Business Relations and Economic Development
Engaging the business community, Meeting workforce needs
Connect with The Partnership
Phaedra M. Leslie, Director
Email: pleslie@chicookworks.org
Phone: 1 (312) 603-7066
Business Resources
The Partnership aims to increase private engagement in the local workforce system while improving the scale, capacity, quality, and results of workforce development programs. The goal is to better serve the needs employers by ensuring we have a skilled labor force that meets the market’s demands. By leveraging The Partnership’s experience and knowledge of occupational training, workplace preparedness and business relations, businesses are able to use existing resources to produce outstanding results.
The Partnership:
- Engages the business community to identify industry-hiring trends and industry-recognized credentials
- Supports industry-specific “sector centers” designed to facilitate in-depth focus on particular industries with business partnerships in these areas.
- Analyzes and disseminates labor market information to project job growth, wages, and training requirements
Economic Development
The Partnership works with the City of Chicago’s and Cook County’s economic development agencies to meet regional business needs through a variety of incentive and other programs including TIF Works and the BUILT in Cook Loan Fund. Additionally, applicants for Cook County’s tax incentive initiatives are routinely referred to The Partnership to address human capital needs.
WARN/Rapid Response Workshops
In anticipation of company layoffs, The Partnership coordinates with businesses to facilitate workshops for affected workers informing them of their rights, responsibilities, and available resources. The Partnership then coordinates job placement and training services for affected employees. Contact us to discuss information and services that may assist impacted employees.
Industry Sectors
The region’s high-growth/high-demand sectors.
Please reach out to our talented network Business Relations Specialists for your hiring needs:
Construction, Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics:
Patricia A. Moore, pmoore@chicookworks.org
Healthcare: Kathleen Brannigan, kbrannigan@chicookworks.org
Hospitality: Marion Batey, mbatey@chicookworks.org
Manufacturing: David Swanson, dswanson@chicookworks.org
Retail: Tonya Cody-Robinson, trobinson@chicookworks.org
Technology, Business and Professional Services: Victor Vizueta, vvizueta@chicookworks.org
Employer Resources
Download our business brochure HERE
If you are a business owner or HR representative for an employer considering work stoppages, layoffs or furloughs, we encourage you to connect with The Partnership’s Business Relations and Economic Development team to get assistance, email pleslie@chicookworks.org
Important links:
- Small Business Incentives
- Cook County COVID-19 Community Recovery Initiative
- COVID-19 Employers Economic Assistance
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions