Minutes

• Chair Susan Ryan presided over the meeting. The meeting was called to order at 7:35am and a membership quorum was present.

• There was no public comment.

Chair Ryan reported that 35 attendees from major healthcare systems, community organizations, economic development and schools attended the Industry Insights Series on June 18. Discussions highlighted shortages in technical healthcare roles, limited awareness of career pathways from high school, and barriers to placing students under 18 due to insurance issues.

Next steps include developing a visual healthcare career map, advocating state-level alignment on licensing and work-based learning, and exploring the use of unrestricted state funds to establish a local healthcare workforce alliance. Susan will keep the group appraised for any new development.

• Motion to approve by Member Bedalov
• Seconded by Member Potter
• All ayes, MOTION APPROVED

Member Skoda presented the Member Minute. He is the HR Manager and Deputy Site Executive Officer for Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions. Freudenberg is best known for its Vileda and O-Cedar brands amongst others. Peter provided an overview of the company, highlighting its successes and challenges.

Member Schvach presented the fiscal report. The program year ends 7/1/25, so most of the funding has been used. Obligations are on target with 1A at 86%, 1D 74% and 1Y at 75%. Spending is progressing as planned and the 80% obligation requirement will be met. The direct training expenditure for 1A and 1D has reached 51%, exceeding the required 50% threshold.

Demar direct, a direct marketing solution in Lombard, is laying off 86 employees, effective 7/7/25. Positions affected range from entry-level to executive. A Rapid Response workshop was held in English and Spanish and 65 employees attended.

Jamie informed the group that the allocation for Program Year 25 (July 1-June 30) was released by DECO. The total allocation is 6,140,333, up from 5,408,075 in Program Year 24. The youth and adult funding stream slightly decreased but the dislocated worker funding stream increased by 38%. DCEO releases “base funds” from July1-September 30, which is about 20% of the total allocation. The remaining 80% of funds are released October 1. As everyone knows there is significant uncertainty at the federal level and there is the possibility funds could be rescinded. DECO has instructed the local areas to develop contingency plans should there be a recission. They also emphasized the importance of serving more customers with an emphasis on transitional jobs and work-based learning.

Jamie reviewed the expenditures report from 3/1/25 to 3/31/25.  Comnet Group,Inc., an IT training provider, received the largest share of training expenditures amounting to     103K. The occupation with the largest expenditure was IT & business management. There is still a significant number of clients training in CDL.

Training Provider Approvals

 West Professional Center

HVAC & Electrician Technician

HVAC

Electrician Technician

These programs are annual renewals

• Motion to approve by Member Rotondo
• Seconded by Member Keating
• All ayes, MOTION APPROVED

 College of DuPage

Adult ELA/HSE CDL

Adult ELA ICAPS CAN/PCT

These programs are annual renewals

Certified Associate om Project Management

Machine Learning Certificate (AI) Certificate

These are new programs      

Member Bedalov inquired if there is local employer involvement with the AI program. Jamie will inquire.

• Motion to approve by Member Rotondo
• Seconded by Member Bedalov
• Abstention by Deasy, Kuglin Seago
• All ayes, MOTION APPROVED

Many of the approved healthcare programs are above the 10K training cap and at the last meeting the Board expressed interest in possibly increasing the cap for healthcare programs. Jamie presented the Board with data as it relates to the number of clients enrolled in healthcare programs over the 10K training cap and the programs that are above the training cap. For PY 24, there are 15 clients enrolled in programs that exceed the training cap. This number is down from PY23. The average cost of a healthcare related voucher in PY24 $3515.45 down from $4246.62 in PY23.  Jamie also reviewed the healthcare training participant pre and post training wages. Chair Ryan asked if a potential increase could be incremental depending upon the cost of the program and Jamie said yes that is a possibility. The Board indicated they would like to review and consider the data presented before making a decision.

Training Provider Approvals

 Ambria College of Nursing
Associates of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

Practical Nursing Program

These programs are annual renewals

• Motion to approve by Member Wendorf
• Seconded by Member Allen
• All ayes, MOTION APPROVED

Alpha Truck Driving School

        160 Hour CDL Program

200 Hour CDL Program

240 Hour CDL Program

These programs are annual renewals

• Motion to approve by Member Giles
• Seconded by Member Romanowicz
• All ayes, MOTION APPROVED

College of DuPage

             Adult ELA/HSE ICAPS Pharmacy Technician Certificate

CIT Networking Professional

Cybersecurity and Defense AAS Degree (for a specific client)

Pharmacy Technician Certificate

• Motion to approve by Member Wollensak
• Seconded by Member Allen
• Abstention by Deasy, Kuglin Seago
• All ayes, MOTION APPROVED

Member Rotondo gave a presentation highlighting Jel Sert’s operations, products, contributions to the local economy and how they give back to the community.

There was no old business.

Member Schvach explained to the group that she is exploring a program which is offered by ComED called Tools of the Trade. The program is a 6-week pre-apprenticeship program that prepares that prepares 17-19 year olds for entry-level jobs in the skilled trades. She mentioned that WIOA eligibility may affect the ability to fund such students.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:21am followed by a tour of Jel Sert.