Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HB4038

LRB104 12961 HLH 24556 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB4038

Introduced 4/8/2025, by Rep. Kevin Schmidt

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 605/605-1118 new
30 ILCS 105/5.1030 new

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, subject to availability of funds, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may establish the Illinois Apprenticeship Voucher Program for the purpose of providing funds to apprentices to pay for their tools and equipment upon completion of their registered apprenticeship program. Provides that Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall disburse the sum of $300 to each recipient in the form of a voucher for the purpose of paying for tools and equipment required in their intended line of work. Creates the Illinois Apprenticeship-to-Career Starter Kit Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used by the Department for the purposes of the voucher program. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes.

A BILL FOR

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 Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding Section 605-1118 as follows:

(20 ILCS 605/605-1118 new)

Sec. 605-1118. Illinois Apprenticeship Voucher Program.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Apprentice" means a participant in an apprenticeship program approved by and registered with the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.

"Apprenticeship program" means an apprenticeship and training program approved by and registered with the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.

"Department" means the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

(b) Subject to availability of funds in the Illinois Apprenticeship-to-Career Starter Kit Fund, the Department is authorized to establish the Illinois Apprenticeship Voucher Program to be administered in accordance with this Section for the purpose of providing funds to apprentices to pay for their tools and equipment upon completion of their registered apprenticeship program.

The Department shall disburse the sum of $300 to each recipient in the form of a voucher for the purpose of paying for tools and equipment required in their intended line of work.

In order to be eligible for the apprenticeship voucher under this Section:

(1) the apprenticeship program must certify to the Department that the apprentice has graduated from their apprenticeship program; and

(2) the apprenticeship program must certify to the Department that the apprenticeship program is an Illinois-based apprenticeship program.

(c) The Department may accept funds from any individual, business, philanthropic organization, and federal grant for the funding of the Illinois Apprenticeship Voucher Program. Those moneys shall be deposited into the Illinois Apprenticeship-to-Career Starter Kit Fund.

(d) The Illinois Apprenticeship-to-Career Starter Kit Fund is hereby created as a special fund in the State treasury. All moneys in the Fund shall be used, subject to appropriation, by the Department for the purposes of this Section.

(e) The Department may adopt any rules necessary to administer the provisions of this Section.

Section 10. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.1030 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.1030 new)

Sec. 5.1030. The Illinois Apprenticeship-to-Career Starter Kit Fund.