Event
2022 Conference: Equity First
The 2022 Illinois 60 by 25 Network Annual Conference on February 28 to March 3 will be virtual and free to attend.
December 2, 2021
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Leadership Community & Network Updates
Rockford Hosts Annual Career Exploration Fair
The 10th anniversary of the annual career exploration fair featured 102 booths and over 100 volunteers helping run the event
December 2, 2021
Manufacturing Day
conomic Development Corporation (CSEDC) successfully hosted their annual Manufacturing Day virtual sessions with businesses and high schools from across the Chicago Southland.
December 2, 2021
Greater Peoria Hosts Fifth Annual CareerSpark
The Greater Peoria Economic Development Council and their partners at Junior Achievement of Central Illinois collaborated with local volunteer employers to create 48 industry-specific virtual booths representing eight different career clusters.
December 2, 2021
NECSS Prepares to Use Data Dashboard to Reduce Gaps, Receives Transitional English Course Approval
Through the information collected on the NECSS Student Data Dashboard, the Equity for All taskforce seeks to analyze and identify achievement gaps of special populations.
December 2, 2021
Sauk Valley Community College Approved as an Apprenticeship Site, Pilots Impact Program
SVCC receives U.S. Department of Labor approval as a registered apprenticeship site for Maintenance Electrician Program plus new Impact Program allows students to earn up to 3 years of tuition and fees in exchange for volunteering.
December 2, 2021
River Bend CUSD #2 Presents on How Work-Study Programming Supports College and Career Readiness Indicators at the Illinois School Board Convention
Dr. Darryl Hogue, Superintendent of River Bend CUSD # 2, and Robert Gosch, Principle of Fulton High School, presented at the Illinois School Board Convention on program options that exist at River Bend Schools for completing authentic work opportunities.
December 2, 2021
Leadership Community Update
MEAC Leads Successful Internships, Launches Career Pathways Programs
The iKit Summer Internship Program hosted 16 graduating seniors from Evanston Township High School.
December 2, 2021
Senator Duckworth Visits Evanston to Talk Career Education for Technical Trades
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth joined a gathering of community leaders and educators at Evanston Township High School.
December 2, 2021
Leadership Community Update
Little Village Education Collaborative Develops Equity Response Teams to Serve Students More Equitably
The Little Village Education Collaborative convened by Enlace Chicago is implementing individualized Equity Response Teams with their local postsecondary partners to increase student support in college access and persistence.
December 2, 2021
NECSS Students & Pathways Garner Regional & National Attention
Buffalo Grove High School students are named national INCubatoredu finalists, D214 student earns National Cyber Scholar honor, D220 is expanding its education pathway, and elected officials visit Wheeling High School’s METT pathway.
October 6, 2021
Boone County Secures Grant for Career Exploration and Career Development Experience Pilot
The Boone County community has secured a grant through ISBE, to support the region’s ability to identify and develop innovative resources to promote Career Exploration and Career Development Experiences.
October 6, 2021
Event
Engaging Adult Learners to Increase Postsecondary Attainment Equity in Illinois
In this webinar, recorded on September 28, 2021, the Illinois 60 by 25 Network Organizers and our partners discuss strategies to engage adult learners to increase postsecondary attainment equity in Illinois.
September 28, 2021
Boone County Designated a Leadership Community
The Illinois 60 by 25 Network has designated Boone County as a new Leadership Community.
June 22, 2021
MEAC, North Chicago Community High School Share Lessons Learned on Virtual Work-Based Learning
In May, the Mayor’s Employer Advisory Council (MEAC) and North Chicago Community High School presented to the Illinois Work-Based Learning Innovation Network (I-WIN) community on
June 22, 2021
NECSS Manufacturing Students Gain Real-World Experience
Golden Corridor Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (GCAMP) and Acme Industries partnered to bring real-world experiences to a Rolling Meadows High School manufacturing class. This virtual project
June 22, 2021
MORE Graduates Earn Endorsements
This school year, three students from Fulton High School and one from Morrison High School graduated with their College and Career Pathway Endorsement in the
June 22, 2021
MEAC: Growing Summer Internships
The Evanston iKit Summer Internship Program featuring twelve-week paid internships has kicked off with sixteen interns going into local employer locations starting in mid-June. Three
June 22, 2021
Leadership Community Update
East St. Louis Graduates Earn Scholarships, Associate Degrees
Despite a challenging pandemic year, the East St. Louis Senior High School Class of 2021 collectively earned over $16.6 million in college scholarships.
