(305 ILCS 5/9-6.04)

Sec. 9-6.04. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 88-170. Repealed by P.A. 92-111, eff. 1-1-02.)

(305 ILCS 5/9-6.1) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-6.1)

Sec. 9-6.1. Housing Education Program. The Illinois Department shall establish, either directly or by contract, a pilot project for a housing education program that will provide persons receiving aid under Articles III, IV, V, and VI with instructions in the care and maintenance of dwelling units, in the essentials of adequate housekeeping, and the problems of urban living. If in accord with Federal law and regulations governing grants to this State for public aid purposes, the Department may require recipients to attend a housing education program. Non-recipients to whom services have been extended under the provisions of Section 9-8 may also attend and participate in a housing education program established hereunder.

(Source: P.A. 92-111, eff. 1-1-02; 93-632, eff. 2-1-04.)

(305 ILCS 5/9-6.2) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-6.2)

Sec. 9-6.2. Township assistance to county convalescent homes. In counties under township organization, the several townships therein which do not receive State funds for general assistance may provide, from moneys received and collected for public aid to all persons eligible therefor under Article VI of this Code, funds for the operation costs of any county convalescent home in the county, in addition to payment of patient expenses otherwise provided for under this Code. No township which receives State funds for general assistance may use moneys received and collected for public aid for such assistance to county convalescent homes. "County convalescent home" shall refer to any facility that was established by a county according to the provisions of Division 5-21 of the Counties Code or its predecessor.

(Source: P.A. 92-111, eff. 1-1-02.)

(305 ILCS 5/9-6.3) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-6.3)

Sec. 9-6.3. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 86-1028. Repealed by P.A. 90-17, eff. 7-1-97.)

(305 ILCS 5/9-6.4) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-6.4)

Sec. 9-6.4. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 85-1209. Repealed by P.A. 90-17, eff. 7-1-97.)

(305 ILCS 5/9-7) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-7)

Sec. 9-7. Establishing Services Not Otherwise Available-State Supervision of Services in Local Units Receiving State Funds.

Where the services or facilities authorized by Sections 9-3 or 9-5 are not available or insufficient to meet needs, the Illinois Department or local governmental unit may establish and provide such services and facilities. If the local governmental unit receives State funds for such services or facilities under Sections 9-3 or 9-5, or for any local or joint programs under Section 9-6, the establishment of such services, facilities or programs and the expenditure of funds therefor shall be subject to the approval and supervision of the Illinois Department.

(Source: P.A. 77-1802.)

(305 ILCS 5/9-8) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-8)

Sec. 9-8. Extension of Coverage.) If appropriate and sufficient facilities are not available through other agencies, the Illinois Department may extend those services provided in this Article which relate to work adjustment, education, training, and counseling and guidance on problems of child care, family relationships, home and money management, transportation, and health, to one or both of the following:

(1) persons and families who have been recipients of aid within 1 year preceding their request for the services, and who are likely to become recipients of aid again unless needed services are provided;

(2) other persons and families who request the services and whose economic, personal or social situation is such as to make it likely that without counseling, training or other services financial aid could reasonably be expected to be required within 6 months.

The services may be continued for such time as may be necessary to overcome the conditions which may result in dependency upon financial aid but each case shall be reviewed at least quarterly to assure that the services are not continued beyond a reasonable period of time.

Any extension of services under the foregoing provisions shall be limited to a pilot county or counties, or other test area, until the cost and effectiveness of the services provided are determined to be in the public interest.

The Illinois Department may also extend the educational and vocational training programs provided under Section 9-5 or Section 9-7 to persons whose income does not exceed the standard established to determine eligibility for aid as a medically indigent person under Article V, subject to the minimum quarterly review requirement established in this Section for persons designated in subparagraphs (1) and (2).

(Source: P.A. 93-632, eff. 2-1-04.)

(305 ILCS 5/9-9) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-9)

Sec. 9-9. The Illinois Department shall make information available in its local offices informing clients about programs concerning substance use disorder and prevention programs.

