Rock Island Today

Sen. Chuck Weaver (R-Peoria) is working on more funding for career development now and down the road.

SB3033 modifies the term "industrial development agency" to include local school districts and community colleges, and allow for the acquisition of equipment needed for career development, according to Weaver.

“This is something that is very important on how we are trying to develop our workforce for the future,” he said of the alteration that amends the Industrial Development Assistance (IDA) Law.

Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora)

After noting there was no bill opposition during a May 2 Senate debate, Weaver requested a positive vote, but his appeal was delayed by a question from Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora).

Saying she asked the same question of SB3033 in an earlier Commerce and Economic Development Committee meeting, Holmes asked again how the bill would be financed.

“This has been sitting and the funding is available for other agencies, but never for local schools and we believe people are beginning to understand the importance of manufacturing and how we are going to be able to prepare people for that,” Weaver said.

School districts will seek the money, according to Weaver, who noted they must meet the 25-employer threshold to apply.

“It is going to be something that moves on parallel paths; one side is the demand and the other side is the ability to fund it,” he said. “We hope that can happen.”

The bill's text states that  “any two or more counties may, by the procedures provided in this Act, designate a single industrial development agency to represent such counties for the purposes of this Act.”

Along with school districts and community colleges, IDA applies to any not-for-profit, organization or association. 

SB3033 passed the Senate 51-0 and moved to the House for consideration.