Section 620.10  Purpose

 

Through the Labor-Management Program (program), the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (Department) shall promote positive labor-management relations in the State of Illinois by providing matching grants, grants and other resources to establish or assist local labor-management committees and other projects which serve to improve labor-management relations (the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois) (the Act) (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 127, par. 46.32a, as amended by P.A. 85-1385, effective September 2, 1988). In accordance with the Act, the Department has the authority to award grants or matching grants in four categories.  At least 60 percent of the annual appropriation to the Department for providing labor-management grants and resources shall be awarded as matching grants to existing local labor-management committees, up to 20 percent may be awarded as matching grants to developing local labor-management committees, up to 10 percent may be awarded as grants to develop and conduct specialized education and training programs and up to 10 percent may be awarded as grants for research and development projects.  The Labor-Management Program will be administered by the Office of Labor-Management Cooperation within the Department.

 

(Source:  Amended at 13 Ill. Reg. 1758, effective January 27, 1989)

 

Section 620.20  Statewide Committee

 

Consistent with provisions contained in Section 46.32a of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (Act) (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 127, par. 46.32a), there shall be established a Labor-Management Cooperation Committee; the duties of said committee are specified in the Act.

 

(Source:  Amended at 11 Ill. Reg. 16096, effective September 29, 1987)

 

Section 620.30  Local Labor-Management Committee

 

For the purpose of this Act, local labor-management committee (committee) is defined as a private sector organization created jointly by labor and management representatives, the purposes of which are specified in Section 46.32a(b)(1)(second list of small numerals (i) through (v)) of "AN ACT in relation to labor relations and workers' compensation, amending certain Acts herein named" (P.A. 85-1385, effective September 2, 1988).  The labor and management members of the committee jointly determine and carry out a work program to improve labor-management relations in their service area and to maintain and increase their community's competitiveness within the local, state, national and world economies.

 

(Source:  Amended at 13 Ill. Reg. 1758, effective January 27, 1989)

 

Section 620.40  Eligible Applicants

 

The grant application has been divided into four separate categories. Separate eligibility criteria have been established for each of the four grant categories established in the Act as follows:

 

a)         To be eligible for matching grants under Category I, Matching Grants to Existing Local Labor-Management Committees, local labor-management committees must meet the eligibility criteria specified in Section 46.32a(b)(1) (first list of small numerals (i) through (vii)) of "AN ACT in relation to labor relations and workers' compensation, amending certain Acts herein named" (P.A. 85-1385, effective September 2, 1988).  However, no funds will be awarded to local labor-management committees under the following circumstances:

 

1)         no assistance can be given for plant labor-management committees unless the employees in that plant are represented by a labor organization and there is in effect at that plant a collective bargaining agreement;

 

2)         no assistance can be given for an area, public sector or industry-wide labor-management committee unless its participants include any labor organizations certified or recognized as the representative of employees of an employer participating in such a committee.  However, employers whose employees are not represented by a labor organization may participate on such area or industry-wide committees; and,

 

3)         no assistance can be given to any committee which interferes with the collective bargaining activities in any plant or industry.

 

b)         To be eligible to apply for matching grants under Category II, Matching Grants to Developing Local Labor - Management Committees, the local labor-management committee must meet the eligibility criteria specified in Section 46.32a(b)(2) (small numerals (i) through (iv)) of "AN ACT in relation to labor relations and workers' compensation, amending certain Acts herein named" (P.A. 85-1385, effective September 2, 1988).  However, no funds will be awarded to local labor-management committees under the following circumstances:

 

1)         no assistance can be given for plant labor-management committees unless the employees in that plant are represented by a labor organization and there is in effect at that plant a collective bargaining agreement;

 

2)         no assistance can be given for an area, public sector or industry-wide labor-management committee unless its participants include any labor organizations certified or recognized as the representative of employees of an employer participating in such a committee.  However, employers whose employees are not represented by a labor organization may participate on such area or industry-wide committees; and

 

3)         no assistance can be given to any committee which interferes with the collective bargaining activities in any plant or industry.

 

c)         Eligible applicants for a grant under Category III, Grants for Education and Training, will include any group, organization, committee or individual who can demonstrate an expertise in the development and delivery of education and training programs designed for labor and/or management representatives or labor-management committees.

 

d)         Eligible applicants for a grant under Category IV, Grants for Research and Development, will include any group, organization, committee or individual who can demonstrate an expertise in the area of research and development projects.  Priority consideration will be given to applicants who have experience in the area of labor-management relations and cooperative programs.

 

e)         In addition, the Department will accept an application for funding from any person, organization or consortium of organizations which contains a project proposal which seeks to improve labor-management relations, job security, organizational effectiveness, enhancing economic development or involving workers in decisions affecting their jobs, including improving communications with respect to subjects of mutual interest and concern.

