Workforce Solutions Program (formerly TIFWorks)
Chicago reimbursement grants for employee training. The current public program page advertises up to $250,000 and up to 100% of eligible training expenses. Bond-funded applications outside eligible TIF districts run October 1–30, 2026; eligible TIF-funded projects may apply year-round.
Check an Address — Free Snapshot
Explore location-based incentives alongside Workforce Solutions Program (formerly TIFWorks). This program requires a separate review of its business or project requirements.
Published criteria — confirm with City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development
- Chicago employer (citywide since Feb 1, 2026; TIF-district businesses apply year-round, non-TIF quarterly)
- Commercial or industrial employer investing in employee training/onboarding
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 whether a specific address falls inside a mapped zone always depends on that exact address. The fastest way to check is to run a free snapshot for the parcel you have in mind — mapped coverage is a location signal, not an eligibility determination.
Range on file · Up to $250,000; up to 100% of eligible training expenses
Current published terms as of 2026-10-09
- +Reimbursement for approved training of current employees and new hires
- +Published grant maximum of $250,000, with up to 100% of eligible expenses
- +Eligible TIF-funded projects: year-round intake; bond-funded projects: quarterly windows
Application timing can change. Verify current availability and instructions with the administering agency before relying on this program.
Verify current status on the official source- 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 2026-10-09
Tax Increment Financing captures growth in property tax revenue within designated districts and reinvests it into local improvements like infrastructure, streetscaping, and building rehabilitation. Chicago has 124 active TIF districts (Civic Federation, 2025).
SomerCor administers TIF-funded reimbursement grants for permanent commercial and industrial building improvements. Applications follow district-specific monthly windows; confirm the current district calendar before applying.
Special Service Areas are localized taxing districts where businesses self-tax to fund enhanced services — streetscaping, marketing, security, facade improvements — within a defined commercial corridor. Chicago has 58 active SSAs citywide, each managed by a delegate service provider (a local chamber, EDO, or nonprofit).
Reimbursement grants for eligible commercial and industrial projects in designated areas of Chicago’s South, Southwest and West Sides. DPD and the program administrator confirm project requirements and current intake.