The State of Illinois Is Putting Illinoisans to Work--Government Program a Huge Success
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), otherwise known as President Obama’s economic stimulus plan, included a small funding stream that states can use to create a subsidized jobs program for parents in low-income families who have been displaced from employment by the recession or otherwise are in need of employment. This spring, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) produced a plan to utilize these stimulus dollars and received immediate federal approval of its plan. IDHS dubbed its new jobs program “Put Illinois to Work.”
Three months have now passed since the Put Illinois to Work program began in early April, and it’s fair to say that it has been a monumental success in helping to solve our state’s #1 problem--getting people in Illinois back to work. It has done so at little cost to the state by creatively harnessing the federal funding stream created by ARRA. Illinois has done what the anti-government chorus considers the impossible, working closely with the private sector to get a large-scale government program that produces jobs up and running quickly and efficiently.
Put Illinois to Work provides jobs that pay $10 per hour for 30-40 hours per week of work. As of today, there are over 18,000 people in Put Illinois to Work jobs. Employers have created 35,000 work slots, more than double the state’s original goal of 15,000. The program has been so popular that with over 60,000 job applicants, IDHS has had to close intake to the program.
The state has invested $10 million to leverage a federal investment of $200 million--a $20 return on every $1. Employers’ training and supervision expenses are considered an in-kind contribution under federal law so these workers come at no cost to the employer. In addition to earning badly needed income, workers with thin employment histories are building up their job skills and resumes. IDHS anticipates that thousands of Put Illinois to Work participants will receive continuing offers of employment when the program’s funding runs out.
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) emergency contingency fund (ECF)--the federal fund that pays for Put Illinois to Work--expires on September 30, 2010. State subsidized employment programs like Put Illinois to Work enjoy wide bipartisan support in the United State Congress (a rare thing these days). The U.S. House of Representatives has already passed a one-year extension of the TANF ECF. A similar measure was uncontroversial in the U.S. Senate but was included as part of the unemployment extension legislation that recently failed to get the 60 votes needed to advance in the Senate.
The Shriver Center and many other advocates are undertaking intensive efforts to get Congress to find another way to extend the TANF ECF for one year beyond September 30, 2010. For the sake of the tens of thousands of low-income Illinoisans who need and want to keep these $10 per hour jobs, let’s hope that these efforts are successful.
We are a nonprofit, community based organization and this program has helped us to serve the community while teaching underemployed people so many wonderfully useful vocational and life skills.
When we solicited local small businesses to apply and train these people who really wanted to work and learn....the response was fantastic. I still haven't found one person of hundreds placed that isn't grateful for the opportunity to work, serve, and feel useful.
My thanks for this program and i hope and pray for the extension of one year.
I think the put illinois to work program have gave people one way to start doing new things and get more creativ, i work with this program and i think it has helped alot with my financing and my appearance.
I think that the PUT ILLINOIS TO WORK PROGRAM AWESOME! It's really helping EVERYONE in a time of need!! Before the program no employers were hiring. I stayed on the internet day & night filling out applications & got no response! Not long after I signed up for this program, I was employed! This is an excellent program & I am really hoping for an extension! Especially since the holidays are coming soon!
I really hope that it program can go for another year it has helped me take care ofy girls n our home the way the economy is its hard to find a job so I pray this program can go on
does anyone have any information on what to do if you work but don't actually receive your pay??
If you are having any payroll problems, please call (312) 878-3201 and a PITW representative will answer your questions.
I hope this program can go on for another year. This program help me out i almost lost my home. If it was't for Put Illinois To Work I would be in my home. The work i do i like the job and the people i work with very nice people. Please let the program go on for another year. I have been looking for a job for about a year before i heard about this program. I hear about the program in July that when i started if you all stop it in 10-30-2010. I will be looking for another job all over again. Please extension this program because i want to keep my roof over my head. I am going to be praying for your help. Thank you for Put Illinois To Work Thank You.
I hope this program can go on for another year. This program help me out i almost lost my home. If it was't for Put Illinois To Work I would be in my home. The work i do i like the job and the people i work with very nice people. Please let the program go on for another year. I have been looking for a job for about a year before i heard about this program. I hear about the program in July that when i started if you all stop it in 10-30-2010. I will be looking for another job all over again. Please extension this program because i want to keep my roof over my head. I am going to be praying for your help. Thank you for Put Illinois To Work Thank You.
Does anyone know if the program has been extended? This has really been a life saver. Prior to enrolling in this program I was unemployed for 3 years. I'm hopeful that our elected officials get their acts together & actually decide to do something in the best interest of their (unemployed/underemployed) constituents.
As of today -- Sept. 2, 2010 -- federal funding for the program has not been extended beyond Sept. 30. President Obama has requested that Congress continue funding this program for another year and the House of Representatives has voted to do so but unfortunately the U.S. Senate has not. We at the Shriver Center and many other low-income advocates continue to work for a one-year extension of federal funding. The State of Illinois has not yet publicly announced its intentions if federal funding ends on Sept. 30, but it is widely feared that all 25,000 Put Illinois to Work jobs will end on Sept. 30 if federal funding is not extended.
I must say that my Experience with PITW has been one of growth, maturity, and excellance. I have learned so much and because of that I am a better man, not only for my family and myslef but also for my community. There is no other programn that Id rather be in. From the Employers to the Work sites, everything has been simply done in the Spirit of Excellance. Im truely thankful for to being exposed to the opportunities that life offers. Hopefully we will get an extention that will help all employers and employees to contrinue to grow and move through life safe and successfully!
to anyone is listening please consider of giving this program a extension the program has gave me skills it has gave me a opportunity to pick up more skills it has also gave me achance to not be judge on my back ground thank god for president obama for helping the low income people that people has forgotten i also want to thank governor quinn for putting the program togeather and going to back for the low income. i also pray for extension if anyone is listening please help the people that really trying to succeed in life.
The PITW program is amazing!! I had been unemployed for 5 long months before I enrolled, & started work within 2wks of applying with the program! It has been an absolute life-saver!! I am a single mother of a toddler, and if it weren't for this wonderful program I don't know what I would've done. I also pray that the senate takes notice to how much the program has helped uplift those in need. With such an amazing opportunity I am eternally grateful, and I absolutely love my job!! I appreciate the efforts of The Obama Administration, The House of Representatives as well as The Shriver Center, Come on Senate!! Vote YES!!! to the extension that is helping end unemployement, and poverty in Illinois!! You chose to Put Illinois To Work, we are working, and we want to continue to WORK!!!
I am pleading with whom ever is responsible for p.i.t.w to entend the program i am one of the low income families who needs this program for a little more time im just starting to get back on my feet i am now paying off my sallie mae loan for dental assistant please dont stop me now
Through the Grace Of God the put il to work program has helped to take me and my son out of shelters and into our own apartment.
PITW is a wonderful program that should stay in affect.This program is a blessing from God that i had been praying for i had been with out a job for about 7 or 8 months not knowing when i was going 2 be able 2 find another job 2 provide for me & my child.PITW is a life saver & so is Pat Quinn with the help of him extending the program me & my family was able 2 have a beautiful thanksgiving & even wonderful christmas & new year.So please if possible can this program stay in affect for the better of me & these family's that are now able 2 provide for they family"s.Thank you 4 your time & have a Blessed day.
i hope the program can go longer because this has really helped me take care of my son and daughter, thank you so much
i have been searching for a job for six months now and its hard.
Hi im octavia mack and mi look for a jod i had a job but i had to live it because i need a jod that where i have to there it like 8:30am to like 2:30 aer some af school hours