IHRE 0209 release

							News Release
February 18, 2009                              Media Contact: Gloria Guy, VP for Business Services,
                                               Illinois Chamber of Commerce, 217 522 5512, ex 234


       Even in recession, companies need strong human resource skills
           Illinois Chamber, U of I IHR certification program for human resource managers
                                    spring courses begin February 26

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Before 2008’s recession set in, more than 9,000 Illinois companies were investigated for alleged
labor law violations, sparked by employee complaints about problems ranging from wages and overtime to workplace
safety. Layoffs due to the recession may only increase those investigations if employers aren’t skilled in federal and state
labor regulations.

“Federal and Illinois labor laws can be challenging to comply with, and if your company’s human resource manager isn’t
well trained in these complexities, your company may be at risk,” said Jean Drasgow, assistant director of the Center for
Human Resource Management at the University of Illinois.

To sharpen the skills of human resource practitioners in Illinois, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce teamed up to offer the
Illinois HR Excellence program, offering day-long workshops in Chicago, Springfield and Urbana-Champaign. The
program launched in 2008 and their 2009 courses will begin on February 26. New courses in 2009 include training,
leadership development, and benefits and compensation; classes are already scheduled into July of this year.

For a limited time, the IHRE program is offering a two for one incentive: register for one course and attend a second
course free, or two people can attend from one organization for a single fee. This discount is being offered until March 1.

The program helps refresh the skills of managers and will be particularly valuable for those at smaller companies who
may have little or no formal training in HR or a degree in an unrelated field, Drasgow said.

The program will award certificates to participants who complete a series of core courses and electives, along with a final
practical project that will tackle a real-life issue, such as problems finding or retaining employees. Several professionals
who started courses in 2008 will continue toward their certification this year.

Some managers may opt to take specific workshops rather than pursing a certificate, Drasgow said. Workshops are
taught by U of I faculty, select PhD students and seasoned professionals and cost about $500 each, with a discount for
those who register for multiple workshops.

The new certification program could ultimately make Illinois a better place to work and do business, Drasgow and Illinois
Chamber officials say.

“I think better HR practices will lead to good business practices. That, in turn, will lead to more profitability, better wages
and potentially more secure jobs in these challenging times,” Drasgow said. “Productivity is enhanced by good morale,
and maybe employees will just be happier to go to work.”

For more information, call Drasgow at 217-333-0981, Gloria Guy or Liz Kerns of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce at
217-522-5512, or visit the program’s website, www.illinoishrexcellence.org.

                                                              ###