Testimony: Lawmakers can help workers sustain careers through an evolving economy


House Bill 4882 was supported with written testimony by Josh Bandoch, head of policy at Illinois Policy.

The Illinois House of Representatives’ Labor and Commerce Committee unanimously passed HB4882, the Future of Work Act of 2026, on March 25. The measure now could be called in the full House.

The bill was supported with written testimony by Josh Bandoch, head of policy at Illinois Policy.

Comments on supporting the Future of Work Act of 2026:

Today we can support fairness and opportunity by supporting HB4882.

The nature of work is constantly changing because of innovation, technology, economic

changes and other developments. It is vital that Illinois workers are prepared to meet these changes so they can sustain their careers throughout an evolving economy. The alternative is that workers fall off the economic ladder through no fault of their own.

How dramatic are the changes we can expect to the future of work? One report from two

Oxford professors estimated that 47% of total employment in the U.S. is at risk during the next decade. The McKinsey Global Institute estimates that across eight high-income countries, including the United States, “more than 100 million workers, or 1 in 16, will need to find a different occupation by 2030.”

As technology changes Illinois’ job market, lacking consistent data on long-term

trends risks training workers for yesterday’s jobs instead of tomorrow’s.

That’s why I’m testifying in favor of HB4882 to require the release of a publicly and electronically available “Future of Work” in Illinois report every five years.

The best way to protect workers is to ensure they have the skills necessary to continue to thrive.

Regular reporting on how work will evolve helps businesses and policymakers keep

Illinois competitive, better prepare students and workers for the future, and ensure that today’s progress against poverty isn’t lost tomorrow.

The good news is that Illinois has done this sort of report before. In 2021, Illinois Public Act 102-0407 created the temporary Future of Work Task Force, which in 2022

delivered one report assessing workforce trends from technological, demographic and industry changes. However, the task force expired after delivering its report, and the act sunset in 2024.

As a result, Illinois lost a foresight and planning tool that could be used to keep pace with an economy in rapid transition.

We need to help future-proof Illinois jobs. That’s what this bill does. It establishes regular reporting on how technology, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology and quantum computing, is reshaping Illinois industries.

It aids alignment between education and employment by identifying in-demand professions and skills.

It helps spot opportunities for new apprenticeships and specialized, post-secondary training programs, which expand pathways to employment.

It supports businesses, educators and lawmakers in designing policies to get ahead of new

technologies, not fall behind them.

A vote for this bill is a vote to expand opportunity, protect workers from coming changes, and help our economy continue to grow.