HB5225enr 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB5225 Enrolled LRB102 25500 SPS 34788 b

AN ACT concerning employment.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Job Training Assistance and Support Services Pilot Program Act.

Section 5. Purpose. The purpose of the Job Training Assistance and Support Services Pilot Program is to address significant barriers to individuals participating in apprenticeships, including, but not limited to, lack of affordable and reliable transportation, lack of affordable and high-quality childcare, and other barriers that may prohibit a worker from retaining employment. The Pilot Program may provide barrier reduction funding for eligible individuals participating in registered apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, or work-based learning programs such as an internship, paid work experience, transitional jobs training, on-the-job training, or incumbent worker programs administered by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Section 10. Job Training Assistance and Support Services Pilot Program.

(a) The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall, subject to appropriation, develop a Job Training Assistance and Support Services Pilot Program. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall award grants to organizations to distribute subsidies to qualifying individuals. To be eligible for assistance under the Pilot Program, an individual is required to participate in a registered apprenticeship program, pre-apprenticeship program as defined by the United States Department of Labor, or work-based learning programs, such as an internship, paid work experience, transitional jobs training, on-the-job training, or incumbent worker programs administered by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

(b) The assistance provided by the Pilot Program may include funds for transportation, child care, housing-related expenses, including, but not limited to, rent and utilities, transportation, child care, digital technology needs, education needs, mental health services, substance abuse services, income support, and work-related supplies that are not typically covered by programmatic supportive services.

Section 15. Report. No later than January 1, 2028, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly a report that evaluates the results of the Pilot Program and its effectiveness in assisting Pilot Program participants in entering the workforce or in obtaining better employment. The report shall include a recommendation regarding whether to renew the Pilot Program, and if renewal is recommended, if the Pilot Program should be expanded or otherwise enhanced.

Section 20. Rules. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall adopt all rules necessary for the implementation of the Pilot Program created under this Act.

Section 25. Repeal. This Act is repealed on January 1, 2029.