in this is a cannabis program specifically for ex-offenders.
Next up is Department of Family and Social Services with Mark Sanders.
With a budget of over 500 Million Dollars they are the primary funder of social services in the city https://t.co/3ypiy68tdH
Mr Sanford says that their Workforce Services only accounts for $12 million of their funding. This supports reentry programs, house-less job support programs, and those at most risk
During the pandemic, the job preparation and placement programs added around 1500 clients. Not drastically beneath their previous levels.
The DFFS used care funding to expand their support programs. They added substance abuse, mental health counseling, housing support services, and legal advocacy services to their centers.
DFSS also invested in RiseKit to help increase residents access to job training and COVID-19 employment.
That ends Mark Sanfords presentation. Next up to the Mayors Office for People with Disabilities with Senior Police Advisor Laurie Dittman. However technology issues meant that we moved to, Adrian Esquivel from the Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance.
The organizations primary functions are to
1. Educate workers about rights in the labor force
2. Develop communication systems between employers, job seekers, and unions,
3. Promote job quality, schedule stability and economic security.
1. Educate workers about rights in the labor force
2. Develop communication systems between employers, job seekers, and unions,
3. Promote job quality, schedule stability and economic security.
Alberto Ortega, asks about how to institutionalize communication, and looks for examples.
Adrian talks about sending frontline workers to a workers rights training.
Adrian talks about sending frontline workers to a workers rights training.
Adrian talks about finding and sharing information around bad actors in the work force.
Ald. Garza, asks if information around bad actors could be shared with alderfolks.
Adrian says that Raise the Floor is the organization with the information
Ald. Garza, asks if information around bad actors could be shared with alderfolks.
Adrian says that Raise the Floor is the organization with the information
We are back to Laurie Dittman! She opens by talking about the office and how Work Incentive Planning and Assistance program.
She talks about how her office provides benefits counseling, how work incentives work, and connecting people with disabilities with employment network agencies
Chicago Minimum Wage Ordinance exempts folks on disabilities. The Mayors office is committed to eliminating the Disability Exemption. If a disability exemption is issued, folks can be paid as low as 1$/hr
The Office of People with Disabilities is working on creating an online clearing house to connect folks with disabilities and employers. This will be an online resource released in the next year.
Laurie is asked by Alberto Ortega how many businesses are paying folks below minimum wage. She responds that around a dozen businesses have certificates.
Ald. Lopez asks if subsidized wages might encourage employment.
Laurie Dittman, says that she is open to those conversations and it might encourage competition to employ folks with disabilities.
Laurie Dittman, says that she is open to those conversations and it might encourage competition to employ folks with disabilities.
Andy Fox, the director of the Office of Labor Standards, is up next!
The Office of Labor Standards, came out of the Committee of Workforce Development a few years ago.
The Office of Labor Standards has a basic tool kit talking about sick leave, minimum wage, scheduling laws, retaliation laws, and vaccine regulations
Andy now goes over the basic workers rights in the city.
1. Minimum wage which is advancing on a rolling rate.
2. Guarantees accrual of sick leave.
3. Prohibits retaliation and supports workers in those cases.
4. Workers with Office of Labor Standards to handle complaints
1. Minimum wage which is advancing on a rolling rate.
2. Guarantees accrual of sick leave.
3. Prohibits retaliation and supports workers in those cases.
4. Workers with Office of Labor Standards to handle complaints
He talks about how after we get to 15$, this will be tied to inflation https://t.co/9B8HDGX7aJ
He talks about the struggles of worker retaliation for taking COVID based sick leave.
He then expands to talking about the fair Workweek ordinance. This only applies to very specific organizations.
chicago.gov/city/en/depts/… https://t.co/8eYnWVAbUr
chicago.gov/city/en/depts/… https://t.co/8eYnWVAbUr
Here is a good breakdown of who the Fair Workweek ordinance applies to. https://t.co/lzerWvQn0D
He then talks about the vaccine related ordinances.
1. Any employer that requires their workers to get vaccinated, must compensate them for up to 4 hours per dose to get the vaccine.
2. No one can be retaliated against for staying at home due to symptoms
1. Any employer that requires their workers to get vaccinated, must compensate them for up to 4 hours per dose to get the vaccine.
2. No one can be retaliated against for staying at home due to symptoms
the Office of Labor Standards receives complaints via email, by calling 311, or using the 311 app.
With that we move to the second panel! While the first panel focused on workers, this panel focuses more on employers.
The first speaker is Michael Jacobson, the CEO of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association.
