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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
SUPPORT FOR THE INNOVATION NEXUS OF THE CHICAGOLAND WORKFORCE FUNDERS ALLIANCE
WHEREAS the Cook County Policy Roadmap 2024-2027, includes a key objective under Vital Communities to invest in economic sectors with good jobs and positive economic, environmental, and social impact; and
WHEREAS the Cook County Equity Task Force Report includes a recommendation to "Align Cook County's workforce investment intentionally and strategically to support high quality jobs that promote residents' economic mobility and equity"; and
WHEREAS the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development's (BED) 2025 Strategic Plan builds upon the recommendations of the Policy Roadmap and the Equity Task Force and recommends that BED meets the talent needs of employers in key sectors to increase opportunities for, and access to good jobs; and
WHEREAS BED has a commitment to talent driven economic development which includes supporting industry-led partnerships to meet the talent needs of employers and to ensure that residents have opportunities for good jobs; and
WHEREAS, to achieve the above objectives the BED partners with and collaborates with the Chicagoland Workforce Funders Alliance (CWFA);
WHEREAS, since 2012, the CWFA has engaged over 30 philanthropic and corporate funders to advance an equitable and prosperous Chicagoland built by employer, worker and community collaborations; and
WHEREAS the Funder Alliance has used this role to carve out a unique position at the intersection of workforce development, social justice, education and economic development; and
WHEREAS Forefront, Illinois' statewide association, founded in 1974, representing nonprofits and grant makers, as well as their advisors and allies serves as a trusted resource and leader committed to educating, unifying, and mobilizing the sector in Illinois; serves as a Fiscal Agent for the CWFA ; and
WHEREAS the CWFA launched the Innovation Nexus in 2023 to bring together the workforce, business a...
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