Workforce Solutions Program (formerly TIFWorks)
DPD reimbursement grant for employee training and onboarding costs. Created in 2002 as TIFWorks; expanded citywide February 1, 2026. Standard cap $250,000; up to $500,000 for extraordinary community impact. 100% reimbursement for small commercial businesses (gross sales ≤$1.5M/yr, 3-yr avg) or small industrial employers (≤40 FTE); 25–50% match required above those thresholds. Non-TIF businesses apply in quarterly windows (Q3 2026 window opened July 1, 2026). Businesses inside funded TIF districts may apply year-round.
Check an Address — Free Snapshot
See whether a specific Chicago address sits inside the area that unlocks Workforce Solutions Program (formerly TIFWorks), alongside every other incentive that touches that parcel.
Chicago employers — commercial or industrial — investing in training or onboarding current or new employees. Both TIF and non-TIF businesses eligible since Feb 1, 2026. Smaller businesses (≤$1.5M gross sales or ≤40 FTE) receive 100% reimbursement; larger businesses require a 25–50% match.
Workforce Solutions Program (formerly TIFWorks) is administered at the city level. Depending on the program, eligibility may depend on the specific location, property type, or business activity rather than a single drawn boundary.
Boundaries are precise and change over time, so exact eligibility always depends on the specific address. The fastest way to know is to run a free snapshot for the parcel you have in mind.
Typical range · Up to $250K (standard) / $500K (extraordinary impact); 100% or 25–50% match depending on business size
- +Up to $250,000 reimbursement (standard); up to $500,000 for extraordinary community impact
- +100% reimbursement for commercial businesses with gross sales ≤$1.5M (3-yr avg)
- +100% reimbursement for industrial businesses with ≤40 FTE
- +25–50% match required for larger businesses above those thresholds
- +Covers employee training, onboarding, and upskilling costs
- +Citywide since Feb 1, 2026 (not TIF-restricted)
- 1Check the quarterly application window — non-TIF businesses: Q3 2026 window open now (July 1, 2026)
- 2TIF-district businesses: apply year-round via DPD Submittable portal
- 3Submit training plan, employee roster, budget, and financial statements
- 4DPD reviews and issues reimbursement agreement
- 5Complete training and submit invoices for reimbursement
Submit via DPD Submittable portal — Q3 2026 non-TIF window is open now
- Training plan and curriculum
- Employee roster (showing FTE count for industrial applicants)
- Business financial statements (3-yr gross sales for commercial applicants)
- Invoices and proof of completed training
- W-9 and certificate of insurance
This page is a starting point, not eligibility, legal, or tax advice. Verify current requirements, deadlines, and boundaries with the administering agency before applying or spending money — program rules and funding change over time.
- Confirm the current funding cycle and your TIF district — City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development
Funding runs in cycles tied to TIF districts. Confirm the current cycle and your district's eligibility before building a training plan.
- Phone
- (312) 744-4190
- Web
- Visit site ↗
Last verified 2026-07-10
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