Michael says that the reliance on meetings/conventions for the hotel market makes Chicago one of the worst markets in the country. He does not anticipate a full recovery till 2024. In 2020 occupancy was around 5%, now it is in the mid 20%. Normal levels are in the 70%
Michael talks about the work to support employees through
1. Maintaining healthcare
2. Organizing food drives
3. Setting safety standards along with UNITE here
4. Working with the city to support quarantine.
1. Maintaining healthcare
2. Organizing food drives
3. Setting safety standards along with UNITE here
4. Working with the city to support quarantine.
He speaks of the staffing issues that his industry is facing.
He says that employees are moving to states with more open states and occupancy rates.
He says that most hotel wages in the city pay at least 18$/hr, thus to him, wages are not the issue
He says that employees are moving to states with more open states and occupancy rates.
He says that most hotel wages in the city pay at least 18$/hr, thus to him, wages are not the issue
He calls for the council to oppose the right to return to work ordinance. This ordinance would require that employees be offered their jobs back prior to new jobs being issued.
He says that bill would mean that each position would take months to hire for
He says that bill would mean that each position would take months to hire for
He calls for bridge funding to help support reopening of hotels and hospitality.
He says that the IHLA will be launching a career center to help promote hospitality industry in Chicago and will be working with the Chicago Cook County Partnership
He says that the IHLA will be launching a career center to help promote hospitality industry in Chicago and will be working with the Chicago Cook County Partnership
Ald Garza asks if the property taxes will cause hotels to close forever.
Michael talks about the closing of the Palmer House and the issues with banks being more agressive with mortage payments
Michael talks about the closing of the Palmer House and the issues with banks being more agressive with mortage payments
According to Michael Currently 15 hotels across the city are closed
Next up is Sam Toia head of the Illinois Restraunt Association
He says they estimate around 5000 establishments may close permanently.
He says that around 100,000 folks were laid off.
He says they estimate around 5000 establishments may close permanently.
He says that around 100,000 folks were laid off.
He says that right now there are over 10,000 jobs in the city alone. According to Sam nearly 70% of members have open jobs that they are struggling to hire for.
He calls for more support to restaurants, calls for federal immigration reform, and more city support
Next up is Tanya Dawood from the Illinois Retail Merchants Association.
She is saying that there are hiring struggles for entry and mid level management across the board
She is saying that there are hiring struggles for entry and mid level management across the board
In grocery there is a desperate need for butchers and cashiers, in fitness there is a need for personal trainers and class instructors
Dawood talks about the struggles to vaccinate workers, with around 50-60% having at least 1 dose.
She says that workers are not convinced that workplaces are safe places to be.
She says that workers are not convinced that workplaces are safe places to be.
Specifically she sites a massive drop in women applying for work as childcare centers remain closed, and schools are not regular
She talks about the impact of the minimum wage ordinance, as companies that used to offer 2-3$ above the minimum wage now lost their competitive advantage. She says that this is compressing mid tier wages.
She also says that she is seeing scheduling issues as many companies are relying on skeleton crews which creates issues with the fair scheduling ordinance.
She also talks about opportunities. She talks about the essential worker scholarships in business, education, IT, and healthcare.
She talks about the need for more IT workers, but the lack of diverse candidates remaining an issue.
She talks about the need for more IT workers, but the lack of diverse candidates remaining an issue.
She talks about the 3 B's
Better pay
Better benefits
Bonuses
All of which are going up to do competition
Better pay
Better benefits
Bonuses
All of which are going up to do competition
Alderman Sposato,
He says that the lack of restaurant workers are an issue. That many of these establishments are paying a premium for workers or are dropping their hours.
He asks if this is common experience and what can we do to get workers to come back.
He says that the lack of restaurant workers are an issue. That many of these establishments are paying a premium for workers or are dropping their hours.
He asks if this is common experience and what can we do to get workers to come back.
He says that the ILRA is working to pair folks that are looking for jobs with positions, and to need to expand childcare and immigration reform.
^this was Sam of the ILRA
Michael of the ILHA says that some hotels are working at a 70% capacity limit due to a lack of cleaners, bellhops, checkin staff
Michael of the ILHA says that some hotels are working at a 70% capacity limit due to a lack of cleaners, bellhops, checkin staff
Tanya steps in saying that this is a workers market, and that this is a great time to be a worker and a great time to return to the workforce to take a part in those benefits.
Ald. Lopez says that the childcare issue is something that the city might be able to address to reengage our female workers that are overwhelmingly taking the brunt of the childcare load.