(Source: P.A. 100-759, eff. 1-1-19.)

(305 ILCS 5/9-10) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-10)

Sec. 9-10. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 87-528. Repealed by P.A. 92-111, eff. 1-1-02.)

(305 ILCS 5/9-11) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-11)

Sec. 9-11. The Illinois Department may make disbursements to any attorney, or advocate working under the supervision of an attorney, who represents a recipient of cash assistance under Article VI in a program administered by the Illinois Department, in an appeal of any claim for federal veterans' benefits before a hearing officer at a Veterans' Administration Regional Office or upon an initial appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals which is decided in favor of the recipient. The amount of the disbursement shall be equal to the disbursement awarded under Section 3-13 of this Code. No disbursement shall be made unless a petition and a copy of the favorable decision is submitted by an attorney or advocate to the Illinois Department within 60 days of the date of the favorable decision. The disbursement shall be made within 30 days after the petition is received. The Illinois Department shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement this Section.

(Source: P.A. 89-21, eff. 7-1-95.)

(305 ILCS 5/9-12)

Sec. 9-12. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 88-412; Repealed by P.A. 91-599, eff. 8-14-99.)

(305 ILCS 5/9-13)

Sec. 9-13. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07. Repealed by P.A. 95-322, eff. 1-1-08.)

(305 ILCS 5/9-14)

Sec. 9-14. Small business grant program. Subject to appropriation, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may establish a small business grant program for public aid recipients who are interested in developing a new start-up business. Grant applicants must submit an initial business plan or proposal to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity that clearly articulates the viability of the new start-up business and how the grant money will be used to develop the business. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall use such application materials to determine an applicant's eligibility under the program, the grant amount to be awarded, if applicable, and the number of grants an eligible applicant will receive under the program. If an applicant is determined by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to be eligible for a small business grant, the applicant must submit to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity every year that he or she participates in the program or applies for a new grant an updated business plan or proposal that demonstrates the continued viability or progress of the new start-up business. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall adopt any rules necessary to implement this provision, including rules on the minimum and maximum grant amounts awarded under the program, the number of grants an applicant may apply for or receive during a specified period of time, and application requirements.

(Source: P.A. 100-347, eff. 1-1-18.)

(305 ILCS 5/9-15)

Sec. 9-15. Township food pantries. In a county under township organization, a township may provide, from moneys received and collected for public aid to all persons eligible therefor under Article VI of this Code, funds and administer programs for providing in-kind aid in meeting basic maintenance requirements, including, but not limited to, food, paper goods, toiletries, and clothing, to persons who are poor, indigent, homeless, or in need of immediate assistance, in addition to financial aid provided under this Code.

(Source: P.A. 101-309, eff. 1-1-20.)

(305 ILCS 5/Art. IXA heading) ARTICLE IXA. EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM FOR RECIPIENTS UNDER ARTICLE IV

(305 ILCS 5/9A-1) (from Ch. 23, par. 9A-1)

Sec. 9A-1. Declaration of Purpose. It is the purpose of this Article to provide recipients of public aid under Article IV the education, training and employment programs that will help them avoid long-term welfare dependence.

(Source: P.A. 86-1184; 86-1381.)

(305 ILCS 5/9A-2) (from Ch. 23, par. 9A-2)

Sec. 9A-2. As used in this Article only, "recipient" means only those persons receiving aid under Article IV.

(Source: P.A. 86-1184; 86-1381.)

(305 ILCS 5/9A-2a)

Sec. 9A-2a. Federal poverty level; definition. As used in this Article, "federal poverty level" means the poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 9902(2).

(Source: P.A. 102-491, eff. 8-20-21.)

(305 ILCS 5/9A-3) (from Ch. 23, par. 9A-3)

Sec. 9A-3. Establishment of Program and Level of Services.

