Congressman García Defends Job Corps at Chicago City Council Hearing
CHICAGO — Today, Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) appeared before the Chicago City Council’s Committee on Workforce Development to deliver testimony against the Trump administration’s attempt to illegally shut down Job Corps programs nationwide—including Paul Simon Job Corps Center, located in his district and serving youth across the Chicagoland region.
The Paul Simon Job Corps Center provides critical career and technical education to youth ages 16 to 24, offering training in high-demand industries including carpentry, pharmacy tech, protective services, and many more. Many students come from underserved communities.
“I fully support the continued federal, state, and local funding for the Paul Simon Job Corps Center and all Job Corps programs,” said Congressman García. “We must do everything in our power to protect these vital programs nationwide. They make the difference between putting food on the table, a stable home, and living with uncertainty. Simply put, these job opportunities are a lifeline.”
“Whether it’s the Bricklayers, Carpenters, or Teamsters—my union brothers and sisters also know we need a strong workforce and we’ve all got to do our part,” said the Congressman. “Our youth deserve an opportunity. And our community demands it. And all of us—public servants, workforce partners, and community members—must come together to defend these life-changing programs.
“If we are serious about being a competitive global leader, we need a diverse workforce, and that starts with investing in our youth,” added Congressman García.
Congressman García, a champion of youth workforce development, recently joined 198 colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer demanding the administration follow the law and continue funding Job Corps as already authorized and funded by Congress. He also submitted a letter to members of the Committee expressing his strong support for Job Corps. The letter can be found here.
A video of the Congressman’s testimony can be found here, starting at 45:40.
Background
On May 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) abruptly announced the suspension of operations at all contractor-operated Job Corps centers nationwide. The shutdown–scheduled for June 30–would have impacted 99 programs.
The DOL cited “serious incident reports” and cost concerns, referencing an “in-depth fiscal analysis,” relying on outdated COVID-era figures, while ignoring current need and demand. \
The National Job Corps Association sued to block closures. A U.S. district judge in Manhattan ruled in favor of the Association, finding that the abrupt shuttering of the 60-year-old Job Corps program without authorization from Congress was likely illegal. The judge issued a preliminary injunction preventing DOL from ending the program pending the outcome of the lawsuit. It is unclear how the recent Supreme Court case Trump v. Casa, Inc., which banned nationwide injunctions, will impact this case.
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