SPRINGFIELD – People interested in a career in construction can receive training and other assistance through HIRE360, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) announced Tuesday.

“With Illinois unemployment at a record low, businesses are looking for qualified candidates to fill well-paying job positions,” said Fine. “Career training could help some people stand out to potential employers.”

Chicago developers, general contractors, local labor unions and the United Way of Metro Chicago partnered to create HIRE360, a program that empowers underrepresented individuals to pursue union careers.

The program offers test preparation, funds to buy needed supplies for apprenticeships, job referrals and more assistance to those interested in union construction careers.

Although HIRE360 currently only offers job services in the construction industry, the program plans to expand to other unionized fields, like manufacturing and hospitality sectors, in the coming months.

“Going through a career training program is the first step toward a great career,” said Fine. “This kind of help could put a union job within reach.”

Interested candidates can sign up for construction trades readiness training with HIRE360 here.

The 9th District encompasses part of northern Cook County and includes all or portions of Chicago, Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Golf, Kenilworth, Morton Grove, Niles, Northbrook, Northfield, Skokie, Wilmette and Winnetka.

State Senator Laura Fine has served in the Illinois Senate since 2018. She represents the 9^th Senate District that includes all or portions of Evanston, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Golf, Glenview, Skokie, Chicago and Northbrook.

Senator Fine currently serves as chair of the Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee, vice-chair of the Senate Insurance Committee, sub-vice-chair of the Senate Workers Compensation Committee, and is a member of the Environment and Conservation, Health and Human Services, Judiciary, and Public Health Committees.  

Prior to serving in the state Senate, Senator Fine served as the State Representative in the 17th District. She was an instructor in the Political Science Department at Northeastern Illinois University and served as the Clerk of Northfield Township. She has also worked as a journalist in radio and television news for various media outlets throughout the Midwest.

Senator Fine earned her B.A. in telecommunications from Indiana University and an M.A. in political science from Northeastern Illinois University. She is a graduate of the Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership and the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development. She is also an Edgar Fellow, Milbank Fellow, and Henry Toll Fellow. Fine is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Glenview- Northbrook, the Rotary Club of Glenview Sunrise, the Glenview/Glencoe League of Women Voters, the Legislative Committee of the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission, and most recently was elected chair of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus whose mission is to create policies to restore, and protect the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River basin.

Senator Fine resides in Glenview with her husband, Michael. They have two sons.