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Illinois Eastern Community Colleges is mobilizing campus and community resources to support workers and families impacted by the sudden closure of Champion Laboratories in Albion.
IECC — including Frontier Community College, Lincoln Trail College, Olney Central College and Wabash Valley College — is coordinating training opportunities, financial assistance and career services to assist the more than 1,000 affected employees during this uncertain time.
“For many, this is a deeply difficult moment, and I believe it is a moment where IECC needs to step forward to lend assistance,” said IECC Chancellor Dr. Ryan Gower. “We are not simply a collection of campuses and programs. We are part of the economic infrastructure of this region. When a major employer closes, we have a responsibility to step in and assist.”
A series of informational workshops have been scheduled to help employees of Champion Labs learn about services available under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. These sessions will provide clear guidance on unemployment benefits, health insurance coverage, 401K and retirement benefits, utility assistance and training and education opportunities.
Presenters include the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Southern 14 Workforce Investment Board, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, U.S. Department of Labor/Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
Meetings will be held in the Workforce Building at Frontier Community College on the following dates:
- Thursday, March 5 at 10 a.m. — Last names beginning with A-E
- Thursday, March 5 at 1:30 p.m. — Last names beginning with F-J
- Friday, March 6 at 10 a.m. — Last names beginning with K-O
- Friday, March 6 at 1:30 p.m. — Last names beginning with P-T
- Monday, March 9 at 10 a.m. — Last names beginning with U-Z
- Monday, March 9 at 1:30 p.m. — Anyone unable to attend a previous session
IECC staff and workforce partners will be available to answer questions and help individuals as they move forward. Those unable to attend are encouraged to schedule a one-on-one appointment with an advisor at any IECC campus.
In addition, IECC is developing fast-track training options designed to help displaced workers return to the workforce as quickly as possible. These opportunities in industrial and manufacturing technology, logistics and healthcare entry roles offer completion times ranging from just a few days to one semester.
Detailed information regarding training options and financial assistance will be provided during the meetings. Additional information and resources are available on the IECC website at www.iecc.edu/championlabs.
Dr. Sharmila Kakac, FCC President and IECC Vice Chancellor of Business and Industry, encourages affected employees to participate in the upcoming meetings and to take full advantage of the many resources available.
“No one should feel they have to navigate this transition alone,” she said. “IECC and our workforce partners stand ready to provide personalized, one-on-one assistance. Whether someone needs immediate employment support or is considering new training or credentials, we are here to help them move forward with confidence. Taking that first step can open doors to opportunities many may not have previously considered.”