(20 ILCS 730/5-65)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on September 15, 2045)

Sec. 5-65. Energy Workforce Advisory Council.

(a) The Energy Workforce Advisory Council is hereby created within the Department.

(b) The Council shall consist of the following voting members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, chosen to ensure diverse geographic representation:

(1) two members representing trade associations representing companies active in the clean energy industries;

(2) two members representing a labor union;

(3) one member who has participated in the workforce development programs created under this Act;

(4) two members representing higher education;

(5) two members representing economic development organizations;

(6) two members representing local workforce innovation boards;

(7) two residents of environmental justice communities;

(8) three members from community-based organizations in environmental justice communities and community-based organizations serving low-income persons and families;

(9) two members who are policy or implementation experts on small business development, contractor incubation, or small business lending and financing needs;

(10) two members who are policy or implementation experts on workforce development for populations and individuals such as low-income persons and families, environmental justice communities, BIPOC communities, formerly convicted persons, persons who are or were in the child welfare system, energy workers, gender nonconforming and transgender individuals, and youth; and

(11) two representatives of clean energy businesses, nonprofit organizations, or other groups that provide clean energy.

The President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives shall each appoint 2 nonvoting members of the Council.

(c) The Council shall:

(1) coordinate and inform on worker and contractor support priorities beyond current federal, State, local, and private programs and resources;

(2) advise and produce recommendations for further federal, State, and local programs and activities;

(3) fulfill other duties determined by the Council to further the success of the Workforce Hubs, Incubators, and Returning Residents Programs;

(4) review program performance metrics;

(5) provide recommendations to the Department on the administration of the following programs:

(i) the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program;

(ii) the Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program;

(iii) the Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program;

(iv) the Returning Residents Clean Jobs Training Program; and

(v) the Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program;

(6) recommend outreach opportunities to ensure that program contracting, training, and other opportunities are widely publicized;

(7) participate in independent program evaluations; and

(8) assist the Department by providing insight into how relevant State, local, and federal programs are viewed by residents, businesses, and institutions within their respective communities.

(d) The Council shall conduct its first meeting within 30 days after all members have been appointed. The Council shall meet quarterly after its first meeting. Additional hearings and public meetings are permitted at the discretion of the members. The Council may meet in person or through video or audio conference. Meeting times may be varied to accommodate Council member schedules.

(e) Members shall serve without compensation and shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties from funds appropriated for that purpose.

(Source: P.A. 102-662, eff. 9-15-21.)