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| Public Act 103-0598 | ||||
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AN ACT concerning education. | ||||
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, | ||||
represented in the General Assembly: | ||||
Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section | ||||
27-23.17 as follows: | ||||
(105 ILCS 5/27-23.17 new) | ||||
Sec. 27-23.17. Workplace Readiness Week. | ||||
(a) Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, all public | ||||
high schools, including charter schools, may designate and | ||||
annually observe a week known as "Workplace Readiness Week". | ||||
During that week, students shall be provided information on | ||||
their rights as workers. The topics covered shall include, but | ||||
are not limited to, local, State, and federal laws regarding | ||||
each of the following areas and shall include the labor | ||||
movement's role in winning the protections and benefits | ||||
described in those areas: | ||||
(1) Prohibitions against misclassification of | ||||
employees as independent contractors. | ||||
(2) Child labor. | ||||
(3) Wage and hour protections. | ||||
(4) Worker safety. | ||||
(5) Workers' compensation. | ||||
(6) Unemployment insurance. | ||||
(7) Paid sick leave and paid family leave. | ||
(8) The right to organize a union in the workplace. | ||
(9) Prohibitions against retaliation by employers when | ||
workers exercise their rights as workers or any other | ||
rights guaranteed by law. | ||
During Workplace Readiness Week, students shall also be | ||
provided information introducing them to State-approved | ||
apprenticeship programs, how to access them, the variety of | ||
programs available, and how they can provide an alternative | ||
career path for those students who choose not to attend a | ||
traditional higher education program. | ||
(b) If a school observes Workplace Readiness Week under | ||
this Section, then, for students in grades 11 and 12, the | ||
information required to be provided in subsection (a) shall be | ||
integrated into the regular school program but may also be | ||
provided during special events after regular school hours. | ||
Integration into the regular school program is encouraged, but | ||
not required, to occur during Workplace Readiness Week. | ||
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon | ||
becoming law. | ||