June 22, 2021
Student Advisory Council
Words of Advice from the Class of 2021
In our May 2021 meeting of the Student Advisory Council, the departing seniors shared lessons learned and future plans with the underclassmen members. Check out their insights!
May 17, 2021
Resource
What’s a Good Job or Career?
In the May 2021 convening of the Student Advisory Council, Juan Jose Gonzalez of Education Systems Center at NIU introduced the concept of the living wage and shared resources for learning more about career opportunities that meet the living wage threshold.
May 17, 2021
Resource
Planning for Life After High School: Tips from the Illinois 60 by 25 Network Student Advisory Council
The Student Advisory Council developed creative ways to share the ISAC Student Portal and the Illinois Postsecondary Profiles tools with their fellow students. Check them out!
May 12, 2021
Leadership Community Update
Northwest Educational Council for Student Success Pathways Serve Students
Culinary Arts Pathway serves up a learning buffet while Education Pathway winds through classroom experience.
March 10, 2021
Sauk Valley Community College / MORE Receive CTE Pathway Grant, Expand Opportunities
Sauk Valley Community College, in partnership with Making Opportunities Real for Everyone (MORE) has applied for and was awarded a grant to fund educational pathways for local high school students.
March 10, 2021
2020-2021 School Year Update: Evanston Mayor’s Employer Advisory Council
This school year, MEAC co-sponsored with Evanston Township High School (ETHS) seven virtual career pathway panel events each attended by 30-50 students and others.
March 10, 2021
Network Update
Announcing the Inaugural Student Advisory Council
Council members are from Illinois 60 by 25 Network Leadership communities and bring diverse perspectives. We look forward to working with these outstanding young people to better understand how students across the state experience various initiatives that the Network supports, and understand what kinds of supports would be helpful to students as they navigate the education system.
January 15, 2021
Event
2021 Conference: Forward Together
We have re-imagined the annual Illinois 60 by 25 Network Conference for 2021. We will bring the high-quality conference content you have counted on since 2014 over four days: February 22–25, 2021.
January 15, 2021
District 214 Apprentices Gain On-the-Job Experience, Earn College Credit
Now several months into its second year, High School District 214’s apprenticeship program is building on the success of its inaugural year by branching out to serve more students in more fields.
December 2, 2020
North Chicago Community High School Creates Virtual Work-Based Internships
Plans are underway for a virtual work-based internship in the second semester through a WIOA grant received in July 2020.
December 2, 2020
Mississippi and Rock River Regions Establishing District-Wide Pathway System
A new pathway system is being established so that all district students on any pathway will follow one means for reporting and storing data.
December 2, 2020
Event
Trauma-Informed Practices Webinar
Representatives from East St. Louis School District 189 and Township High School District 214 in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago shared how they have implemented trauma-informed practices in their districts in partnership with the Illinois Federation of Teachers and community partners.
October 23, 2020
Trauma-Informed Practices Webinar
Hear about the strategies and resources East St. Louis School District 189 and Township High School District 214 are using to support the needs of students and community members as they deal with challenges related to COVID-19, racial unrest, and adjusting to remote learning.
