The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity  and Local Workforce Innovation Areas (LWIAs) provide services to employers in the state of Illinois who are planning or have gone through a layoff. Along with providing services, they, along with individuals and employers, have the ability to report layoffs in Illinois.

Rapid Response is a federal service strategy which coordinates services with an employer and employee representative(s) to maximize efforts and avert a planned layoff and/or minimize disruption for individuals and communities in dislocation events. Information is included on this page to learn about:

• Rapid Response services
• How to receive these services
• Downloadable materials

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Rapid Response Services are available to employers in the case of a permanent closure or mass layoff at a plant, facility, or enterprise, or a natural or other disaster, that results in mass job dislocation. The State Dislocated Worker Unit coordinates with the employers to provide on-site information to workers and employers about employment and retraining services designed to help participants retain employment when feasible, or obtain re-employment as soon as possible.

​​These services for employers and workers include:

• Labor market information (occupational information and economic trends).
• Job search and placement assistance.
• On-the-job training.
• Customized training.
• Incumbent worker training.
• Registered apprenticeships (RA).
  
• Classroom training.
• Online Training – Steps to Success.
• Entrepreneurial training.
• Referral to basic and remedial education.
• Support Programs and Facilities.
• Career Transition Services.
• Local Out Service Groups.

Employers and individuals can contact their local Illinois workNet Center for detailed information on the services available.

Downloads

• Customized Training Flyer (PDF)
• Incumbent Worker Training Flyer (PDF)
• On-the-Job Training Flyer (PDF)

 

FAQs

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Contact Information for the Northern Workforce Development Region:

Tom Mraz (WIOA and Trade)

Office: (312) 793-9701
Cell: (312) 720-0548
Email: Thomas.Mraz@illinois.gov

County Covered: Cook
LWIA Covered: 7

Ronald Johnson (WIOA)

Office: (312) 793-0551
Cell: (312) 497-3042
Email: Ronald.Johnson@illinois.gov

Counties Covered: Boone, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, Stephenson, and Winnebago
LWIAs Covered: 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6

Carmela Wimberly (WIOA and Trade)

Cell: (312) 835-2734
Email: Carmela.Wimberly@illinois.gov

Counties Covered: Grundy, Kankakee, Livingston, and Will
LWIAs Covered: 10 and 11

Martha McDermott (WIOA)

Office:(217) 557-5560
Cell: (312) 550-4225
Email: Martha.McDermott@illinois.gov 

Counties Covered: Bureau, Caroll,  Henry, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Lee, Mercer, Ogle, Putnam, Rock Island, and Whiteside
LWIAs Covered: 4 and 13

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Contact Information for the Southern Workforce Development Region:

Greg Brown (WIOA/Trade)

Office: (618) 993-7625
Cell: (618) 440-0079
Email: Gregory.Brown@illinois.gov 

Counties Covered: Alexander, Bond, Clinton, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Madison, Massac, Monroe, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, St. Clair, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White, and Williamson,
LWIAs Covered: 22, 24, 25, and 26

Martha McDermott (WIOA/Trade)

Office:(217) 557-5560
Cell: (312) 550-4225
Email: Martha.McDermott@illinois.gov 

Counties Covered: Cass, Calhoun, Christian, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Greene, Jasper, Jersey, Lawrence, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Marion, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Richland, Sangamon, Scott, and Shelby
LWIAs Covered: 19, 20, 21, and 23

Tony DeAssuncao (WIOA/Trade)

Office: (217) 558-2447
Email: Tony.DeAssuncao@illinois.gov

Counties Covered: Adams, Brown, Champaign, Ford, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Iroquois,  Knox, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McLean, Piatt, Peoria, Pike, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, Vermillion, Warren, and Woodford
LWIAs Covered: 14, 15, 17, and 18