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Chicago Workforce Solutions Secures $12.2 Million to Expand Employer Training

The program expanded citywide in 2025 to reimburse employer training costs.

By The Daily Chicago · Published July 24, 2026

How we reported this

This article was written by AI from the linked sources and was not reviewed by a journalist before publishing. The Daily Chicago is part of The Daily Network and follows our reasonable editorial care.

Chicago's Workforce Solutions program formerly known as TIFWorks expanded citywide in 2025 with $12.2 million in new funding according to the reports indexed as item 5 and item 33. Grants reimburse up to 75 percent to 100 percent of employer training costs with standard caps at $250000.

The program targets small to mid size businesses and nonprofits in manufacturing healthcare technology retail and logistics. It covers upskilling for incumbent workers on the job training for new hires and leadership or technology skills development.

In 2026 workforce development shifted toward hyper local equity driven strategies prioritising short term credential programs apprenticeships and wrap around services such as childcare and transportation.

Sources: perplexity-sonar, perplexity-sonar.

References Sourced but Not Limited to:

chicago.gov · Workforce development program approved for citywide expansion

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