Norman Ruano, Deputy Director of the Office of Illinois Works and Becky Bailey, Senior Bid Credit Program Manager attended the April membership meeting of HACIA as invited guests and speakers.  Norman spoke about the Illinois Works programs as a whole and their combined commitment to diversity and inclusion for all construction trades.  Becky spoke about the launch of the Bid Credit program and the advantages of the program for both the HACIA contractors and the HACIA Pre-apprenticeship graduates.

Becky Bailey, Senior Bid Credit Program Manager was invited to speak at the 2024 Annual Illinois Pipe Trade Association (IPTA) Convention held at the Isle of Capri in Bettendorf, IA.  The IPTA includes 19 United Association Local Unions and 1,500 Union Contractors who represent 30,000 plumbers, pipe fitters, sprinkler fitters, welders and HVAC service techs in Illinois and parts of Iowa and Indiana.  Becky delivered a speak to the group about how to navigate the Illinois Works programs.

The entire Illinois Works team provided support at the ILW PP Regional Meeting held at the NIU facilities in Naperville, Illinois on May 21st and 22nd.  This two-day event included presentations and training for the ILW PP grantees.  The content focused on the technical knowledge of the program and allowed for networking and the introduction of the newest ILW programs:  Bid Credit Program and Career Services. 

Below at the left is Becky Bailey, Senor Bid Credit Program Manager and Victor Castillo, Career Services providing an update on the newest ILW programs:  Bid Credit Program and Career Services.  The session focused on how these programs can assist the ILW PP Grantees and their graduates. The center photo is the ILW PP grantees at the conference.  Below at the left you can see all Illinois Works programs represented at the conference.

Becky Bailey, Senior Bid Credit Program Manager attended the 53rd Annual Golf Outing at Cog Hill on June 21st.  Her placement on the course as an exhibitor allowed her to interact with all attendees and hand out some “BCP” swag which included cooling towels.  These came in handy as it was very HOT on the course, and the BCP was lucky enough to be located next to a water fountain to wet the towels.  Below are the golfers heading out to the course.

Becky Bailey, Senior Bid Credit Program Manager and Rosa Boccardi, Bid Credit Program Monitor attended the 37th Annual HACIA Golf Outing on August 15th at the Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park.  Unfortunately, the weather put a damper on the event as it poured down rain for most of the day forcing the BCP team to set up inside the clubhouse and only allowing the golfers to play 9 of the 18 golf holes. 

Both photos are of Becky Bailey with a local contractor. 

In addition to golf the event also includes a silent auction which benefits the HACIA Scholarship and Education Foundation, some of the auction items can be seen below.

Kathryn MacDonna and Rosalia Boccardi both Bid Credit Program Monitors represented the BCP team at the 2024 ILW PP Annual Grantee conference in Rockford, IL.  The two-day event was held, October 1st and 2nd at the NIU facilities. 

The ILW team hosted nearly 100 attendees from over 30 ILWPP Grantee organizations from across the state.  This conference serves the ILWPP Grantees  providing training and development tools for them focused on diversity and inclusion.  The ILWPP Grantees and staff members present take this knowledge back to their organizations to increase their programatic outcomes and development.  This year the conference featured Women in the Construction Trades.  The Chicago Women in Trade (CWIT) recognized several women for their contribution to the next generation of women in construction.  A panel of tradeswomen also shared their personal experiences, challenges, and benefits of being a woman working in the construction trades. 

Below at the left are Katy MacDonna and Rosa Boccardi representing the BCP at the conference.

Below at the right are the ILW team at the ILWPP 2024 Annual Grantee conference, standing from left to right, Norman Ruano – Deputy Director of Illinois Works, Dr. Ana Bedard – Professional Development/Program Coach, Victor Castillo – Career Services, Blake Young – Apprenticeship Initiative Manager, Kathryn MacDonna – Bid Credit Program Monitor, Favour Udeh – Intern, LaMonica Pruitt – Pre-apprenticeship Grant Manager, Dr. Jeff Doolittle – Professional Development/Program Coach, Crystal Campos – Administrative Assistant and seated from left to right, Dan Martinez – Pre-apprenticeship Grant Manager, Rosalia Boccardi – Bid Credit Program Monitor, Dr. Gia Suggs – Professional Development/Program Coach, Maria Perez – Senior Apprenticeship Initiative Manager, Dr. Carleta Alstop – Professional Development/Program Coach.

The ILW Bid Credit Program teamed up with the American Job Center at the Rock Island Holiday Inn & Conference Center on Thursday, November 14, 2024.  The ILW Team was there in support of the ILW Pre-apprenticeship Program and to honor local Veterans and residence in search of employment in the construction and building trades. 

Pictures left, Scott Terry with the American Job Center, Rock Island and Rosa Boccardi, ILW Bid Credit Program Monitor. 

The local Veteran’s Honor Guard op​​ened up the day’s event with a ceremonial procession in honor of all veterans. 

Also at the Success Fair, was June, veteran support dog (in training).  June is working hard to one day be a support dog for a veteran in need.  She is part of Step of Faith’s support dogs for veterans program owned and operated by married team Matthew and Angela Johnson. 

Pictured left is Angela and Matthew Johnson, founders of Step of Faith, and June (dog in training). 

Pictured below is Rosa Boccardi, ILW Bid Credit Monitor.