He asks CFSS about free/almost free chlidcare in communities and what that looks like.
He asks CFSS about free/almost free chlidcare in communities and what that looks like.
Mark Sanford says that most of the centers for childcare lost funding in the mayors 2019 budget. He says that as to if the program can be expanded, that would be a question for the childcare program director who is not on the call.
Ald Lopez says that we clearly need childcare, and asks how much we spend on childcare right now, and what COVID money will go to childcare
Alisa Rodriguez from CFSS says that she will get information on those slots and funding to the committee.
Alisa Rodriguez from CFSS says that she will get information on those slots and funding to the committee.
Ald Lopez says that since "CPS has locked out 70% of their kids" that we need options for childcare while CPS figures out their plan for next year.
He talks about the need to "open the floodgates quickly" in order to jump start the economy.
Ald. Sposato asks why the childcare is an issue of all a sudden. He claims this was not an issue a year ago.
Ald Garza says that the issue comes out of parents staying home to take care of their kids.
Karin Norrington-Reaves says that daycares were some of the most effected businesses during the pandemic. She says that almost no one says they "Just want to stay home"
Karin Norrington-Reaves says that daycares were some of the most effected businesses during the pandemic. She says that almost no one says they "Just want to stay home"
Next up is Calumet Area Industrial Commission Talent Development Director Craig Schmidt
He says that his manufacturers are seeing a drastic need for employment.
He says that his manufacturers are seeing a drastic need for employment.
He talks about Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership that will help train folks into positions that are underemployed or employed through the use of apprenticeship grants, and subsidized wages.
He says they have the funding to get them into good paying jobs, the issue is finding folks.
Ald Garza asks what the alderman can do to get folks into their agencies.
Craig says that the new grant on manufacturing training needs more outreach and alderman can help with that
Craig says that the new grant on manufacturing training needs more outreach and alderman can help with that
She talks about the need to have more folks enter the field, but also the need to level the playing field to turn these jobs into life long careers.
She talks about the Technical Opportunities Program focusing on union construction apprenticeship program which is a free 12 week Pre-Apprenticeship Program for women
She talks about how their org helps to place folks into jobs. She talks about the struggle for women in these positions as women tend to be the "last hired, first fired"
She calls on the city to work with them as public projects have an interest ina more diverse workforce
She calls on the city to work with them as public projects have an interest ina more diverse workforce
Ald. Lopez asks if the Women in Trades organization is a partner organization with the city?
Jayne says that they are through the CFFS, but that they want a stronger focus through city hiring.
Jayne says that they are through the CFFS, but that they want a stronger focus through city hiring.
Alberto Ortega clarifies than Chicago Women in Trades is part of an assist agency network.
An assist agency helps to supply talent for the cities projects.
An assist agency helps to supply talent for the cities projects.
Next up is Hire 360.
Jay Rowell Executive Director for the organization is speaking.
Jay Rowell Executive Director for the organization is speaking.
Hire 360 is a fairly new organization. It came out of the Chicagoland General Contractors goal to diversify the workforce and to bring in a younger labor force.
This effort combined with a mayoral project and a public sector table created Hire360
Jay talks about their main pillars. The first is workforce development.
He said they gathered around 7000 interested folks. Of these they are working with 700 to bring those candidates into the workforce.
He said they gathered around 7000 interested folks. Of these they are working with 700 to bring those candidates into the workforce.
They help this program through grants to support folks with rent/supplies and transportation along with academic support on entrance exams.
He talks about working with UNITE HERE to run a cohort of line cook training programs.
He says that all of this comes with a robust reporting program
He says that all of this comes with a robust reporting program
The next major pillar is youth development to work with local schools to engage youth workers. This program is just now launching.
Next up he talks about supporting diverse contractors. He says that they will pay for bonding, help with compliance tools and support work force developments.
He also talks about working with supply chains, he says Hire 360 is working to diversify the supply chain and is supporting developing the first black owned paint company among others.
Ald Garza asks for the data by ward of program participants
Jay Rowell says that he will send it to the alderman
Jay Rowell says that he will send it to the alderman
Ald Lopez talks about what issues his candidates are facing.
Jay Rowell says that the barrier reduction fund is helpful in this case. He says that rent and tool cost are a big barrier right now
Jay Rowell says that the barrier reduction fund is helpful in this case. He says that rent and tool cost are a big barrier right now
Ald. Lopez asks if the city supports the barrier reduction fund
Jay Rowell says that right now it is al privately funded.
Jay Rowell says that right now it is al privately funded.
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