WIOA Adult Program Formula Grant Summary

The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) received a $58.7 million formula grant from the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult Program (CFDA 17.258) on July 1, 2025. This three-year award through June 30, 2028 supports comprehensive employment and training services for adults age 18 and older, with priority focus on recipients of public assistance, low-income individuals, and those with basic skills deficiencies. Services are delivered primarily through the American Job Center network (one-stop centers) and include basic and individualized career services such as job search assistance, career planning, individual employment plan development, occupational skills training linked to local labor market opportunities, and supportive services including transportation and childcare assistance. Participants utilize Individual Training Accounts to select appropriate training programs from eligible training provider lists, promoting customer choice in workforce development decisions.

DCEO sub-awarded portions of this funding to multiple workforce development partners across Illinois, including the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, Saint Clair County Intergovernmental Grants Department, County of Will, and Business Employment Skills Team Inc. (BEST), as well as training and consulting providers such as Management Training & Consulting Corp (Man-Tra-Con) and Openlands. Sub-grant awards beginning in January 2026 support WIOA innovation initiatives, including training for workforce professionals on DCEO's new case management system and customer-centered design policy procedures, apprenticeship system expansion, and strategic improvements to the national apprenticeship network. Performance outcomes are measured through employment rates in the second and fourth quarters following program completion, participant earnings levels, and credential attainment rates.