Jasmine Walker, the new workforce board manager for Kane County's Office of Community Reinvestment, told the county Jobs Committee on Oct. 17 that staff changes, a new training certificate and a kiosk rollout are central priorities as the office implements expanded WIOA funding.

Walker said the Waubonsee Community College hybrid and electric vehicle repair program has been approved by the workforce board and added to the list of training programs available to WIOA participants. "We pay up to $10,000 per participant," Walker said, describing WIOA's capacity to cover the program's listed cost of $4,660 for two semesters. She also said the program is ASE accredited and covers high-voltage safety, batteries, regenerative braking, HVACs and drivetrain systems.

Why it matters: Committee members emphasized that connecting program outcomes to livable wages helps residents evaluate training choices and supports workforce development goals. The county's larger WIOA allocation for 2025 gives staff more flexibility to fund training and supportive services, but also creates pressure to obligate the funds in ways that meet program rules and performance measures.

Walker reviewed staffing and governance updates: the office has added several staff roles including an assistant director, a fiscal manager and a one-stop manager, and the workforce board has added six new business-representative members to meet the requirement that 51% of the board be from business. She named new and incoming staff members and board representatives during the presentation.

Kiosk pilot and job-board expansion

Walker described a phased kiosk initiative that will place 15 WorkNet kiosks across Kane County and neighboring Kendall and DeKalb counties. Four kiosks launched on Sept. 30 with a ribbon-cutting at the Quad County Urban League; the others are at Hesed House, Suntory Library and West Branch Library. Phase 1 (September'November) will test usage and common questions; phase 2 (December'February) will place the remaining 11 kiosks. "What these kiosks do is allow job searchers to see different opportunities, whether that's our programs or actual jobs," Walker said.

Locations under consideration include county libraries (Gail Borden, Sandwich and Genoa libraries were named) and community sites with Wi-Fi, power and a contact person who can report issues. Walker said kiosks can surface the most-visited sites and send forms back to staff for follow-up; she plans to report kiosk-visit numbers in December.

Training, support services and program outcomes

Walker said WIOA funding covers tuition and can also provide "supplemental money" for transportation, childcare and other barriers to completion. She described two training types: "work-based training" (on-the-job with some classroom time) and "direct training" (classroom-based programs such as the Waubonsee certificate). Walker also outlined a sector-based subsidy pilot developed with a board member and an apprenticeship/contractor partner to subsidize wages and classroom time for 13 construction-sector participants over a year.

On performance metrics, Walker reported that as of June 30, 2025 the program served 786 participants, achieving 90% of overall enrollment goals. She broke out enrollments: 374 adults (93.5% of goal), 225 dislocated workers (115% of goal) and 300 youth (106% of goal). Training participation totals reported included 238 adults and 140 youth in training; Walker said these figures show "strong outcomes." She also noted the 2025 WIOA grant is $9.3 million, up from roughly $7.3 million the prior year, and staff are working to obligate the increase in compliance with state rules.

Manufacturing and IMEC lighthouse program

Separately in the meeting, staff and the Kane County Economic Development Corporation updated the committee on the Lighthouse Manufacturing program. The county distributed ARPA funds that helped 20 companies complete a phase 1 cohort; the EDC has contracted IMEC for a phase 2 program funded at $483,000. Phase 2 funds include $5,000 in consulting for each of the first-round companies and slots for 10 new companies receiving $30,000 each for customized training and consultation. The IMEC work also includes a $75,000 county manufacturing survey and ongoing employer outreach.

Committee questions and next steps

Committee members asked for a map showing which districts house Lighthouse participants, a monthly unemployment dashboard at national, state and county levels, and clearer metrics ("SMART" goals) for committee priorities. Chris Toth, planning division manager for Kane County Development and Community Services, and other staff said they would provide additional materials and follow-up contact information for kiosk and program partners.

Procedural actions

The committee approved the minutes from the Sept. 12 meeting by unanimous consent and later adjourned on a motion by Bill Roth. No roll-call vote was recorded for either action.

Ending note

Walker closed by thanking the committee and inviting follow-up: she said she will circulate her slides and requested members send suggestions for additional kiosk locations. "We're really excited about all the new developments that are happening in workforce development and looking forward to continuing to build our new team," she said.