(a) The Illinois Department shall establish and maintain a program to provide recipients with services consistent with the purposes and provisions of this Article. The program offered in different counties of the State may vary depending on the resources available to the State to provide a program under this Article, and no program may be offered in some counties, depending on the resources available. Services may be provided directly by the Illinois Department or through contract. References to the Illinois Department or staff of the Illinois Department shall include contractors when the Illinois Department has entered into contracts for these purposes. The Illinois Department shall provide each recipient who participates with such services available under the program as are necessary to achieve his employability plan as specified in the plan.

(b) The Illinois Department, in operating the program, shall cooperate with public and private education and vocational training or retraining agencies or facilities, the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Community College Board, the Departments of Employment Security and Commerce and Economic Opportunity or other sponsoring organizations funded under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and other public or licensed private employment agencies.

(Source: P.A. 100-477, eff. 9-8-17.)

(305 ILCS 5/9A-4) (from Ch. 23, par. 9A-4)

Sec. 9A-4. Participation.

(a) Except for those exempted under subsection (b) below, and to the extent resources permit, the Illinois Department as a condition of eligibility for public aid, may, as provided by rule, require all recipients to participate in an education, training, and employment program, which shall include accepting suitable employment and refraining from terminating employment or reducing earnings without good cause.

(b) Recipients shall be exempt from the requirement of participation in the education, training, and employment program in the following circumstances:

(1) The recipient is a person over age 60; or

(2) The recipient is a person with a child under age one.

Recipients are entitled to request a reasonable modification to the requirement of participation in the education, training and employment program in order to accommodate a qualified individual with a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Requests for a reasonable modification shall be evaluated on a case-by-case functional basis by designated staff based on Department rule. All such requests shall be monitored as part of the agency's quality assurance process or processes to attest to the expediency with which such requests are addressed. Implementation of the changes made to this Section by this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly is subject to appropriation.

(Source: P.A. 94-629, eff. 1-1-06.)

(305 ILCS 5/9A-5) (from Ch. 23, par. 9A-5)

Sec. 9A-5. Exempt recipients.

(a) Exempt recipients under Section 9A-4 may volunteer to participate.

(b) Services will be offered to exempt and non-exempt individuals who wish to volunteer to participate only to the extent resources permit.

(c) Exempt and non-exempt individuals who volunteer to participate become program participants upon completion of the initial assessment, development of the employability plan, and assignment to a component. An exempt individual who volunteers to participate may not be sanctioned for not meeting program requirements.

(Source: P.A. 92-111, eff. 1-1-02; 93-598, eff. 8-26-03.)

(305 ILCS 5/9A-6) (from Ch. 23, par. 9A-6)

Sec. 9A-6. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 86-1475. Repealed by P.A. 90-17, eff. 7-1-97.)

(305 ILCS 5/9A-7) (from Ch. 23, par. 9A-7)

Sec. 9A-7. Good cause and pre-sanction process.

(a) The Department shall establish by rule what constitutes good cause for failure to participate in education, training and employment programs, failure to accept suitable employment or terminating employment or reducing earnings.

The Department shall establish, by rule, a pre-sanction process to assist in resolving disputes over proposed sanctions and in determining if good cause exists. Good cause shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) temporary illness for its duration;

(2) court required appearance or temporary incarceration;

(3) (blank);

(4) death in the family;

(5) (blank);

(6) (blank);

(7) (blank);

(8) (blank);

(9) extreme inclement weather;

(10) (blank);

(11) lack of any support service even though the necessary service is not specifically provided under the Department program, to the extent the lack of the needed service presents a significant barrier to participation;

(12) if an individual is engaged in employment or training or both that is consistent with the employment related goals of the program, if such employment and training is later approved by Department staff;

(13) (blank);

(14) failure of Department staff to correctly forward the information to other Department staff;

(15) failure of the participant to cooperate because of attendance at a test or a mandatory class or function at an educational program (including college), when an education or training program is officially approved by the Department;

(16) failure of the participant due to his or her illiteracy;

(17) failure of the participant because it is determined that he or she should be in a different activity;

(18) non-receipt by the participant of a notice advising him or her of a participation requirement. If the non-receipt of mail occurs frequently, the Department shall explore an alternative means of providing notices of participation requests to participants;

