This past October Senator Harris attended a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Canadian National (CN) Railway Company’s U.S. employee training facility in Homewood, Illinois. The state of the art facility is one of two centers being built as part of a comprehensive, company-wide CN initiative designed to revitalize job training for existing and new employees.

The facility is intended to give students new skills and hands-on training for all key railway jobs. The company is looking to hire 3000 employees across their North American network this year. This suburban Chicago facility is sure to bring good things to the 15th district.

On Monday, Governor Rauner signed an executive order requiring labor unions and companies that do business with the state to report on how many minorities and veterans participate in apprenticeship and training programs.

State Senator Emil Jones III, Chairman of the Senate Black Caucus, had this to say:

“Governor Rauner’s executive order to review minority contracting statistics shows his willingness to tackle tough issues facing diverse communities,” Senator Jones said. “For years, members of the Black Caucus have created laws aimed at leveling the playing field for minority contractors.

“It looks as if Governor Rauner is willing to listen to our concerns and work toward establishing tangible results.”

The Senate Black Caucus has been instrumental in moving legislation forward to increase business opportunities for minority contractors and views this executive order as a step in the right direction.

State Senator Napoleon Harris III (D –Dixmoor) recently hosted a Minority Contractors Business Summit to learn what issues minority businesses face, in hopes of finding legislative answers.

“Members of the minority business community voiced their opinions about challenges they experience when bidding on state work,” Senator Harris said. “This legislative session, the Black Caucus and I will work together to pass measures to increase opportunities for minority businesses who contract work from the state.”

In the coming weeks, the Senate Black Caucus will host a press conference unveiling their 2015 legislative agenda.