Public Act 102-1045
 
HB4201 EnrolledLRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b


  
    AN ACT concerning education.
  
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
represented in the General Assembly:
  



 
 
    Section 5. The University of Illinois Act is amended  by 
adding Section 160 as follows:
 
    (110 ILCS 305/160  new)
    Sec. 160. Benefits navigator.
    (a) In this Section:
    "Benefits navigator" means an individual who is designated 
by the University for the purpose of helping students at the 
University determine eligibility for benefit programs and 
identify campuswide and community resource support. 
    "Benefit program" means any federal, State, or local 
program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on 
the basis of need. 
    (b) The University shall:
        (1) designate a benefits navigator who has a detailed 
    understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit 
    programs and campuswide and community resource support;
        (2) provide training for the benefits navigator; and
        (3) participate in a statewide consortium with other 
    public institutions of higher education, facilitated by 
    the Board of Higher Education, for the purpose of 
    facilitating communication between benefits navigators at 
    different institutions and developing best practices for 
    benefits navigators. 
    (c) The benefits navigator designated under this Section 
shall:
        (1) assist students at the University in determining 
    eligibility for benefit programs and identifying 
    campuswide and community resource support;
        (2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of 
    subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits 
    navigators at other public institutions of higher 
    education for the purpose of collecting data and 
    developing best practices for helping students apply for 
    and receive assistance from benefit programs; and
        (3) coordinate and provide culturally specific 
    resources, including resources for non-English speakers, 
    to support students at the University. 
    (d) The University, in consultation with the benefits 
navigator designated under this Section, shall develop an 
internal process to enable students at the University to 
provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can 
better assist students in determining eligibility for benefit 
programs and applying for assistance under benefit programs. 
 
    Section 10. The Southern Illinois University Management 
Act is amended  by adding Section 135 as follows:
 
    (110 ILCS 520/135  new)
    Sec. 135. Benefits navigator.
    (a) In this Section:
    "Benefits navigator" means an individual who is designated 
by the University for the purpose of helping students at the 
University determine eligibility for benefit programs and 
identify campuswide and community resource support. 
    "Benefit program" means any federal, State, or local 
program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on 
the basis of need. 
    (b) The University shall:
        (1) designate a benefits navigator who has a detailed 
    understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit 
    programs and campuswide and community resource support;
        (2) provide training for the benefits navigator; and
        (3) participate in a statewide consortium with other 
    public institutions of higher education, facilitated by 
    the Board of Higher Education, for the purpose of 
    facilitating communication between benefits navigators at 
    different institutions and developing best practices for 
    benefits navigators. 
    (c) The benefits navigator designated under this Section 
shall:
        (1) assist students at the University in determining 
    eligibility for benefit programs and identifying 
    campuswide and community resource support;
        (2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of 
    subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits 
    navigators at other public institutions of higher 
    education for the purpose of collecting data and 
    developing best practices for helping students apply for 
    and receive assistance from benefit programs; and
        (3) coordinate and provide culturally specific 
    resources, including resources for non-English speakers, 
    to support students at the University. 
    (d) The University, in consultation with the benefits 
navigator designated under this Section, shall develop an 
internal process to enable students at the University to 
provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can 
better assist students in determining eligibility for benefit 
programs and applying for assistance under benefit programs. 
 
    Section 15. The Chicago State University Law is amended  by 
adding Section 5-245 as follows:
 
