Chicago Jobs Council (CJC) moves people out of poverty through employment using on-the-ground expertise, advocacy, and capacity-building.

CJC was founded in 1981 with 18 members to track economic development funds earmarked for low-income Chicagoans. The coalition monitored the city’s public brick-and-mortar funding and developed advocacy efforts to build into skills training to broaden access to jobs. Thirty-five years later, working alongside over 100 members/member organizations, CJC focuses efforts in two main areas: policy advocacy and capacity building. CJC engages in this work at the federal and state level, with a focus on the Chicago region. CJC’s major policy efforts focus on alternative business models and “high road” employer practices; an inclusive continuum of education and training; and reduced systemic barriers to employment experienced by people of color and women. CJC’s capacity building efforts are conducted primarily through the Frontline Focus Training Institute (FFTI) and the Workforce Information & Resource Exchange (WIRE) online portal. Over 600 unique individuals were engaged in CJC events last year (Working Group, Frontline Focus trainings, Frontline Workforce Association, Member events, etc.) and CJC estimates that ultimately 40,000 disadvantaged job seekers and workers benefited from our capacity building and policy advocacy efforts.CJC recently developed a 3-year Strategic Plan (2017-2019) articulating a clear vision, key values and strategic goals for the organization. CJC’s vision is that all people, regardless of where they start or where they've been, can access employment as a pathway out of poverty. CJC recognizes that stable employment with good pay, benefits, and opportunities for career advancement is the foundation of strong communities. Our work aims to create a more equitable society as we strive to dissolve structural inequalities contributing to racial, ethnic and gender inequalities in employment. CJC uses evidence, research and on-the-ground practice to advance employment policies and programs, which challenge current practice and offer bold solutions to achieve greater impact. CJC values inclusive relationships – working in teams, in partnerships, in coalitions – because collaboration that engages diverse experiences and considers others is key to our success. CJC’s Strategic Plan goals include: Development of alternative business models that create opportunities for people living in poverty and promote “high road” employer practices; inclusive continuum of education and training to build the skills of people living in poverty and align with labor market skill-demands; reduced systemic barriers to employment experienced by people of color and women; expanded relationships with employers; expanded communications strategies that reach public decision-makers; robust network of community-based service providers that provide high quality services; improved ability to document, measure and communicate CJC’s impact; and maintenance of a sustainable organizational infrastructure for CJC.