 

(Source:  Amended at 13 Ill. Reg. 1758, effective January 27, 1989)

 

Section 620.50  Application Cycle

 

Applications under the program will be accepted on an ongoing basis. The availability of funds under the program will be advertised in the official state newspaper, and the Department will supply an application package to interested parties upon request.  Applications will be reviewed as received, and grants awarded until program funds are exhausted. The original application should be accompanied by two copies and submitted to the Department's Office of Labor - Management Cooperation, 620 East Adams Street, Springfield, Illinois, 62701.  The Department with the advice of the Labor - Management Cooperation Committee, will develop and prioritize annually the type and scope of the education and training projects (Category III) and research and development projects (Category IV) by means of telephone surveys and requests for services or information received from local labor-management organizations.

 

(Source:  Amended at 13 Ill. Reg. 1758, effective January 27, 1989)

 

Section 620.60  Application Requirements

 

a)         The application for funding under Category I, Matching Grants to Existing Local Labor – Management Committees, must include the following information:

 

1)         Eligibility Certification

 

A)        a description of the structure of the organization (e.g., not-for-profit, incorporated, etc.), including any articles of incorporation, not-for-profit certification and/or current by-laws.

 

B)        the specific geographic area served by the organization.

 

C)        a list of the board members and their affiliation, including current letters of commitment from all committee participants and chairpersons.

 

D)        the name(s), title(s) and job description(s) for all full-time and/or part-time committee staff.

 

E)        a summary of the committee, including its formation (specifying dates), major activities and past funding.

 

F)         a list of the name(s) and a summary of the nature of the committee's affiliation with other local, state or federal organizations.

 

2)         Goals and Objectives – Using specific goals and objectives, a description of what the labor-management committee will accomplish within the next twelve months (for the duration of the grant). These goals and objectives should be expressed in measurable terms.  In addition, a description of the criteria used by the committee to evaluate its success in meeting the specific goals and objectives.

 

3)         Implementation Timetable – an outline of the applicant's proposed activities during the grant period; major milestones or activities and target dates for accomplishing goals and objectives.

 

4)         Budget – a detailed budget and narrative for the applicant for the grant period, including a summary of the source(s) of the local match; (from the source(s) of the local match) documentation specifying the dollar amount of their commitment; if in-kind contributions are being included as part of the local match, documentation as to what constitutes the in-kind contribution and its estimated dollar value.

 

b)         An application for funding under Category II, Matching Grants to Developing Local Labor-Management Committees, must include the following information:

 

1)         Eligibility Certification

 

A)        a description of the structure of the organization (e.g., not-for-profit, incorporated, etc.), if applicable, including any articles of incorporation, not-for-profit certification and/or current by-laws or any other documents relating to the structure of the organization.

 

B)        the specific geographic area served by the organization.

 

C)        a list of the board members or participants in the committee and their affiliation, including current letters of commitment from all committee participants and chairpersons.

 

D)        the name, title and job description of any full-time and/or part-time committee staff.

 

E)        a summary of the committee, including its formation (specifying dates), major activities and past funding.

 

2)         Goals and Objectives – Using specific goals and objectives, a description of what the labor-management committee will accomplish within the next twelve months (for the duration of the grant). These goals and objectives should be expressed in measurable terms.  In addition, a description of the criteria used by the committee to evaluate its success in meeting the specific goals and objectives.

 

3)         Implementation Timetable – an outline of the applicant's proposed activities during the grant period; major milestones or activities and target dates for accomplishing goals and objectives.

 

4)         Budget – a budget and budget narrative for the next twelve months must be submitted, including a summary of the source(s) of the local match.  If in-kind contributions are being included as part of the match, documentation must be included as to what constitutes the in-kind contribution and its estimated dollar value.

 

c)         An application for funding under Category III, Grants for Education and Training, must include the following information:

 

1)         Eligibility Certification

 

A)        a description of the primary nature of the applicant's business (e.g., university, community college, area labor-management committee, consultant, etc.).

 

B)        a description of the applicant's primary audience(s) or client base (e.g., college students, retraining older workers, etc.).

 

C)        the name(s) and a summary of the previous experience of the individual(s) who will be involved in the development and/or delivery of the education and training program(s), including references from previous clients where appropriate.

 

2)         Scope of Work

 

A)        a description of the education and/or training program(s) to be developed or delivered with grant funds, including objectives of the program.

 

B)        an explanation of the target audience for the education or training program.

 

C)        the anticipated benefits of the program to its intended audience.

 

D)        a description of the type of evaluation criteria to be used to determine if the program was successful or achieved its objectives.

 

3)         Implementation Timetable – an outline of the applicant's proposed activities for the program during the grant period; major milestones or activities and target dates for accomplishing the program's objectives.

 

4)         Budget – a budget and budget narrative for the grant period must be submitted, including a summary of any funds to be used to supplement the state grant, the total project cost, as well as the amount and source of other funds to be devoted to the project.

