Kane County Jobs Committee Met March 12.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call to Order
Chairman Weber called the meeting to order at 10:14 a.m.
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Ron Ford | Kane County | Co-Chair | Present | |
| Steve Weber | Kane County | Co-Chair | Present | |
| Mark Davoust | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Mo Iqbal | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Tom Koppie | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Anita Lewis | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Myrna Molina | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Corinne M. Pierog | Kane County | Ex-Officio County Board Chair | Absent | |
| Kenneth C. Shepro | Kane County | Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair | Present |
2. Approval of Minutes: February 19, 2021
| RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [7 TO 0]
MOVER: Steve Weber, Co-Chair SECONDER: Myrna Molina, Board Member AYES: Ron Ford, Steve Weber, Mark Davoust, Mo Iqbal, Tom Koppie, Anita Lewis, Myrna Molina ABSENT: Corinne M. Pierog |
Referencing a presentation, Gonzalez spoke on the two WIOA grants, expenditure reports and financial obligations. She reported the grant agreement is nearing finalization. Scott Berger provided an update on the lifespan of grants and benchmarks of obligations. He reported on commitments for training and outreach. He spoke on services and upcoming contracts to meet all requirements of the program.
4. Comments by Co-Chair
Co-Chair Weber thanked the Dev. Board on the benchmark reports. Co-Chair Ford discussed the service industry and the challenges of funding, training and finding employees for jobs.
5. Jobs Committee Priorities
A. Presentation - Kane County Sheriff's Office - Judy Dawson, Director of Administration
Referencing a presentation, Judy Dawson Dir. of Admin. for the Sheriff's Office, discussed changes that were made due to Covid. She reported that the pre-Covid focus for detainees was on employment, education and entrepreneurship. She discussed training programs that were available, such as forklift training and certification programs. Dawson discussed manufacturing careers and internships for detainees, with the opportunity to become hired on after the program. She stated that there were GED programs available through Waubonsee Community College and Elgin Community College, which can be continued after detainees are released. Dawson discussed assistance with resumes, interview training, hiring events and job fairs. She detailed work performed through the internship program which includes moral recognition training. Dawson listed several accomplishments for FY19.
Dawson reported on the changes after Covid such as virtual hiring events and community boards. She discussed the collaboration with RiseKit for background friendly job listings. She spoke on assistance with navigation of the job boards. Dawson stated a broader focus is on community outreach and offering training programs to people outside of the jail. She recognized Joseph Garcia as an instructor, and his assistance to find grants to help support these programs. She stated there was a benefactor that provided financial assistance in order to make classes more affordable. Dawson discussed partnership with an entrepreneur boot camp which helped individuals set up their own businesses and other opportunities for detainees once they are released. She listed the FY21 accomplishments and referenced a decrease in program participation due to the Covid pandemic. Dawson answered questions from the committee.
Sheriff Ron Hain recognized Judy Dawson and all of her hard work. He spoke on the need for job placement after reform programs.
B. Presentation - Summary of Kane County Export Matching Grant Program
Staff Toth spoke on the completion of the Metro Chicago Exports Grant Program. He discussed the Kane County Matching Grant Program and the ways to incentivize businesses to apply. He talked about the success of the program. Toth detailed the number of grants awarded and the amount of funding that was distributed. Toth discussed several different manufacturing companies and products that come from Kane County. He stated that when the program was incentivized it created jobs, interest and revenue. He stated several benefits of the program and opened opportunities to support other grant programs.
C. Staff Updates for Kane County Economic Development Initiatives
Staff Toth provided staff updates. He stated that the Federal Reserve has not released new unemployment numbers since December. Toth discussed unemployment and underemployment rates. He reported several pandemic related reasons people are not currently looking for jobs. Toth spoke on challenges employers face related to Covid and the movement to remote positions and onboarding. He detailed jobs that have continued to show growth and jobs that have shown a decrease since the pandemic. Toth talked about employers focus on skills and quality of applicants. He noted the challenge will be long unemployment gaps.
6. New Business
None.
7. Public Comment
None.
8. Reports Placed on File
| RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [7 TO 0]
MOVER: Mark Davoust, Board Member SECONDER: Steve Weber, Co-Chair AYES: Ron Ford, Steve Weber, Mark Davoust, Mo Iqbal, Tom Koppie, Anita Lewis, Myrna Molina |
None.
10. Adjournment
| RESULT: APPROVED WITH VOICE VOTE [7 TO 0]
MOVER: Steve Weber, Co-Chair SECONDER: Mo Iqbal, Board Member AYES: Ron Ford, Steve Weber, Mark Davoust, Mo Iqbal, Tom Koppie, Anita Lewis, Myrna Molina |
http://kanecountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=2921&Inline=True
Alerts Sign-up