    (110 ILCS 660/5-245  new)
    Sec. 5-245. Benefits navigator.
    (a) In this Section:
    "Benefits navigator" means an individual who is designated 
by the University for the purpose of helping students at the 
University determine eligibility for benefit programs and 
identify campuswide and community resource support. 
    "Benefit program" means any federal, State, or local 
program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on 
the basis of need. 
    (b) The University shall:
        (1) designate a benefits navigator who has a detailed 
    understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit 
    programs and campuswide and community resource support;
        (2) provide training for the benefits navigator; and
        (3) participate in a statewide consortium with other 
    public institutions of higher education, facilitated by 
    the Board of Higher Education, for the purpose of 
    facilitating communication between benefits navigators at 
    different institutions and developing best practices for 
    benefits navigators. 
    (c) The benefits navigator designated under this Section 
shall:
        (1) assist students at the University in determining 
    eligibility for benefit programs and identifying 
    campuswide and community resource support;
        (2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of 
    subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits 
    navigators at other public institutions of higher 
    education for the purpose of collecting data and 
    developing best practices for helping students apply for 
    and receive assistance from benefit programs; and
        (3) coordinate and provide culturally specific 
    resources, including resources for non-English speakers, 
    to support students at the University. 
    (d) The University, in consultation with the benefits 
navigator designated under this Section, shall develop an 
internal process to enable students at the University to 
provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can 
better assist students in determining eligibility for benefit 
programs and applying for assistance under benefit programs. 
 
    Section 20. The Eastern Illinois University Law is amended  
by adding Section 10-245 as follows:
 
    (110 ILCS 665/10-245  new)
    Sec. 10-245. Benefits navigator.
    (a) In this Section:
    "Benefits navigator" means an individual who is designated 
by the University for the purpose of helping students at the 
University determine eligibility for benefit programs and 
identify campuswide and community resource support. 
    "Benefit program" means any federal, State, or local 
program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on 
the basis of need. 
    (b) The University shall:
        (1) designate a benefits navigator who has a detailed 
    understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit 
    programs and campuswide and community resource support;
        (2) provide training for the benefits navigator; and
        (3) participate in a statewide consortium with other 
    public institutions of higher education, facilitated by 
    the Board of Higher Education, for the purpose of 
    facilitating communication between benefits navigators at 
    different institutions and developing best practices for 
    benefits navigators. 
    (c) The benefits navigator designated under this Section 
shall:
        (1) assist students at the University in determining 
    eligibility for benefit programs and identifying 
    campuswide and community resource support;
        (2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of 
    subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits 
    navigators at other public institutions of higher 
    education for the purpose of collecting data and 
    developing best practices for helping students apply for 
    and receive assistance from benefit programs; and
        (3) coordinate and provide culturally specific 
    resources, including resources for non-English speakers, 
    to support students at the University. 
    (d) The University, in consultation with the benefits 
navigator designated under this Section, shall develop an 
internal process to enable students at the University to 
provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can 
better assist students in determining eligibility for benefit 
programs and applying for assistance under benefit programs. 
 
    Section 25. The Governors State University Law is amended  
by adding Section 15-245 as follows:
 
    (110 ILCS 670/15-245  new)
    Sec. 15-245. Benefits navigator.
    (a) In this Section:
    "Benefits navigator" means an individual who is designated 
by the University for the purpose of helping students at the 
University determine eligibility for benefit programs and 
identify campuswide and community resource support. 
    "Benefit program" means any federal, State, or local 
program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on 
the basis of need. 
    (b) The University shall:
        (1) designate a benefits navigator who has a detailed 
    understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit 
    programs and campuswide and community resource support;
        (2) provide training for the benefits navigator; and
        (3) participate in a statewide consortium with other 
    public institutions of higher education, facilitated by 
    the Board of Higher Education, for the purpose of 
    facilitating communication between benefits navigators at 
    different institutions and developing best practices for 
    benefits navigators. 
    (c) The benefits navigator designated under this Section 
shall:
        (1) assist students at the University in determining 
    eligibility for benefit programs and identifying 
    campuswide and community resource support;
        (2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of 
    subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits 
    navigators at other public institutions of higher 
    education for the purpose of collecting data and 
    developing best practices for helping students apply for 
    and receive assistance from benefit programs; and
        (3) coordinate and provide culturally specific 
    resources, including resources for non-English speakers, 
    to support students at the University. 
    (d) The University, in consultation with the benefits 
navigator designated under this Section, shall develop an 
internal process to enable students at the University to 
provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can 
better assist students in determining eligibility for benefit 
programs and applying for assistance under benefit programs. 
 
