HB5358 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 24911 RJT 34162 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB5358

Introduced 1/31/2022, by Rep. Randy E. Frese

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

110 ILCS 805/2-16.10 new
110 ILCS 805/2-27 new
30 ILCS 105/5.970 new

Amends the Public Community College Act. Creates the Illinois Trucking Grant Pilot Program. Provides that, beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year, the State Board of Education shall establish and administer the Illinois Trucking Grant Pilot Program to provide financial assistance to students who are accepted to enroll in a truck driver training program at a public State community college that prepares a student to obtain a Class A commercial driver's license in the State. Sets forth provisions concerning an intergovernmental agreement, eligibility and renewal, the stipend amount, the employment obligations, repayment of a stipend, State Board of Education and institution requirements, reporting, and rulemaking. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Public Community College Act is amended by adding Sections 2-27 and 2-16.10 as follows:

(110 ILCS 805/2-16.10 new)

Sec. 2-16.10. Illinois Trucking Grant Pilot Program Fund. The Illinois Trucking Grant Pilot Program Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. All money in this Fund may be used, subject to appropriation, by the State Board for operational expenses associated with the administration of the Illinois Trucking Grant Pilot Program and for the payment of costs associated with providing grants to eligible community colleges in accordance with the Illinois Trucking Grant Pilot Program.

The Fund may also receive grants, awards, endowments, or like proceeds, and where appropriate, other funds made available through contracts with governmental, public, and private agencies or persons.

(110 ILCS 805/2-27 new)

Sec. 2-27. Illinois Trucking Grant Pilot Program.

(a) Subject to appropriation, beginning with awards for the 2023-2024 academic year, the State Board shall establish the Illinois Trucking Grant Pilot Program and receive and consider applications for grant assistance under this Section. The purpose of the Illinois Trucking Grant Pilot Program is to provide financial assistance to individuals that are accepted to enroll in a truck driver training program at a public State community college that prepares a student to obtain a Class A commercial driver's license in the State.

(b) An applicant is eligible for a grant under this Section if the State Board finds that the applicant:

(1) is a resident of this State;

(2) has been accepted to enroll in a truck driver training program at a public State community college that prepares a student to obtain a Class A commercial driver's license in the State;

(3) is a high school graduate or has earned a high school equivalency degree; and

(4) meets all other admissions criteria for the truck driver training program or course at the community college in which they are enrolled.

(c) Applicants who are determined to be eligible for assistance under this Section shall receive, subject to appropriation, a grant sufficient to pay for the tuition and fees for a truck driver training program at a public State community college. All grant payments shall be paid directly to the community college at which the applicant is enrolled. However, any returning and current students must not have an outstanding balance with the community college and must have satisfactory academic performance as determined by the community college.

(d) A grant awarded under this Section may not be renewed and shall not exceed $5,000 per award per recipient. The recipient is not required to repay the grant award if he or she meets the employment requirements set forth in subsection (e).

(e) Any person who has accepted a grant under this Section must, within one year after completing a truck driver training program at a public Illinois community college, begin working as a licensed truck driver employed in this State.

(f) If a recipient of a scholarship under this Section fails to fulfill the work obligation set forth in subsection (e), the State Board shall require the recipient to repay the amount of the assistance received, prorated according to the fraction of the obligation not completed, at a rate of interest equal to 5%, and, if applicable, reasonable collection fees. The State Board is authorized to establish rules relating to its collection activities for repayment of scholarships under this Section. All repayments collected under this Section shall be forwarded to the State Comptroller for deposit into this State's General Revenue Fund.

A recipient of a grant under this Section is not considered to be in violation of the failure to fulfill the work obligation under subsection (e) if the recipient (i) is serving as a member of the armed services of the United States; (ii) is a person with a temporary total disability for a period of time, not to exceed 3 years, that prevents the person from employment, as established by the sworn affidavit of a qualified physician; or (iii) becomes a person with a permanent total disability that prevents the person from employment, as established by the sworn affidavit of a qualified physician.

(g) The State Board shall make all necessary and proper rules not inconsistent with this Section for its effective implementation.

Section 10. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.970 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.970 new)

Sec. 5.970. The Illinois Trucking Grant Pilot Program Fund.