(19) (blank);

(20) non-comprehension of English, either written or oral or both;

(21) (blank);

(22) (blank);

(23) child care (or day care for an incapacitated individual living in the same home as a dependent child) is necessary for the participation or employment and such care is not available for a child under age 13;

(24) failure to participate in an activity due to a scheduled job interview, medical appointment for the participant or a household member, or school appointment;

(25) if an individual or family is experiencing homelessness; an individual or family is experiencing homelessness if the individual or family: (i) lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, or shares the housing of other persons due to the loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; (ii) is living in a motel, hotel, trailer park, or camping ground due to the lack of alternative accommodations; (iii) is living in an emergency or transitional shelter; (iv) resides in a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings; or (v) is living in a car, park, public space, abandoned building, substandard housing, bus, train station, or similar settings;

(26) circumstances beyond the control of the participant which prevent the participant from completing program requirements;

(27) (blank);

(28) if an individual or family receives an eviction notice;

(29) if an individual's or family's utilities are disconnected;

(30) if an individual or family receives an utility disconnection notice; or

(31) if an individual is exiting a publicly funded institution or system of care (such as a health-care facility, a mental health facility, foster care or other youth facility, or correction program or institution) without an option to move to a fixed, adequate night time residence.

(b) (Blank).

(c)(1) The Department shall establish a reconciliation procedure to assist in resolving disputes related to any aspect of participation, including exemptions, good cause, sanctions or proposed sanctions, supportive services, assessments, responsibility and service plans, assignment to activities, suitability of employment, or refusals of offers of employment. Through the reconciliation process the Department shall have a mechanism to identify good cause, ensure that the client is aware of the issue, and enable the client to perform required activities without facing sanction.

(2) A participant may request reconciliation and receive notice in writing of a meeting. At least one face-to-face meeting may be scheduled to resolve misunderstandings or disagreements related to program participation and situations which may lead to a potential sanction. The meeting will address the underlying reason for the dispute and plan a resolution to enable the individual to participate in TANF employment and work activity requirements.

(2.5) If the individual fails to appear at the reconciliation meeting without good cause, the reconciliation is unsuccessful and a sanction shall be imposed.

(3) The reconciliation process shall continue after it is determined that the individual did not have good cause for non-cooperation. Any necessary demonstration of cooperation on the part of the participant will be part of the reconciliation process. Failure to demonstrate cooperation will result in immediate sanction.

(4) For the first instance of non-cooperation, if the client reaches agreement to cooperate, the client shall be allowed 30 days to demonstrate cooperation before any sanction activity may be imposed. In any subsequent instances of non-cooperation, the client shall be provided the opportunity to show good cause or remedy the situation by immediately complying with the requirement.

(5) The Department shall document in the case record the proceedings of the reconciliation and provide the client in writing with a reconciliation agreement.

(6) If reconciliation resolves the dispute, no sanction shall be imposed. If the client fails to comply with the reconciliation agreement, the Department shall then immediately impose the original sanction. If the dispute cannot be resolved during reconciliation, a sanction shall not be imposed until the reconciliation process is complete.

(Source: P.A. 101-103, eff. 7-19-19.)

(305 ILCS 5/9A-8) (from Ch. 23, par. 9A-8)

Sec. 9A-8. Operation of program.

(a) At the time of application or redetermination of eligibility under Article IV, as determined by rule, the Illinois Department shall provide information in writing and orally regarding the education, training and employment program to all applicants and recipients. The information required shall be established by rule and shall include, but need not be limited to:

(1) education (including literacy training), employment and training opportunities available, the criteria for approval of those opportunities, and the right to request changes in the personal responsibility and services plan to include those opportunities;

(1.1) a complete list of all activities that are approvable activities, and the circumstances under which they are approvable, including work activities, substance use disorder or mental health treatment, activities to escape and prevent domestic violence, caring for a medically impaired family member, and any other approvable activities, together with the right to and procedures for amending the responsibility and services plan to include these activities;

