2026 Illinois Workforce Summit

We are excited to invite you to the 2026 Illinois Workforce Summit—a gathering dedicated to strengthening Illinois’ workforce through collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose.

This year’s theme, Empower. Engage. Excel reflects our commitment to supporting workforce professionals and partners at every level. Through empowering individuals, engaging communities and employers, and striving for excellence in service delivery, we aim to create a stronger, more inclusive workforce system across Illinois.

The Illinois Workforce Summit brings together a diverse group of stakeholders—employers, workforce professionals, educators, and providers from key state programs. Together, we aim to build and strengthen partnerships that advance workforce development across the state.

This year’s Summit continues our commitment to creating a space where all voices are heard, diverse perspectives are valued, and actionable solutions are shared. By fostering meaningful connections and offering practical tools and insights, we hope to equip attendees to meet the evolving challenges of today’s workforce landscape.

The Illinois Workforce Summit is grounded in the collaborative spirit of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). It is intentionally designed to support local core partner staff and board members through practical guidance on service delivery and system integration.

The Summit is presented by the WIOA Professional Development Committee, representing the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the Illinois Community College Board, and the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Full event details are available here: https://ilworkforceacademy.com/illinois-workforce-summit/