    Section 30. The Illinois State University Law is amended  
by adding Section 20-250 as follows:
 
    (110 ILCS 675/20-250  new)
    Sec. 20-250. Benefits navigator.
    (a) In this Section:
    "Benefits navigator" means an individual who is designated 
by the University for the purpose of helping students at the 
University determine eligibility for benefit programs and 
identify campuswide and community resource support. 
    "Benefit program" means any federal, State, or local 
program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on 
the basis of need. 
    (b) The University shall:
        (1) designate a benefits navigator who has a detailed 
    understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit 
    programs and campuswide and community resource support;
        (2) provide training for the benefits navigator; and
        (3) participate in a statewide consortium with other 
    public institutions of higher education, facilitated by 
    the Board of Higher Education, for the purpose of 
    facilitating communication between benefits navigators at 
    different institutions and developing best practices for 
    benefits navigators. 
    (c) The benefits navigator designated under this Section 
shall:
        (1) assist students at the University in determining 
    eligibility for benefit programs and identifying 
    campuswide and community resource support;
        (2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of 
    subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits 
    navigators at other public institutions of higher 
    education for the purpose of collecting data and 
    developing best practices for helping students apply for 
    and receive assistance from benefit programs; and
        (3) coordinate and provide culturally specific 
    resources, including resources for non-English speakers, 
    to support students at the University. 
    (d) The University, in consultation with the benefits 
navigator designated under this Section, shall develop an 
internal process to enable students at the University to 
provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can 
better assist students in determining eligibility for benefit 
programs and applying for assistance under benefit programs. 
 
    Section 35. The Northeastern Illinois University Law is 
amended  by adding Section 25-245 as follows:
 
    (110 ILCS 680/25-245  new)
    Sec. 25-245. Benefits navigator.
    (a) In this Section:
    "Benefits navigator" means an individual who is designated 
by the University for the purpose of helping students at the 
University determine eligibility for benefit programs and 
identify campuswide and community resource support. 
    "Benefit program" means any federal, State, or local 
program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on 
the basis of need. 
    (b) The University shall:
        (1) designate a benefits navigator who has a detailed 
    understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit 
    programs and campuswide and community resource support;
        (2) provide training for the benefits navigator; and
        (3) participate in a statewide consortium with other 
    public institutions of higher education, facilitated by 
    the Board of Higher Education, for the purpose of 
    facilitating communication between benefits navigators at 
    different institutions and developing best practices for 
    benefits navigators. 
    (c) The benefits navigator designated under this Section 
shall:
        (1) assist students at the University in determining 
    eligibility for benefit programs and identifying 
    campuswide and community resource support;
        (2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of 
    subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits 
    navigators at other public institutions of higher 
    education for the purpose of collecting data and 
    developing best practices for helping students apply for 
    and receive assistance from benefit programs; and
        (3) coordinate and provide culturally specific 
    resources, including resources for non-English speakers, 
    to support students at the University. 
    (d) The University, in consultation with the benefits 
navigator designated under this Section, shall develop an 
internal process to enable students at the University to 
provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can 
better assist students in determining eligibility for benefit 
programs and applying for assistance under benefit programs. 
 
    Section 40. The Northern Illinois University Law is 
amended  by adding Section 30-255 as follows:
 
