SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — 37th District State Senator Chuck Weaver of Peoria was appointed Thursday to serve on the Diversity Task Force for three business groups.
The Republican was named as a part of the advisory board for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, Minority Business Enterprises, and Women Business Enterprises.
The Task Force came from Senate Resolution 259 out of a need to help businesses who “are often unable to compete… because of capacity issues, lack of access, and available capital resources.”
“I’ve been always passionate about how I can help minorities get into the workforce,” Weaver said.
“What came out of this is the fact the capital bill is going to require minorities in the workforce as well as women and also other disadvantaged groups, so this Task Force has been set to determine the best ways we can get those folks into the workforce and help them become better employed.”
Weaver added his own professional background can be an asset.
“I’ve been an employer since a young age. Worked in the fast food business [and] understand what it takes to take a minimum wage worker and turn him into, in my case, an assistant manager or general manager,” he said.
“Just the training you can bring not only in soft skills, but also specific tasks needed in a particular job you’re training people for.”
The Task Force is scheduled to meet at various points throughout 2019 and 2020 to discuss solutions for businesses it serves, with a final report due in July 2020 to the State Senate.
