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DuPage committee approves $148,190 state grant to fund youth social‑media career outreach
Summary
The DuPage County Economic Development Committee approved a $148,190 state supplemental intergovernmental agreement to fund a paid content-creation team that will produce social-media career-exploration material targeted to young adults; members pressed staff on metrics and the June 30 funding deadline.
DuPage County’s Economic Development Committee on Nov. 18 approved FIR 0193‑25, an intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity worth $148,190 to create a youth‑focused social‑media career‑exploration program.
Lisa, the staff lead on the project, told the committee that the funds are state general revenue, “not WIOA dollars,” and represent the third batch of state supplemental funds the county has received. She said the money will “largely be used to pay the wages of a content creation team of young adult content creators” who will produce short videos and social‑media material that highlight career paths students might not otherwise see.
The committee heard that the team will be small and locally hired. Lisa said three content creators have been hired or are in onboarding, and a fourth content‑coordinator role will provide program support. County marketing and communications staff will oversee the effort and establish metrics.
Members asked how the project would grow new channels from zero followers and what success would look like. Member Martinez asked, “So this is for content creation… How are you going to increase those followers?” Lisa said the team will work with the regional office of education, high schools and middle schools, and youth service providers such as Naperville Youth 360 and Team Parent Connection, and that county social media and partner networks will be used to drive organic reach. Lisa said she had proposed a goal of roughly “a thousand” followers in communications to the state but that formal metrics were still in development.
The staff presentation emphasized sector breadth: the content will showcase health‑care technician roles, manufacturing and other technical occupations as well as trade careers. An unidentified committee member noted national reporting that trade‑school enrollment is far lower than college enrollment and asked whether the campaign would target trades; Lisa said it would include those roles and highlighted a Downers Grove employer that does fire‑suppression systems as an example of an unfamiliar technician job the project might feature.
Committee members also raised timing concerns. Lisa reminded the panel that the state funds expire June 30, which limits the window to establish channels and demonstrate reach. On the question of paid amplification, Member Heather asked whether funds could be used for social‑media ads; Lisa said boosting and paid ads were included in the budget to increase reach.
The committee approved FIR 0193‑25 and, during the same meeting, voted to approve routine items including minutes from Oct. 21, 2025; an incumbent worker training item for AdventHealth; and a one‑year CDW purchase order for Microsoft 365 and Intune licenses not to exceed $20,280 for 2026.
The committee adjourned after brief closing remarks and noted it will not meet in December for winter break.