October 22, 2020
Leadership Community Update
Health Occupations Program in Vermilion County Launches Virtual Instruction
The Health Occupations instructors at Danville Area Community College (DACC) have been working hard to ensure content delivery still happens if a student is suddenly removed
September 28, 2020
Rockford Rolls Out Partnership Resources
In Rockford, partners are working together to prepare students for college, career, and life through the Great Lakes College and Career Pathways Partnership. Read more…
September 28, 2020
Peoria Pathways to Prosperity Partners on New GPEAK Initiative
Illinois Central College (ICC), in partnership with Peoria’s CEO Council and Regional Workforce Alliance, Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), Jobs
September 28, 2020
Leadership Community Update
NECSS Student Spotlight
Yennifer Velazquez, an Elk Grove High School grad, completed her first year of college with no student loan debt, thanks to Middle College! When Yennifer
September 28, 2020
NECSS Embarks on Power of 15 Initiative
In August 2014, members of the NECSS partnership embarked on the Power of 15 initiative. The mission of the Power of 15 is to ensure
September 28, 2020
McLean Compact Launches New Website, Virtual Becoming BN Program
The McLean Compact brought on two AmeriCorps VISTA members in June, launched a new website at mcleancocompact.org and conducted the Becoming BN program virtually in July.
September 28, 2020
iKit Summer Internship Program Launches in Evanston
This summer, Evanston Township High School (ETHS), the City of Evanston Youth and Young Adult Division, Evanston Community Foundation, and the Mayor’s Employer Advisory Council
September 28, 2020
COVID-19 Resource Website Launched
To support communities during COVID-19, the McLean Chamber of Commerce, which serves as the backbone organization for the McLean County Leadership Community, has developed a new, jointly-sponsored website with resources for community access.
September 1, 2020
Running Start Program Celebrates Nine Graduates
This spring, the East St Louis School District Class of 2020 celebrated nine seniors who earned their associate’s degrees while graduating from high school.
June 1, 2020
Evanston Offers Virtual Career Readiness Training for High School Seniors
The Mayor’s Employer Advisory Council (MEAC) and its partners in Evanston have been providing virtual career readiness training resources and training to support seniors from Evanston Township High School who are about to graduate.
May 7, 2020
Leadership Community Update
East St. Louis High School Senior Advances Education and Earns Work Certificate During COVID-19 Pandemic
Arielle Bell earned a college-level certification in Hospitality and Tourism Management before even graduating from high school.
May 4, 2020
Event
2020 Conference: Agents of Change
Since the Network’s inception, a core tenet has been to focus on opportunities for learning and sharing across communities, which includes our annual conference. “The
February 2, 2020
Leadership Community Update
Students in East St. Louis Learn to Write Code
With help from SWIC, students learned to design and write code for a CNC machine.
December 19, 2019
Jobs for Americas Graduates (JAG) Takes Root in East St. Louis
JAG helps high school students discover their individual talents, develop skills, and seize opportunities to achieve their personal potential.
December 19, 2019
McLean County Update: December 2019
2019 was a busy year in McLean County. They piloted Becoming BN, developed the Education to Employer Summit, launched the Essential Workplace Skills in partnership, and continued work with the College and Career Pathways Endorsements.
December 1, 2019
Leadership Community Update
Student Encourages Other Youth to Consider Careers in Healthcare
Diana earned the coveted Dr. Helen Nash High School Internship for Excellence in Healthcare.
September 20, 2019
Leadership Community Update
East St. Louis Senior High School CTE Program Hosts Hair and Car Show
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program at East St. Louis Senior High School hosted an Open House Hair and Car Show on Saturday, September 14, 2019, to highlight student achievements and the exciting CTE opportunities available to the community.
September 16, 2019
Danville High School Offers Career Services
Tucked away in a corner of the second floor at Danville High School is an office where students can be paired with a job or an internship at a local business.
September 10, 2019
Program Guides Students to College and Careers
Danville District 118 students will have a better idea about what they would like to do with their life after high school thanks to a newly enhanced Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.
September 10, 2019
Leadership Community Update
D214 Hosts Construction Trades Pathway Development Advisory Team
High School District 214 hosted a Construction Trades Pathway Development Advisory Team in August.
