Public Act 102-1074
 
HB5385 EnrolledLRB102 25091 KTG 34351 b

    AN ACT concerning State government.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 5. The Department of Veterans' Affairs Act is
amended by adding Section 16 as follows:
 
    (20 ILCS 2805/16 new)
    Sec. 16. SkillBridge program. Subject to appropriation for
this purpose, the Department shall serve as the State's
principal assistance organization under the United States
Department of Defense's SkillBridge program for employers and
transitioning service members. 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 Department 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
    participating businesses, with the intent of having
    transitioning service members achieve gainful employment
    in this State upon completion of their SkillBridge
    training.
    The Department may adopt any rules necessary to implement
this Section.