HB5385 EnrolledLRB102 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. Subject to appropriation for 
8this purpose, the Department shall serve as the State's 
9principal assistance organization under the United States 
10Department of Defense's SkillBridge program for employers and 
11transitioning service members. As the State's principal 
12assistance organization under the United States Department of 
13Defense's SkillBridge program for qualified businesses in this 
14State and for transitioning service members who reside in, or 
15who wish to reside in, this State, the Department shall:
16        (1) establish and maintain, as applicable, its 
17    certification for the SkillBridge program or any other 
18    similar workforce training and transition programs 
19    established by the United States Department of Defense;
20        (2) educate businesses, business associations, and 
21    transitioning service members regarding the SkillBridge 
22    program and its benefits, and educate military command and 
23    personnel within the State on the opportunities available 
 
 
HB5385 Enrolled- 2 -LRB102 25091 KTG 34351 b

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