September 1, 2019
PaCE Framework Event Results in the 1st IL Regional PaCE Model
The LaSalle County Regional Office of Education in partnership with Illinois Valley Community College sponsored a Postsecondary and Career Expectations Framework event for regional educators.
September 1, 2019
COMPACT Partners with Heartland Community College to Develop an Essential Workplace Skills Curriculum
With grant funding assistance from EdSystems, committees are working to complete education and training pathways and stackable credentials in identified industry clusters.
September 1, 2019
Leadership Community Update
Weisner Family Center for Career Development Opens in Aurora
The new Weisner Family Center for Career Development at Aurora West School District 129 opening on August 29, 2019. The center helps support the Pathways
August 31, 2019
RVC Holds Dual Credit Boot Camp
Rock Valley College (RVC) conducted their dual credit boot camp for MET 100 (Introductory CAD and Print Reading).
June 1, 2019
MORE Community Update
Whiteside Area Career Center has expanded credentialing and dual credit for coursework taken at the Center and has increased student enrollment by over 100 students compared to 2018.
June 1, 2019
Peoria Hosts Delegation from Puerto Rico
Peoria partners recently hosted a 15-person delegation of Puerto Rican mayors, employers, and educators to learn about Pathways to Prosperity program.
March 1, 2019
D214 Launches 5 Registered Youth Apprenticeships
District 214 has started 5 registered youth apprenticeships in 3 career areas: Cybersecurity, Automotive Technology, and HVAC.
March 1, 2019
MORE Region Expands Internship Program, STEM/Robotics Activities
A lot has been happening in the MORE region including expansion of the multicraft internship program (MEIP), and STEM/Robotics activities.
March 1, 2019
Event
2019 Conference: Informing Action, Improving Outcomes
This year’s 60 by 25 Conference featured many dynamic speakers from Illinois and across the country. Our engaging keynote speakers, Vela Institute, provided an interactive
February 2, 2019
NECSS Hosts Suburbanization of Poverty Summit
NECSS hosted a summit on the Suburbanization of Poverty on Friday, November 9th at Harper College.
December 1, 2018
MORE Communities Focus on High School Endorsements, Robotics
In the MORE communities, representatives from area employers, higher education, and K-12 schools are meeting and creating a model/template for high school endorsements in agriculture, manufacturing, and education.
December 1, 2018
Innovate Springfield Joins University of Illinois Springfield and Becomes First Hub of Illinois Innovation Network
Innovate Springfield, the intermediary organization for the Sangamon County Continuum of Learning, is now a unit of the University of Illinois Springfield and has been named as the first hub of the statewide Illinois Innovation Network.
September 1, 2018
McLean County Update: September 2018
Over the last several months the McLean County Compact action teams have developed a logic model that outlines resources, activities, products and outcomes related to joint goals, including the 60 by 25 goal.
September 1, 2018
River Bend Adopts PaCE Framework
Through a collaborative process that included administrators, teachers and other stakeholders, River Bend Community Unit District #2, which is in the MORE Leadership Community, has adapted the PaCE Framework.
September 1, 2018
Thrive Chicago Announces Latest Investments for Opportunity Youth
At Thrive Chicago’s Opportunity Youth Summit on May 24, 2018, Mayor Emanuel, DFSS, and Thrive Chicago Announced the latest investments to advance 10 citywide recommendations on opportunity youth.
June 1, 2018
Peoria Pathways to Prosperity Completes Pilot Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship
The Peoria Pathways to Prosperity team and its partners completed a pilot manufacturing pre-apprenticeship and are scaling it to engage approximately 40 students across four school districts and multiple manufacturing employers for AY 2018.
June 1, 2018
Robotics and Engineering Olympics Event Draws 21+ High School Teams
On April 14, 2018, Southworks organized a Robotics and Engineering Olympics event featuring SUMO, Autonomous Racer, S Bricks, and Pathfinder competitions.
