Statement from the Co-Chairs of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership) and Chicago Cook Workforce Innovation Board (WIB)
CHICAGO – Today, Karin M. Norington-Reaves, founding CEO of the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership), announced her candidacy for U.S. Congress, representing Illinois’ 1st Congressional District.
Effective immediately, with approval of The Partnership’s Board of Directors, Ms. Norington-Reaves will take a leave of absence from her duties overseeing the day-to-day operations at The Partnership.
During her leave, The Partnership will be managed under the shared leadership of Illona SheffeyRawlings, Chief Administrative Officer/General Counsel and Patrick Combs, Chief Program Officer. Throughout this period, Ms. Sheffey-Rawlings and Mr. Combs will meet regularly with The Partnership’s Co-Chairs Jacki Robinson-Ivy and George Wright to ensure continuity in achieving The Partnership’s vision and mission in executing internal and external programs and services. Ms. Norington-Reaves will provide advisory support and counsel as needed.
We are grateful to Karin for her leadership and vision in growing The Partnership into the nation’s largest workforce development system and we wish her well during this time.
About The Partnership
The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership) is a non-profit umbrella organization operating the public workforce system for the City of Chicago and Cook County.
The Partnership combines federal and philanthropic resources to provide comprehensive workforce development services to employers and job seekers. As the largest public workforce development system in the nation, The Partnership has helped place more than 70,000 individuals in employment; collaborated with more than 2,000 employers; and administered more than $400 million in federal and philanthropic funds. The Partnership’s network consists of 90+ community-based organizations, American Job Centers, satellite sites and sector-driven centers, serving more than 140,000 people annually. Learn more at www.chicookworks.org.