Cohen Economic Action Plan            

The number one issue with Illinois residents has been the economy. For most people this means finding and keeping a job, and earning enough money to have a decent life.  That is why we started holding Job Fairs — to help the people of Illinois get jobs right now.

Three simple, powerful steps to jumpstart our economy:

1)    Re-stimulate the economy. Scott is committed to recruiting new businesses and manufacturers to locate in Illinois, to encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation within our great state, and to helping existing businesses to thrive.

How do we accomplish this?  With a laser focus, accountability, and action that helps both businesses and workers. We will re-build confidence in our state economy by providing an economic environment that promotes growth and spurs private businesses to hire. Scott will cut red tape and bureaucratic bottlenecks; invest in infrastructure; and support small businesses by increasing access to capital and reducing the cost of doing business in Illinois.

Cohen’s  pragmatic economic policy is not be based on fresh thinking about what matters to Illinois – a robust economy and high-paying jobs. Scott beleives that we need to implement a full-scale marketing program to attract new businesses to Illinois. If need be, he will personally “market” Illinois opportunities to other states and even other countries.

2)    Connect people with current job openings now. Scott has held Job Fairs in every corner of the state. The efficient distribution of information is crucial to helping the unemployed get jobs. Scott beleives that we need to set up a Job Database that all employers, public and private, can use to post openings. There are good jobs available now, people need easier ways to find them.

3)    Restructure Jobs Incentive Plan.   Tax breaks only go so far.   Scott belives that a cost-benefit analysis of business taxes and regulations. In order for businesses to invest long-term and create good middle-class jobs in Illinois, we must provide incentives that are more fundamental than tax breaks. We must commit to smart infrastructure investments — the most powerful incentives for businesses to move to Illinois. The infrastructure that moves people, products, capital, and information quickly, cheaply, and securely is at the heart of a thriving economy.

Iin 2009 Scott decided to run for state office when he saw then-Governor Blagojevich focusing more on his legal problems than on bringing companies and a growing economy back to Illinois. Since then, Illinois has fallen to 48th in economic performance (Illinois Policy Institute).  While exploring legislaitive opportunities, Scott will always refer to his on-going Cohen Economy Action Plan which, no matter which office he decides to focus on, will help get Illinois back on track.
With the right economic policies, Illinois can prepare the groundwork for a major industrial and technological boom. We can nurture and grow America’s next major corridor for advanced manufacturing and green technology. We now spend only a pittance on economic development in the state of Illinois. We need to do more. The Cohen Economic Action Plan provides the necessary initiative and leadership to jumpstart our economic development.

Multinational Corporation, civic leaders, and local businessmen partner to launch Englewood   Technology Center. 

On Friday, Nov 4, 2011 at 10 a.m. the Helping Other People Excel Technology and Education Center (H.O.P.E. TEC), located at 1354 W. 61st Street in Chicago, will host its grand opening.  All media and community members are welcome.

This partnership is brought together by the Center founder Rev. Leslie Sanders and includes ACS, a Xerox Company, The Prairie Group, Cricket, Rev. Walter Turner-President of the Baptist Ministers Conference, and Scott Lee Cohen, former gubernatorial candidate.

Says Rev. Sanders: The troubled economy has had a devastating effect upon our nation, but especially upon the under privileged communities on the south and west side of Chicago.  When America catches a cold, these communities catch the flu.  Many of our residents find themselves unemployed and without the necessary technological skills to compete in the emerging technology market.  The mission of the technology center is to provide public access to computers and technology training and, essential life skills training, and employment readiness training programs.

Recently a Chicago Sun-Times article headline caught the eye of former gubernatorial candidate Scott Lee Cohen.  It said: For some, leaving Englewood may be only escape from fear and death.  Scott Lee Cohen, after having much success with his Cohen Job Fairs that he has been holding since 2009, says he has now made a purposeful decision to change the course of his “jobs” initiative and focus on a spot-on solution to the unemployment woes- computer training and job placement, and help support the H.O.P.E. TEC.  Says Cohen: The answer is not to give up on Englewood; the answer is to think out-of-the-box and in doing so realize that all the resources that we need to lift up our communities are right within our reach. We just need to take that first step together.

Center Director Julie Collier says:  As a former Desktop Support Manager of IBM and a Certified Microsoft Office Specialist, the training that our students will receive will enable them to increase their technical knowledge.  Students will gain preparation for new employment opportunities, will be able to compete for jobs in the evolving technology markets, and enhance their total style of living.

The Center’s enrollment is full for this quarter and has already begun classes.

The H.O.P.E. TEC promises to demonstrate that a strong public-private-community partnership is the catalyst to a new future for communities like Englewood.

Says Fred Lebed of the Prairie Group:  Bridging the digital divide is extremely necessary, if we are to close the gap between the rich and the poor in our nation.  

Rev. Dr. Marvin Alexander is spearheading this amazing fair!  Register for free!

Improve your mind, body and bank account! We have businesses that are hiring, colleges that offer advanced education/certificates to increase job skills, and *NEW* we will have health screening available all under one roof!

Just sign up on our contact page with your name and email address and we will add you to our guest list. We will also send you event reminders and an up-to-date listing of the companies attending.

You will also be invited to join our “Blog” section (under construction) to get advice and tips from other registrants and employers. Our Job Fair Guide will be sent to you as well to help you prepare for the event.

Sign up today to attend this free event! If you are an employer who is hiring or a College who offers continuing education, please request registration materials on our Contact page. You may also  contact our office at 312-566-7752. Registration materials will be sent to you. There is no cost to participate as a vendor at the job fair. We reserve the right to screen all vendors for eligibility.

Check our “Events” page for times and places of all of our Job Fairs-

The Cohen/Union Missionary Baptist Job Fair Team