ESAB December 11 2025 Minutes

Illinois Employment Security Advisory Board 
Video/Teleconference Meeting 
December 11, 2025 
10:00 A.M. 

Board Attendees: 
WebEx/Phone:  Kelli Harrison, Joanna Webb-Gauvin, Noah Finley, Christelle Khalaf, Rob Karr, Pat Devaney,Mark Denzler, Jim Argionis, Meg Bates, Rick Terven 

With a quorum of the members present, the meeting was called to order by Chairman Argionis 

1. Introductions (Jim Argionis)

IDES continues to participate in media briefings, and to that extent, if you are a reporter or member of the media with a media request or question, please submit those to the Department’s PIO, Rebecca Cisco. She can be reached at Rebecca.Cisco@Illinois.gov.

Last week, Board member John Easton, representing the Public, submitted his resignation from the ESAB. John is stepping away to focus on other more pressing matters as he nears retirement from a storied career in university education. He served for over 10 years as an enthusiastic and committed board member and was a valuable source of insight in our discussions. I think I speak for the entire Board in saying he will be greatly missed. 

2. Minutes from Prior Meeting (Jim Argionis)

The minutes from the September 2025 ESAB meeting were reviewed. Chairman Argionis called for a rollcall vote to approve the minutes as final. Board member Joahnna Webb-Gauvin seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

3. Director’s Comments (Ray Marchiori) 

Thank you, Chairman Argionis. Good morning and thank you to all the board members. Welcome to the quarterly Employment Security Advisory board meeting. As always, we appreciate the opportunity to meet today. 

I’m joined today by my IDES colleagues, some of whom you will be hearing from shortly, including Brett Cox, CFO, and Marty Johnson the Department’s Director of Labor Market Information, who will share financial, Trust Fund, and economic outlook activities. 

Before we move to those reports I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all of you. We appreciate your service and support. As we reflect on this past year, the Department continued to build on our past accomplishments and expand progress in working toward our goal of adapting to the evolving needs of those we serve. IDES prioritized initiatives for continuous improvements, evaluated internal requirements for programs, maintained responsible fiscal management, and invested in technology-based solutions for system improvements. While we have made tremendous strides in modernization efforts and service upgrades, we remain committed to innovation and maintaining the momentum for future strategic improvements. In the year ahead, we will continue the work in bringing key projects across the finish line as we continue to explore opportunities for future advancements. 

I want to express my thanks and deep appreciation for the work that is being carried out every day in creating real inroads for building the foundation of the future. I want to thank all my IDES colleagues across the state and recognize them for the work they do every day on behalf of our department. 

I am grateful to work alongside you in carrying out the Department’s mission. Thanks to everyone for your time today. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday season! 

I will hand it back to you Chair Argionis. Thanks again. 

4. Revenue Update (Brett Cox) 

Activity in the Trust Fund continues tracking closely with projections discussed in previous ESAB meetings. The Trust Fund balance was $1.75 billion at the end of November.

5. Quarterly Financials Presentation (Marty Johnson) 

The state’s UTF account ended the 4th quarter of 2024 with a positive balance of $1.57B. As the projections provided today indicate, the account is expected to run a revenue deficit in each year of the forecast (2025-2028). With regard to the final net trust fund balance, under the baseline projection, the year-end balance is projected to be a positive balance of $1.55B in 2025 and a positive balance of $0.54B in 2028 – the extent of the forecast horizon. 

6. Open Discussion 

Board member Christelle Khalaf asked Marty Johnson whether a recent promotion for the WorkShare Illinois program she saw recently was related to any Department information concerning WARN act notices or other developments. Marty said that the message related to an ongoing marketing campaign to increase awareness of the Workshare Illinois program among business owners and economic development professionals in the state. Further, she noted that it was not in response to any recent economic indicators, but rather a continuation of a marketing effort that IDES has been pursuing in partnership with DCEO for about 2 years. 

7. Adjournment 

A motion was made by Chairman Argionis to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Mark Denler and the rollcall vote unanimously voted to adjourn.