Funding

What does Workforce Solutions fund?
The Workforce Solutions program can fund trainings for current employees; on-the-job training;
or a combination of both. Eligible costs comprise of the following or some combination thereof:

  • Current employee upskilling (incumbent worker training)
  • On-the-Job (OJT)/New Hire Training
  • Leadership Development
  • Instructor Wages/Trainer’s fee for incumbent worker training
  • Domestic travel related to the training program (for training provider)
  • Training supplies and materials (items associated with direct training costs only)
  • Training rental equipment
  • Customized Training Curriculum
  • Apprenticeships – requests for apprenticeship projects will be evaluated on a case-bycase basis, we have a limited amount of funds that can be used for this purpose and once those funds are exhausted these types of projects will no longer be eligible. Eligible
    Expenses

What types of activities does the Workforce Solutions Program fund?
Applicants have to demonstrate that the grant funding being sought are job or skill specific and
will have a material impact on the applicant’s workforce needs. Below are classifications of
eligible training types along with representative examples of permissible trainings:

  • Market Expansion
  • Staff Development
  • Company or Job Specific Trainings
  • Industry Required Trainings

How are Workforce Solutions funds not to be spent?

  • Reimburse educational degree programs, including GED programs
  • Consulting services not related to workforce training
  • Non-job-related training
  • Any expenses not agreed to at the time of the contract
  • Funding for 2025 is limited and distributed across specific geographic areas. While your business may meet the eligibility requirements for this program, not all eligible applications can be funded immediately. However, eligible applicants who are not selected for current funding may be placed on a waitlist and may be considered for future funding as additional resources become available. We encourage all qualified businesses to apply.
  • As part of this citywide rollout, the following Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts will be included:
    • 105th/Vincennes
    • 119th/Halsted
    • 119th/I-57
    • 35th/Halsted
    • 47th/Ashland
    • 47th/Halsted
    • 47th/King Drive
    • 47th/State
    • 53rd Street
    • 71st/Stony Island
    • 79th Street/Southwest Highway
    • 79th/Vincennes
    • 87th/Cottage Grove
    • Austin Commercial
    • Avalon Park/South Shore
    • Bronzeville
    • Chicago/Central Park
    • Commercial Avenue
    • Division/Homan
    • Elston Armstrong
    • Englewood Neighborhood
    • Fullerton/Milwaukee
    • Greater Southwest (East)
    • Humboldt Park Commercial
    • Kinzie Industrial Corridor
    • Lawrence/Broadway
    • Michigan/Cermak
    • Pulaski Corridor
    • River West
    • Roseland/Michigan
    • Stevenson/Brighton
    • Washington Park
    • West Woodlawn
    • Wilson Yard
    • Woodlawn
  • Businesses located within these TIF districts are encouraged to apply for the grant.
    Please note: Your business does not need to be located within one of the listed TIF districts to be eligible. However:
    • if your business is located in a TIF district not included in the current rollout, your application will be placed on a waitlist for future consideration.
    • If your business is located outside of a TIF district or in an area where a TIF has already expired, you are encouraged to apply for the bond-funded portion of the grant program.