Cook County Works

News 

5/9/2012 -   Ordinance Introduced to Merge City, County Workforce Development Programs 

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5/2/2012 -   Cook County Works Public  Hearing – From Poet to Cook County Works

On April 18, 2012, Karin Norington-Reaves, Director of Cook County Works, made a presentation at  a public hearing, called and chaired by Workforce, Job Development and Training Opportunities  Committee Chairman Earlean Collins of the Cook County Board of Commissioners.  This  presentation, taken directly from the director’s report to the Commissioners entitled “A Look  Back:  P.O.E.T. to Cook County Works”, recounts the transition from the organization previously  known as the President’s Office of Employment Training (POET) to the present Cook County Works  (CCW).  

View video of hearing:

Prior to the transition to Cook County Works, the former POET had been put on high-risk status with the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). Director Norington-Reaves’ report (the entirety of which can be found on the Cook County Works website) highlighted no less than 22 accomplishments that marked the transition process. Most notable among the CCW deliverables included are: the $25 million that had to be spent or risk being returned to the State in less than 6 months, highlighted accomplishments in a number of areas: Administration, Fiscal, Program and Communications.

Public comments were effusive with positives about the transition. Workforce Investment Board members, past and present, spoke of the newly-streamlined and more accountable Board; service providers commented on the greater responsiveness and level of assistance they are now receiving; and, Patrick Campbell, Regional Workforce Manager in the Office of Employment and Training for DCEO, spoke of the improved relationship with Cook County Works. Director Norington-Reaves recognized greater challenges lay ahead but expressed confidence that her leadership team was ready to address future needs.

5/1/2012 - Mayor Emanuel, President Preckwinkle Announce Summer Jobs and Activities to Keep Chicago Youth Safe this Summer.   

New Website Details Jobs and Programs Offered by City, Cook County, Sister Agencies and Non-Profits.   Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle announce One Summer Chicago, a partnership with Cook County, City departments and sister agencies, community groups and non-profits, will provide summer jobs and educational and recreational opportunities to keep youth safe this summer.  Click here for more details on One Summer Chicago

5/1/2012 -     May Job Information

5/1/2012 -     May Newsletter

5/1/2012 -     Illinois workNet(R) Individual's Monthly Newsletter

***Latest blogs from the Bureau of Economic Development - includes blogs about jobs, job fairs, and workforce development

 Karin Norington-Reaves, Director Cook County Works, discusses:
Using data to Drive Innovation and Workforce Development. Presented and moderated by: Chapin Hall, University of Chicago
 

3/6/2012 - Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle introduced former IL Governor Jim Thompson as the 2012 Jobs for Youth Chicago "Legacy" Honoree.  Click here to view photos, courtesy of Ashley Venerable, Errol Dunlap Photography.

Notices 

The Cook County Workforce Investment Board Executive Committee will hold its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, May 10, 2012

8:00 a.m. at the following location:
Triton College
2000 Fifth Avenue, Room B-210
River Grove, IL
Agenda

2012 Workforce Meeting Schedule

This calendar is provided notwithstanding the consolidation planning taking place with the Cook County and Chicago Workforce Boards.

Commit to Cook

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle was joined by Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin and representatives of the Chicago Auto Show  to launch the “Commit to Cook” campaign encouraging residents to support Cook County businesses while engaging the business community to spur economic development. President Preckwinkle laid out an ambitious goal for the “Commit to Cook” campaign: 2,500 new jobs in 2012.   Please visit the website at: www.CommitToCook.com

Success Stories

Cook County Works clients are proud of their success.  Read their stories.

Click here for a link full of  individual success stories.

Financial Literacy Workshops

New Workshops Scheduled in May
Cook County Works and Bank of America Partnership

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, together with Bank of America President Tim Maloney and Cook County Works Director Karin Norington-Reaves, teamed to highlight their ongoing collaboration providing unemployed and underemployed residents the tools they need to find work and develop critical need skills in this difficult economy. New workshops, provided through the County’s One-Stop Employment Training Centers will be available to the public as noted in our table.

Cook County Works Team

It takes a team for everything to get done at Cook County Works.

Click here to meet a few of our key players.