Last Updated:
11/29/2022
Strategies for Improving Economic Mobility of Workers
On November 15 and 16, 2007, The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Economic Research and Consumer and Community Affairs Departments in partnership with the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, held a conference titled Strategies for Improving Economic Mobility of Workers.
The conference brought together researchers, community development practitioners and policymakers in an informed discussion regarding issues affecting the economic well being of low-income workers and vulnerable populations. Participants gained valuable insights from interactive research session presentations and panel discussions on the role and the effectiveness of specific programs and initiatives on education, transportation and workforce development.
Thursday, 11/15/07
7:30 AM
Registration and Breakfast
8:45 AM
Welcoming Remarks
Charles L. Evans, President and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Randall Eberts, Executive Director, Upjohn Institute for Employment Research
9:00 AM
Session I: Setting the Stage–Trends in Work, Wages and Poverty
Moderator
Maude Toussaint-Comeau, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Panelists
David Autor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Alan Berube, The Brookings Institution
Peter Gosselin, Los Angeles Times
10:00 AM
Break
10:15 AM
Session II: Spatial Mismatch–Moving to Work, Networks, Business Incentives
Moderator
William Testa, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Panelists
James Rosenbaum, Northwestern University
William Spriggs, Howard University
Robin Snyderman, Metropolitan Planning Council
Discussant
Daniel McMillen, University of Illinois
12:00 PM
Luncheon and Guest Speaker
Alex Kotlowitz, Author and Journalist
1:30 PM
Session III: Income Support, EITC, Welfare to Work
Moderator
Bhashkar Mazumber, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Panelists
Molly Dahl, Congressional Budget Office
Hilary Hoynes, University of California, Davis
Do Temporary Help Jobs Improve Labor Market Outcomes for Low-Skilled Workers?
Susan Houseman, Upjohn Institute for Employment Research
Discussant
Thomas DeLeire, University of Wisconsin
2:45 PM
Break
3:00 PM
Session IV: Workforce Development–The Power of Public/Private Partnerships
Moderator
Maria Hibbs, The Partnership for New Communities
Panelists
Evelyn Diaz, Mayor’s Office, City of Chicago
Donald Sykes, Mayor’s Office, City of Milwaukee
Brenda Palms-Barber, North Lawndale Employment Network
Bob Giloth, Annie E. Casey Foundation
4:30 PM
Keynote Lecture
Alan S. Blinder, Princeton University
5:30 PM
Cocktail Reception
Friday, 11/16/07
6:45 PM
Adjourn
8:00 AM
Continental Breakfast
9:15 AM
Session V: Evaluations of Training and Vocational Programs
Moderator
Alicia Williams, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Panelists
Robert LaLonde, University of Chicago
Burt Barnow, John Hopkins University
John Tyler, Brown University
Discussant
Kristin F. Butcher, Wellesley College
10:30 AM
Break
10:45 AM
Session VI: Financial Aid, Education, Employment Prospects
Moderator
Lisa Barrow, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Panelists
Harry J. Holzer, Georgetown University
Bridget Terry Long, Harvard University
Lashawn Richburg Hayes, MDRC
Discussant
Lisa Barrow, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
12:00 PM
Luncheon and Keynote Address
Edward Lazear, Chairman, President's Council of Economic Advisers
1:30 PM
Session VII: Where to Go From Here–Policy Panel
Moderator
Unmi Song, Lloyd A. Fry Foundation
Panelists
Bruce Meyer, University of Chicago
Greg Duncan, Northwestern University
Edwin Meléndez, New School University
2:30 PM
Adjourn
