SPRINGFIELD – On Tuesday, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) appointed State Representative Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) to serve on the Illinois Works Review Panel. Rep. Ugaste was nominated alongside House Assistant Minority Leader Brad Stephens (R-Rosemont).
“Illinois has so much going for it, especially with our hardworking workforce,” said Rep. Ugaste. “I’m proud to join this panel to cultivate our pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs in the state. The best thing we can do is have a well-educated, well-prepared and well-paid workforce. I look forward to working with my colleagues on this panel to improve Illinois’ business climate and help connect qualified individuals with fulfilling careers.”
The Illinois Works Review Panel reviews and evaluates the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program and Apprenticeship Initiative. It also reviews ideas to diversify the workforce in the construction industry in Illinois, as well as demographic data collected by the Department of Labor. The panel then reports findings and makes recommendations to the General Assembly and Department of Labor in regard to identification and evaluation of community-based organizations.
The Illinois Works Review Panel meets quarterly at minimum and each member serves 3-year terms. The Illinois Works Jobs Program Act was signed into law in 2019. Its purpose is to ensure all Illinois residents have access to State capital projects and careers in the construction industry and building trades.
Rep. Ugaste is the House Republican Spokesperson for the Labor & Commerce committee. He is also an attorney specializing in workers compensation defense.