SJ0065 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0065 LRB095 12498 MJR 37685 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Illinois economy is transforming; despite having the nation's fifth largest state economy, the State ranked only 35th in economic growth over the last 15 years; and

WHEREAS, Illinois' economic growth is lagging because we are losing good jobs; between 1990 and 2005, the number of manufacturing jobs in Illinois declined by 24.3%, or 222,500; during this same period, 34% of job growth occurred in education, health services, and hospitality, sectors that currently pay, on average, 29% less than manufacturing jobs; adjusted for inflation, median wages have declined leaving families with the same income they had in 1989; nearly 685,000 working Illinoisans earn less than the living wage for a single adult - $17,950 annually; and

WHEREAS, 40% of new job growth will be in mid- to high-wage sectors; manufacturers will continue to be a major employer, but most of these jobs will require increasingly sophisticated levels of skill; in fact, over 35% of Illinois' new jobs will require an associate degree or higher and 71% of the highest wage jobs will require a post-secondary degree; and

WHEREAS, To attract high wage jobs, Illinois will need high-skilled workers; but, at the same time that our economy demands skilled workers in order to remain competitive and thrive, federal funds for workforce development continue to shrink, after adjusting for inflation; and

WHEREAS, It is time for Illinois to make a new commitment; about 594,000 twenty-five to fifty-four year olds have no high school diploma or equivalent; 60% of these working age individuals are without an associate degree or higher; just 35% of Illinois' young adults are enrolled in postsecondary education; over the next 15 years, 33% of the State's labor force will retire and the fastest growing segments of our population who must replace them have generally lower education levels; and

WHEREAS, Strong workforce development is a key driver of long-term business retention and growth; additionally, Illinois must use its economic development policies strategically targeting disadvantage areas to foster high-wage job creation and to leverage infrastructure investments; these are the tools that can ensure Illinois' families, businesses, and communities enjoy a prosperous future; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that, to compete successfully in a global economy and end poverty, Illinois needs an integrated economic and workforce development policy that works for everyone and that includes producing skilled workers in strong businesses with good jobs that foster thriving communities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this new policy must provide lasting value to Illinois' 10 economic regions and offer sustainable programming in urbanized and rural communities throughout the State that allows for the flexibility necessary to address regional differences in the economy, business climate and the workforce; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the General Assembly create, upon adoption of this resolution, a bipartisan task force, whose work shall endeavor to fulfill the following goals:

(1) Ensure Illinoisans develop the skills businesses demand in a modern economy;

(2) Create career paths and job opportunities for all working-age Illinoisans, from the least skilled and most disadvantaged to middle income workers whose skills have become obsolete;

(3) Invest resources in the capital and human infrastructure needed to attract and retain "high road" employers that provide quality jobs, wages, and benefits;

(4) Encourage entrepreneurship, small business growth, technology transfers from Illinois' higher education system, and other economic/workforce development innovation in all communities across Illinois to grow competitive State businesses; and

(5) Support economic and workforce development that is environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this task force shall conduct a thorough discovery process that will include identification of effective policies and programs; conduct public hearings; invite expert testimony and shall furnish a report of its findings whereupon clear and concise information of programs and policies will be made available to the public throughout Illinois; new legislation or policy changes developed during the course of the deliberations of the task force shall be introduced at the earliest possible moment; hearings shall be held within 6 months of the first meeting of the task force and the report shall be issued within 12 months of the meeting and not later than September 30, 2008 to the Governor and the General Assembly; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the requirement for the reporting to the General Assembly shall be satisfied by filing copies of the report with the Speaker, the Minority Leader, and the Clerk of the House of Representatives, and the President, the Minority Leader, and the Secretary of the Senate, and the Legislative Research Unit, as required by Section 3.1 of the General Assembly Organization Act, and filing additional copies with the State Government Report Distribution Center for the General Assembly as required under paragraph (t) of Section 7 of the State Library Act; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the task force shall have the following members: 16 voting members, as follows: 4 members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, 4 members of the Senate appointed by the Senate Minority Leader, 4 members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and 4 members of the House of Representatives appointed by the House Minority Leader; and be it further

RESOLVED, That all actions of the task force require the affirmative vote of at least 9 voting members; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the following persons shall serve without compensation as ex-officio, non-voting members of the task force:

(A) the Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, or his or her designee;

(B) the Director of the Department of Employment Security, or his or her designee;

(C) the Secretary of the Department of Human Services, or his or her designee;

(D) the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, or his or her designee;

(E) the Secretary of the Department of Labor, or his or her designee;

(F) the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, or his or her designee;

(G) the Director of the Illinois Community College Board, or his or her designee; and

(H) the Director of the Department of Corrections; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the departments of State government and the Illinois Community College Board shall work cooperatively to provide administrative support for the task force, and the Departments of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Employment Security shall be the primary agencies in providing that support.