Innovation Grants for Expanding Employment Opportunities for Illinois Veterans

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is working with state agency partners in conducting innovative pilot projects to expand education, training, and employment opportunities for Illinois veterans. DCEO is seeking innovative projects to address one or more of the following priorities:

• Expanding awareness and commitment of Illinois employers to hire Illinois veterans
• General or cluster-based bridge programs (e.g., healthcare) to improve access to and success in postsecondary education and training programs supported by veterans education benefits and other federal and state-funded programs. Priority will be given to programs that prepare veterans to enter high-demand and high-skill jobs.
• Targeted workforce development programs to meet the basic skills, education, training and employment needs of service-connected disabled veterans and other veterans who have significant and multiple barriers to employment. Priority will be given to programs that prepare veterans to enter career pathways leading to high-demand and high-skill jobs.

DCEO will expand and revise these priorities based on the recommendations of the Illinois Workforce Investment Board's Veterans Task Force.

Industry organizations, local workforce investment areas, community colleges, community-based non-profit organizations, and other qualified organizations interested in seeking innovation grant funds should contact Michael Baker at 217-558-6423.