    (110 ILCS 685/30-255  new)
    Sec. 30-255. Benefits navigator.
    (a) In this Section:
    "Benefits navigator" means an individual who is designated 
by the University for the purpose of helping students at the 
University determine eligibility for benefit programs and 
identify campuswide and community resource support. 
    "Benefit program" means any federal, State, or local 
program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on 
the basis of need. 
    (b) The University shall:
        (1) designate a benefits navigator who has a detailed 
    understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit 
    programs and campuswide and community resource support;
        (2) provide training for the benefits navigator; and
        (3) participate in a statewide consortium with other 
    public institutions of higher education, facilitated by 
    the Board of Higher Education, for the purpose of 
    facilitating communication between benefits navigators at 
    different institutions and developing best practices for 
    benefits navigators. 
    (c) The benefits navigator designated under this Section 
shall:
        (1) assist students at the University in determining 
    eligibility for benefit programs and identifying 
    campuswide and community resource support;
        (2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of 
    subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits 
    navigators at other public institutions of higher 
    education for the purpose of collecting data and 
    developing best practices for helping students apply for 
    and receive assistance from benefit programs; and
        (3) coordinate and provide culturally specific 
    resources, including resources for non-English speakers, 
    to support students at the University. 
    (d) The University, in consultation with the benefits 
navigator designated under this Section, shall develop an 
internal process to enable students at the University to 
provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can 
better assist students in determining eligibility for benefit 
programs and applying for assistance under benefit programs. 
 
    Section 45. The Western Illinois University Law is amended  
by adding Section 35-250 as follows:
 
    (110 ILCS 690/35-250  new)
    Sec. 35-250. Benefits navigator.
    (a) In this Section:
    "Benefits navigator" means an individual who is designated 
by the University for the purpose of helping students at the 
University determine eligibility for benefit programs and 
identify campuswide and community resource support. 
    "Benefit program" means any federal, State, or local 
program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on 
the basis of need. 
    (b) The University shall:
        (1) designate a benefits navigator who has a detailed 
    understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit 
    programs and campuswide and community resource support;
        (2) provide training for the benefits navigator; and
        (3) participate in a statewide consortium with other 
    public institutions of higher education, facilitated by 
    the Board of Higher Education, for the purpose of 
    facilitating communication between benefits navigators at 
    different institutions and developing best practices for 
    benefits navigators. 
    (c) The benefits navigator designated under this Section 
shall:
        (1) assist students at the University in determining 
    eligibility for benefit programs and identifying 
    campuswide and community resource support;
        (2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of 
    subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits 
    navigators at other public institutions of higher 
    education for the purpose of collecting data and 
    developing best practices for helping students apply for 
    and receive assistance from benefit programs; and
        (3) coordinate and provide culturally specific 
    resources, including resources for non-English speakers, 
    to support students at the University. 
    (d) The University, in consultation with the benefits 
navigator designated under this Section, shall develop an 
internal process to enable students at the University to 
provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can 
better assist students in determining eligibility for benefit 
programs and applying for assistance under benefit programs. 
 
    Section 50. The Public Community College Act is amended  by 
adding Section 3-29.20 as follows:

 
    (110 ILCS 805/3-29.20 new)

    Sec. 3-29.20. Benefits navigator.
    (a) In this Section:
    "Benefits navigator" means an individual who is designated 
by a community college for the purpose of helping students at 
the community college determine eligibility for benefit 
programs and identify campuswide and community resource 
support. 
    "Benefit program" means any federal, State, or local 
program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on 
the basis of need. 
    (b) A community college shall:
        (1) designate a benefits navigator who has a detailed 
    understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit 
    programs and campuswide and community resource support;
        (2) provide training for the benefits navigator; and
        (3) participate in a statewide community college 
    consortium, facilitated by the State Board, for the 
    purpose of facilitating communication between benefits 
    navigators at different institutions and developing best 
    practices for benefits navigators. 
    (c) The benefits navigator designated under this Section 
shall:
        (1) assist students at the community college in 
    determining eligibility for benefit programs and 
    identifying campuswide and community resource support;
        (2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of 
    subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits 
    navigators at other public institutions of higher 
    education for the purpose of collecting data and 
    developing best practices for helping students apply for 
    and receive assistance from benefit programs; and
        (3) coordinate and provide culturally specific 
    resources, including resources for non-English speakers, 
    to support students at the community college. 
    (d) The community college, in consultation with the 
benefits navigator designated under this Section, shall 
develop an internal process to enable students at the 
community college to provide feedback and recommendations on 
how the community college can better assist students in 
determining eligibility for benefit programs and applying for 
assistance under benefit programs. 
 
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 
1, 2023. 
  

Effective Date:  1/1/2023