Illinois Aims to Determine Optimal College Degree and Workforce Credential Levels

State group to analyze labor market needs and set attainment goals for 2040

Mar. 13, 2026 at 9:33pm

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Illinois officials have established a new state group to analyze the state's changing labor market and workforce needs, and determine the optimal share of Illinois adults who should have a college degree, workforce credential, or other post-high school training by 2040. The group will work with experts and stakeholders across education, workforce development, and the private sector to guide state investments, help colleges and trade schools decide program offerings, and inform high school career prep courses.

Why it matters

Setting the right degree and credential attainment goals is critical for ensuring Illinois workers remain economically competitive through 2040. The decisions will impact state funding, education program offerings, and the career preparation of high school students. Addressing persistent racial, regional, and socioeconomic disparities in attainment will also be a key focus.

The details

The new state group was established by an executive order signed by Gov. JB Pritzker. It will include representatives from Illinois' higher education board, community college board, K-12 education agency, and state workforce and employment agencies. The group will hold meetings across the state and solicit input from colleges, employers, local workforce boards, labor unions, and students. By December 1, the group will recommend the optimal share of Illinois adults who should have a college degree, workforce credential, or other post-high school training by 2040.

  • Gov. Pritzker signed the executive order establishing the new state group on March 13, 2026.
  • The group has until December 1, 2026 to provide its recommendations to the governor.

The players

JB Pritzker

The governor of Illinois who signed the executive order establishing the new state group.

Martin Torres

The deputy governor for education in Illinois, who will be involved in the state group's work.

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What they’re saying

“We're looking at where we are today and coming together with stakeholders from across the state — from governments, from the private sector, from our post-secondary institutions — to figure out a path about how to prepare our workers for the future.”

— Martin Torres, Deputy Governor for Education (WBEZ)

What’s next

The new state group will hold meetings across Illinois and solicit input from various stakeholders before providing its recommendations to the governor by December 1, 2026.

The takeaway

Illinois is taking a proactive approach to determining the optimal levels of college degrees and workforce credentials needed to keep the state's workforce competitive through 2040. The decisions made by this new state group will have far-reaching impacts on education program offerings, state funding, and the career preparation of high school students across Illinois.