Western Illinois Works for You

Serving Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough and Warren Counties



WIOA Services

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 provides a unique national workforce preparation and employment system designed to meet both the needs of the nation's businesses and the needs of job seekers and those who want to further their careers.

Youth Services

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Adult Services

Individuals age 18 and older may be served under the Adult program.  Adult services include job search assistance, referral to other appropriate agencies and services, comprehensive assessments and development of individual employment plans, career planning, job readiness training, occupational skills training, vocational training* (up to a maximum of two years), on-the-job training, customized training, incumbent worker training, support services during training and follow up services.

*Note:  Vocational training must be in growth-rate occupations.  WIA defines growth-rate occupations as occupations having an annual increase of 1.464% job openings.  Examples of growth-rate occupations include computer programs, dental hygienists, physical therapy assistants, nursing aides and automotive mechanics.

Dislocated Worker

Provides services similar to the Adult programs, but unlike the Adult program, family income is not used to determine eligibility.  Dislocated workers are individuals who:  have been laid off or terminated due to plant closure or mass layoff; are unemployed through no fault of their own.  Self-employed individuals and displaced homemakers may also be eligible.  Temporary layoffs do not qualify; the job loss must be permanent.  The program is designed to train/retrain dislocated workers and assist in their transition to new employment.



Anyone enrolled in WIA Services must be a citizen of or authorized to work in the United States and registered with selective service if male, over 18 years of age and born after December 29, 1959.  Applications for WIA services must be signed by a parent or guardian for anone under the age of 18.  Additional eligibility criteria varies by program title.

Youth Eligibility Requirements

Must be income eligible, with the exception of youth enrolled under the 5% window policy (see income guidelines and 5% window policy below), which can include individuals with disabilities or special education students and foster children (which are considered a family of one for the purpose of income eligibility determination).  Families receiving Food Stamps or TANF are also eligible.  In addition to being income eligible, they must possess at least one of the following barriers:

  1. Deficient in basic literacy skills

  2. A school dropout

  3. Homeless / a runaway or a / foster child

  4. Pregnant or a parenting youth

  5. An offender

  6. An individual who requires additional assistance to complete an educational program, or to secure and hold employment.  Which has been locally identified as one of the following:

  • Member in a single parent household

  • Individual who lacks significant work experience

  • In or has completed substance abuse treatment

  • Individual who has not completed a high school diploma or GED


Must be 18 years of age and be income eligible which may include individuals with disabilities (which are considered a family of one for the purpose of income eligibility determination).  Individuals receiving Food Stamps or TANF are also eligible.

Dislocated Workers

Lost employment due to a plant closure or mass layoff