(1.2) the rules concerning the lifetime limit on eligibility, including the current status of the applicant or recipient in terms of the months of remaining eligibility, the criteria under which a month will not count towards the lifetime limit, and the criteria under which a recipient may receive benefits beyond the end of the lifetime limit;

(2) supportive services including child care and the rules regarding eligibility for and access to the child care assistance program, transportation, initial expenses of employment, job retention, books and fees, and any other supportive services;

(3) the obligation of the Department to provide supportive services;

(4) the rights and responsibilities of participants, including exemption, sanction, reconciliation, and good cause criteria and procedures, termination for non-cooperation and reinstatement rules and procedures, and appeal and grievance procedures; and

(5) the types and locations of child care services.

(b) The Illinois Department shall notify the recipient in writing of the opportunity to volunteer to participate in the program.

(c) (Blank).

(d) As part of the personal plan for achieving employment and self-sufficiency, the Department shall conduct an individualized assessment of the participant's employability. No participant may be assigned to any component of the education, training and employment activity prior to such assessment. The plan shall include collection of information on the individual's background, proficiencies, skills deficiencies, education level, work history, employment goals, interests, aptitudes, and employment preferences, as well as factors affecting employability or ability to meet participation requirements (e.g., health, physical or mental limitations, child care, family circumstances, domestic violence, sexual violence, substance use disorders, and special needs of any child of the individual). As part of the plan, individuals and Department staff shall work together to identify any supportive service needs required to enable the client to participate and meet the objectives of his or her employability plan. The assessment may be conducted through various methods such as interviews, testing, counseling, and self-assessment instruments. In the assessment process, the Department shall offer to include standard literacy testing and a determination of English language proficiency and shall provide it for those who accept the offer. Based on the assessment, the individual will be assigned to the appropriate activity. The decision will be based on a determination of the individual's level of preparation for employment as defined by rule.

(e) Recipients determined to be exempt may volunteer to participate pursuant to Section 9A-4 and must be assessed.

(f) As part of the personal plan for achieving employment and self-sufficiency under Section 4-1, an employability plan for recipients shall be developed in consultation with the participant. The Department shall have final responsibility for approving the employability plan. The employability plan shall:

(1) contain an employment goal of the participant;

(2) describe the services to be provided by the Department, including child care and other support services;

(3) describe the activities, such as component assignment, that will be undertaken by the participant to achieve the employment goal. The Department shall treat participation in high school and high school equivalency programs as a core activity and count participation in high school and high school equivalency programs toward the first 20 hours per week of participation. The Department shall approve participation in high school or high school equivalency programs upon written or oral request of the participant if he or she has not already earned a high school diploma or a State of Illinois High School Diploma. However, participation in high school or high school equivalency programs may be delayed as part of an applicant's or recipient's personal plan for achieving employment and self-sufficiency if it is determined that the benefit from participating in another activity, such as, but not limited to, treatment for a substance use disorder or an English proficiency program, would be greater to the applicant or recipient than participation in high school or a high school equivalency program. The availability of high school and high school equivalency programs may also delay enrollment in those programs. The Department shall treat such activities as a core activity as long as satisfactory progress is made, as determined by the high school or high school equivalency program. Proof of satisfactory progress shall be provided by the participant or the school at the end of each academic term; and

(4) describe any other needs of the family that might be met by the Department.

(g) The employability plan shall take into account:

(1) available program resources;

(2) the participant's support service needs;

(3) the participant's skills level and aptitudes;

(4) local employment opportunities; and

(5) the preferences of the participant.

(h) A reassessment shall be conducted to assess a participant's progress and to review the employability plan on the following occasions:

(1) upon completion of an activity and before assignment to an activity;

(2) upon the request of the participant;

(3) if the individual is not cooperating with the requirements of the program; and

(4) if the individual has failed to make satisfactory progress in an education or training program.

Based on the reassessment, the Department may revise the employability plan of the participant.

(Source: P.A. 102-1100, eff. 1-1-23.)