June 1, 2018
Local Manufacturer Presents Internship Opportunities at Area High School
Fulton High School recently invited Timkin Drives, a local manufacturer to meet with graduating seniors to present the Timkin/Sauk Multicraft Intern opportunity as part of the region’s Multicraft Extended Internship Program.
June 1, 2018
Leadership Community Update
Walking Across Two Stages
Montez Holton, Valedictorian of the East St. Louis Senior High School Class of 2018, walked across two stages in May: earning a high school diploma and associate’s degree.
June 1, 2018
Vermillion Advantage Expands Career Advising & WIOA Grant Comes to Vermilion County
Danville Area Community College and Vermilion County Works secured a WIOA grant to create short-term training opportunities in manufacturing. Plus, Vermilion Advantage has taken steps to strengthening the career advisor process.
March 1, 2018
D214 Develops PaCE Framework for Counselors
The framework provides counselors with a tool that indicates what is expected for students to ensure they are making progress on meeting college and career readiness standards.
March 1, 2018
McLean County Community COMPACT Merges with BN Advantage Workforce Development Task Force
The McLean County 60 by 25 Network leadership team has taken a big step to strengthen their efforts toward the 60 by 25 goal.
March 1, 2018
Event
2018 Conference: Scaling for Impact
Equity, innovation and scaling impact emphasized at 5th Annual 60 by 25 Network Conference Jocelyn Sharif has been interested in cooking since she was a
February 2, 2018
McLean County 60 by 25 Network Collaboration Grows, Hires Coordinator
Fifteen collaborative entities are now formally involved in strategic planning regarding the 60 by 25 goal in McLean County.
December 1, 2017
HPEC Community Update
With funding from the Telligen Community Initiative, HPEC established strategic partnerships with regional healthcare employers to better align education and training with the regional workforce needs in health informatics. This work includes increasing awareness for and the adoption of apprenticeship programs that benefit both students and employers.
September 15, 2017
McLean County Adopts 60 by 25 Goal
In McLean County, over a dozen education, employer, and community entities adopted the 60 by 25 goal and have made it part of their strategic planning toward workforce development.
September 7, 2017
Dual Credit CTE Program Launches in Vermilion County
In Vermilion County, the dual credit Career and Technical Education program known as College Express started on August 21st.
September 1, 2017
Peoria Pathways to Prosperity Featured in Local Magazine
The initial success of Peoria Pathways to Prosperity has drawn attention as a promising demonstration of the community’s capacity to embrace change to meet the challenges ahead. This success was highlighted recently in Peoria Magazine.
September 1, 2017
Promoting Libraries as Learning Centers
The Starved Rock Region is focused on promoting libraries as learning centers to support their 60 by 25 goal.
September 1, 2017
HPEC Community Update
In AY 2016-17, HPEC provided healthcare career exploration field trips to students from 11 high schools, and 63 students from four high schools participated in
July 1, 2017
Peoria Update: June 2017
In AY 2016-17 Peoria Pathways to Prosperity placed sixty interns at 16 unique employers.
June 1, 2017
McLean County Embarks on Strategic Planning to Support 60 by 25 Goal
The McLean County Leadership Community effort is utilizing existing structures to promote the 60 by 25 goal, while embarking on a comprehensive strategic planning process that will help it to streamline and leverage its education to careers efforts more effectively.
June 1, 2017
First Illinois Energy Efficient Vehicle Competition Held
Districts 211 and 214, working with partners in the Golden Corridor, the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition, and employers across the region, held the first Illinois Energy Efficient Vehicle Competition on May 8th.
May 1, 2017
Event
2017 Conference: The Power of Networks
Thank you to the presenters, attendees, sponsors, and staff who participated in the 2016 Illinois 60 by 25 Network Meeting! Conference Materials 60 by 25
February 2, 2017
Event
2016 Conference: From Vision to Action
Thank you to the presenters, attendees, sponsors, and staff who participated in the 2016 Illinois 60 by 25 Network Meeting! Conference Materials Education is Everyone’s
February 2, 2016