McKinley Park Neighborhood Plan

In order to prosper economically and sustain a high quality of life, McKinley Park needs to maintain a diversity of business types, a skilled workforce, and the capacity to adapt and grow. Preparing McKinley Park residents for good jobs requires access to a range of quality training and education programs for people with different educational needs. Local service providers should work together to ensure that all of McKinley Park’s residents have equitable access to education and career development opportunities.

Establish the role of a workforce development coordinator to identify resources and connect workforce training providers and educational institutions with employers

Preparing our residents for the jobs of the future is essential for them to stay competitive throughout their careers. McKinley Park already has a number of resources available for parents, students, business owners, and job seekers that residents can take advantage of. For example, the McKinley Park Library offers resources on becoming a citizen, homework help for children and their parents, computers and wifi, and materials available in Chinese and Spanish. Another resource is 36Squared, a nonprofit organization offering onsite training, classes, and one-on-one counseling to help local entrepreneurs grow their businesses. These types of services are abundant in and around McKinley Park — they just need to be more visible. In order to make residents more aware of these types of services, the plan recommends that these organizations market their programs more heavily within McKinley Park. It is also recommended that organizations collaborate and partner with one another on various events throughout the year to strengthen the workforce development network in McKinley Park. One idea is to host an annual workforce development day in McKinley Park that provides residents with the education, tools, and resources they will need in their careers. 

Another resource that MPDC should consider is the Chicago Citywide Literacy Coalition’s (CCLC) career pathways navigator. The CCLC’s mission is to help Chicago’s adult education organizations secure resources and training so that underserved adult learners can become economically successful. The CCLC reframes adult basic education as a critical public policy issue. Their career pathways navigator is based out of the Near West American Job Center (AJC) in Pilsen and connects adults that enter the AJC to adult education services. They collaborate with 13 other organizations in the area, including A Safe Haven, Literacy Chicago, and Richard J. Daley College. McKinley Park residents can take advantage of their services as they work to gain the skills needed for employment.

Continue to support and coordinate English as a Second Language (ESL) training and new occupational programs

McKinley Park has some outstanding resources for ESL learners and job seekers.

• The Aquinas Literacy Center offers a variety of programs for English-language learners, including one-on-one tutoring, small group instruction, conversation classes, family literacy nights, and a summer program for children.
• National Latino Education Institute (NLEI) offers training programs that are nationally accredited, recognized, and approved by the Illinois State Board of Education and the U.S. Department of Education. Their goal is to provide quality workforce initiatives leading to economic independence for Latinos.
• The McKinley Park Library provides an array of resources and services, with community space and programs for all ages. Additionally, the library features Chinese-language and Spanish-language materials and a “Citizens Corner” that offers English as a Second Language classes, citizenship workshops, and a wide selection of materials on immigration and U.S. citizenship.
• The City of Chicago’s One Summer Chicago jobs program provides youth with employment and enrichment opportunities during the summer months.
• The Chicago Urban League offers a number of workforce development programs, such as the Transportation Construction Apprenticeship Readiness Training and a transitional job Training program in partnership with the Chicago Housing Authority.

Encourage businesses to hire local residents, and identify and address the barriers to doing so

There are many benefits to hiring locally. Local residents can more easily attend in-person interviews and likely have local references to provide recommendations. People who live in the neighborhood will also have a greater knowledge of local networks and resources. Having a local job also means shorter and often cheaper commutes. Lastly, people who live in the neighborhood will likely be more invested in the success of local organizations, schools, and businesses.

From "ComEd Tools of the Trade Builds Hands-On Career Skills in Young Learners," published September 26, 2019, in the McKinley Park News.There are a few barriers to hiring locals that should be considered. First, people with the necessary job skills could be limited. The applicant pool will naturally be smaller in a local setting, and there might not be as many residents with specific work experiences and skills. Another potential barrier is that local applicants might not understand the company’s values or standard practices. Unlike an internal hire or a candidate with the exact qualifications and experience, there will most likely be a steeper learning curve for local hires, especially if they enter a new field of work. While this might require more training and effort initially, there is a greater chance of long-term success due to the benefits mentioned above.

The plan recommends posting job opportunities in central locations with high visibility, such as community job boards (typically found at local grocery stores, libraries, community centers, and schools) and online platforms that receive a lot of local traffic. Using local networks for recruitment purposes will better ensure that local jobs are going to people who live in the neighborhood.

Chicago Anchors for a Strong Economy (CASE) is an excellent resource for employers. Their mission is to create inclusive economic growth by leveraging the buying power of small businesses, community partners, and anchor institutions to collectively impact neighborhoods in Chicago. Using an online matchmaking software called SCALE, they assess businesses’ readiness to service large contracts and provide direct access to contract opportunities with anchor institutions. Anchor institutions near McKinley Park include the University of Illinois at Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University, University of Illinois Hospital, and Mercy Hospital and Medical Center.

The ultimate goal of hiring local residents is to ensure that people can access jobs near where they live. Living close to work has been proven to reduce traffic congestion, travel costs, and pollution; increase productivity; minimize stress; create a better work-life balance; and improve quality of life. Organizations, schools, and businesses should seek opportunities to hire locals when possible.

Other Strategies

• Expand access to City of Chicago services for McKinley Park’s residents with limited English proficiency
• Prepare residents for employment in growing sectors that offer middle- skill, middle-wage job opportunities
• Increase the impact of existing local wealth-building programs to help residents