First-ever Governor’s Summit showcases best practices, urges expansion

PEORIA — Hundreds of business and workforce leaders met today with Gov. Bruce Rauner, Illinois education officials and state agency representatives for a first-ever Governor’s Summit highlighting work-based learning initiatives statewide.

Rauner hosted the summit, entitled WORK LEARN GROW: Pathways to the Jobs of Illinois’ Future, at Illinois Central College in East Peoria. The Greater Peoria area was among communities featured for its successful initiatives.

“Internship, apprenticeship and other work-based learning programs provide Illinoisans with the hands-on training that leads to greater economic security and prosperity for individuals, and a steady flow of skilled, ready workers for businesses,” Rauner said. “The importance of efforts on this front cannot be overemphasized. I applaud the leaders whose successful programs are being featured today, and I implore everyone to continue to expand this great work.”

The summit is one result of a $80,000 grant awarded to Illinois by the National Governors Association to expand work-based learning programs. Throughout the day, successful programs were highlighted, including the apprenticeship program established by Aon and City Colleges of Chicago and the collaborative business and educational initiative to establish a sustainable talent pipeline in Greater Peoria.

In addition to featuring the great work already under way, a new website was launched during today’s summit to provide K-12, higher education and adult learners and employers with streamlined information and resources, https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/wlg/Pages/default.aspx.

Deputy Gov. Leslie Munger, recently named interim director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, said today’s summit reflected the forward thinking that Illinois needs to grow and prosper.

“It is through programs like these that we will build a pipeline of talent for the jobs of the future,” she said. “This is best accomplished through early education and supporting Illinois businesses.”

Martin Simon of the National Governors Association also applauded today’s summit and Illinois’ ongoing work-based learning efforts.

“Through our policy academy on scaling work-based learning, the National Governors Association is supporting states, including Illinois, in expanding high-quality, work-based learning programs such as apprenticeships and internships,” said Simon, who is interim director of the NGA’s Center for Best Practices Economic Opportunity Division. “By integrating work-based learning into the state’s talent pipeline systems, Illinois can establish clear career pathways for young people and develop a workforce with the skills and credentials to meet the needs of the state’s economy today and into the future.”

Today’s gathering was a joint effort of the governor’s education team and the DCEO, in addition to several other state agencies, external partners and the Governor’s Cabinet on Children and Youth’s Workforce Readiness through Apprenticeships & Pathways (WRAP) Committee.

INA, Ill.  – Reserve your seat today for Rend Lake College’s third Glo Bingo event. Locals are invited to play at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16 at the RLC Rec, located on the Ina campus, to raise funds for the campus’ Learning Resource Center (LRC).

When doors open at 5:30 p.m., Glo Bingo tickets will cost $25, which includes six bingo cards, a glow hat, and a glow dabber. Additional bingo cards are available for purchase for $5 per six cards. Attendees who purchase tickets early can do so for a discounted rate of $20.

Competitors will have the chance to win over $1,000 in cash prizes. Additionally, there will be a 50/50 raffle, silent auction, and early bird and middle bird raffle game cards available at the door. Concessions will also be sold throughout the evening.

Seats for the event are limited. Glo Bingo participants must be over the age of 18. No outside food or beverages are allowed. The LRC will also be selling 2019 St. Louis Cardinals calendars during the event.

For more information or to purchase advance tickets, contact the LRC at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1308. For groups interested in participating, tables can be reserved by calling ahead for advance ticket purchases. The event is sponsored by the RLC Foundation.

CHICAGO — Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti today hosted the State of Illinois Filipino American History Month celebration together with the Illinois Bicentennial Commission and the Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines in Chicago.

Filipino Americans were the third-largest Asian heritage group in the United States as of 2015. The Chicago metro area is home to more 137,000 Filipino Americans, according to Pew Research data.

“Filipino History Month is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the contributions Filipino Americans have made to our state and country, including the Filipino veterans of WWII,” Sanguinetti said. “It is a privilege – especially during our year-long Illinois Bicentennial celebration — to present leadership and service awards to three Filipino American leaders who have positively impacted Illinois and are helping to build a better future for our state.”

During the ceremony, Sanguinetti presented awards for outstanding service and leadership to Chicago Police Department 24^th District Sergeant Wilfredo Santos Lapitan, the Philippine American Cultural Foundation, and U.S. Army veteran Edward M. Brotonel.

“It is an honor for the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago to join in the celebration of the State of Illinois’ 200^th anniversary and the commemoration of the Filipino-American History Month (FAHM) in October,” said Consul General Dr. Gina Jamoralin. “We appreciate the efforts of the Office of Governor Rauner to recognize the significant contributions of the Filipino-American community in the State of Illinois.”