 

d)         An application for funding under Category IV, Grants for Research and Development, must include the following information:

 

1)         Eligibility Certification

 

A)        a description of the primary nature of the applicant's business (e.g., university, community college, area labor-management committee, etc.)

 

B)        description of the intended beneficiaries of the research and development project to be undertaken (e.g., companies, unions, labor-management committees, industries, etc.).

 

C)        the name(s) and a summary of the previous experience of the individual(s) who will be involved in the research and development project and references or copies of other research projects.  (Priority consideration will be given to applicants who have experience in the area of labor-management relations and cooperative programs.)

 

2)         Scope of Work

 

A)        a description of the research and development project to be undertaken with the grant funds, including a list of the objectives of the project.

 

B)        a description of the target audience for the research project information who will benefit from the information, and a summary of anticipated results of the project.

 

C)        an explanation of the methodology to be used in the research and development project (e.g., data collection, surveys, personal interviews, etc.).

 

3)         Implementation Timetable – an outline of the proposed activities of the project over the grant period; major milestones or activities and target dates for accomplishing the project's objectives.

 

4)         Budget – a budget and budget narrative for the grant period must be submitted, including a summary of the source of any funds to be used to supplement the state grant, the total project cost, as well as the amount and source of other funds to be devoted to the project.

 

(Source:  Amended at 13 Ill. Reg. 1758, effective January 27, 1989)

 

Section 620.70  Application Evaluation

 

a)         The Department shall screen all applications to determine that all requirements of the application package have been addressed.  Complete applications will be reviewed and evaluated by Department staff.  This review and evaluation process will be completed within 45 days after receipt of the application package by the Department.

 

b)         Upon receipt of a completed application for a grant or matching grant, the Director of the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (Director) will provide copies of the application to the Labor-Management Cooperation Committee for its review and comment.

 

(Source:  Amended at 13 Ill. Reg. 1758, effective January 27, 1989)

 

Section 620.80  Selection for Funding

 

a)         The Department will consider funding any application which provides all documentation requested; thoroughly addresses all issues with no major problems evident; clearly evidences a need for the public funding; clearly demonstrates a project implementation readiness; and, has demonstrated a positive impact on labor-management relations.

 

b)         Selection Criteria

 

            The Department's selection criteria will include the following:

 

1)         the extent to which the application has clearly identified the problems and justified the needs that the proposed project will address;

 

2)         the feasibility of the approach proposed to attain the goals and objectives of the project and the perceived likelihood of accomplishing the intended project results;

 

3)         the appropriateness of committee membership, if applicable, and the degree of commitment of participating individuals to the goals of the application;

 

4)         the feasibility and thoroughness of the implementation plan in specifying major milestones and target dates;

 

5)         the cost effectiveness and fiscal soundness of the application's budget request as well as identification of the amounts and sources of the local match; and,

 

6)         the overall feasibility of the proposed project in light of all of the information presented for consideration and quality of the application.

 

c)         The Director will consider the recommendations of the Labor-Management Cooperation Committee in the awarding of funds under the program.

 

(Source:  Amended at 13 Ill. Reg. 1758, effective January 27, 1989)

 

Section 620.90  Administrative Requirements

 

a)         Matching Grant Limitations

 

1)         Matching grants under Category I, Existing Local Labor-Management Committees, shall not exceed 75% of the total operating cost of the program.

 

2)         Matching grants under Category II, Developing Local Labor-Management Committees, shall not exceed 75% of the total operating cost of the program.  Funding of eligible committees under this category shall be limited to three years.  Previous years' funding under this program will be included in determining whether those committees have reached their funding limit under this category.

 

b)         Grant and Matching Grant Limitations – All grant awards will be limited to a period of one year.  Applications for continued funding must be submitted annually.

 

c)         Match Requirements – In accordance with the Act, Matching Grants under Sections I and II, require that at least 25 percent of the program and operating costs be supported through local match.  For the purpose of this program, match must include at least 50 percent cash and no more than 50 percent "in-kind" services (i.e., donated office space, clerical support, equipment, postage, etc.) which directly further accomplishes the objectives under the grant.

 

d)         Reporting Requirements – An applicant receiving funding under the program must submit to the Department a quarterly programmatic report outlining the goals and objectives which have been achieved during the previous quarter.  This report must specify if the major milestones identified by the applicant in its application package are being met according to the timetable provided; if not, an explanation of why these milestones have not been met must be provided.  An applicant receiving funding under the program must also submit to the Department quarterly expenditure summaries describing line item costs charged to the grant and line item matching share supplied by the applicant where applicable.  The Department reserves the right to monitor and evaluate the activities of any committee receiving funding under this program.

 

e)         Recovery of Grant Funds – Recipients of grant funds under this program will be required to abide by provisions of the Illinois Grant Funds Recovery Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1991, ch. 127, pars. 2301 et seq.) [30 ILCS 705].

 

(Source:  Amended at 18 Ill. Reg. 16564, effective October 27, 1994)