102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB5385
 
Introduced 1/31/2022, by Rep. Dave Vella
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 

 
20 ILCS 2805/16 new

     Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Requires the Department of Veterans' Affairs to contract with a non-profit organization to serve as the State's principal assistance organization under the United States Department of Defense's SkillBridge program for employers and transitioning service members. Provides that the selected  non-profit organization must demonstrate a commitment to assisting service members as they transition from military to civilian life. Provides that as the State's principal assistance organization under the United States Department of Defense's SkillBridge program for qualified businesses in this State and for transitioning service members who reside in, or who wish to reside in, this State, the organization shall: (1) establish and maintain, as applicable, its certification for the SkillBridge program or any other similar workforce training and transition programs established by the United States Department of Defense; (2) educate businesses, business associations, and transitioning service members regarding the SkillBridge program and its benefits, and educate military command and personnel within the State on the opportunities available to transitioning service members through the SkillBridge program; (3) assist businesses in obtaining approval for skilled workforce training curricula under the SkillBridge program, including, but not limited to, apprenticeships, internships, or fellowships; and (4) match transitioning service members who are deemed eligible for SkillBridge participation by their military command with training opportunities offered by the organization or participating businesses, with the intent of having transitioning service members achieve gainful employment in this State upon completion of their SkillBridge training. Permits the Department to adopt rules.
  


LRB102 25091 KTG 34351 b

 
 
A BILL FOR
 

  
HB5385LRB102 25091 KTG 34351 b


  
1    AN ACT concerning State government.
  
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
3represented in the General Assembly:
  
 
 
4    Section 5. The Department of Veterans' Affairs Act is 
5amended  by adding Section 16 as follows:
 
6    (20 ILCS 2805/16 new)
7    Sec. 16. SkillBridge program. The Department shall 
8contract with a non-profit organization to serve as the 
9State's principal assistance organization under the United 
10States Department of Defense's SkillBridge program for 
11employers and transitioning service members. The selected 
12non-profit organization must demonstrate a commitment to 
13assisting service members as they transition from military to 
14civilian life. As the State's principal assistance 
15organization under the United States Department of Defense's 
16SkillBridge program for qualified businesses in this State and 
17for transitioning service members who reside in, or who wish 
18to reside in, this State, the organization shall:
19        (1) establish and maintain, as applicable, its 
20    certification for the SkillBridge program or any other 
21    similar workforce training and transition programs 
22    established by the United States Department of Defense;
23        (2) educate businesses, business associations, and 
 
 
HB5385- 2 -LRB102 25091 KTG 34351 b

1    transitioning service members regarding the SkillBridge 
2    program and its benefits, and educate military command and 
3    personnel within the State on the opportunities available 
4    to transitioning service members through the SkillBridge 
5    program;
6        (3) assist businesses in obtaining approval for 
7    skilled workforce training curricula under the SkillBridge 
8    program, including, but not limited to, apprenticeships, 
9    internships, or fellowships; and
10        (4) match transitioning service members who are deemed 
11    eligible for SkillBridge participation by their military 
12    command with training opportunities offered by the 
13    organization or participating businesses, with the intent 
14    of having transitioning service members achieve gainful 
15    employment in this State upon completion of their 
16    SkillBridge training.
17    The Department may adopt any rules necessary to implement 
18this Section.