104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB2958
 
Introduced 2/6/2025, by Rep. Michael Crawford
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
110 ILCS 205/17 new
    Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Department of Employment Security, to develop a career and education guide for postsecondary students with disabilities. Sets forth the included information in the career and education guide. Requires the guide to be publicly available on the websites of the Board, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Department of Employment Security. Allows the Board to publish physical copies and charge a reasonable fee for such copies. Requires the first guide to be published by August 1, 2026, and every August 1 thereafter. Effective January 1, 2026.


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A BILL FOR
 
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1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Board of Higher Education Act is amended by 
5adding Section 17 as follows:
 
6    (110 ILCS 205/17 new)
7    Sec. 17. Career guide for postsecondary students with 
8disabilities. The Board, in consultation with the Department 
9of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Department of 
10Employment Security, shall develop a career and education 
11guide for postsecondary students with disabilities. The guide 
12shall include information for undergraduate and graduate 
13students with disabilities on available resources at 
14institutions of higher education that support both the 
15academic goals and future career paths of students. The career 
16and education guide shall:
17        (1) identify the availability of at each institution 
18    of higher education in the State:
19            (A) disability career centers, career counseling, 
20        and placement services;
21            (B) work-based learning options for students with 
22        disabilities, including internships, cooperative 
23        learning experiences, and independent study 
 
 
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1        opportunities; and
2            (C) accommodations and supports, such as 
3        note-taker services, exam accommodations, accessible 
4        seating, communication accommodations, specialty 
5        textbooks and equipment, accessible parking, housing 
6        and dining areas, and student groups;
7        (2) provide broad-based career planning information 
8    and guidance for undergraduate and graduate students with 
9    disabilities on:
10            (A) when, if, and how a student with a disability 
11        may disclose the student's disability with a 
12        prospective employer;
13            (B) how to negotiate and request reasonable 
14        accommodations on the job;
15            (C) workers' rights for employees with 
16        disabilities; and
17            (D) assistive technologies and other supports 
18        available to accommodate persons with disabilities in 
19        the workplace; and
20        (3) detail a list of national and regional 
21    organizations, including contact information and websites, 
22    specifically tailored to meet the unique challenges of job 
23    seekers with disabilities.
24    The guide shall be publicly available the websites of the 
25Board, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, 
26and the Department of Employment Security.
 
 
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1    The Board may publish physical copies and charge a 
2reasonable fee for individuals or institutions who wish to 
3have a printed copy.
4    The first guide shall be published by August 1, 2026 and 
5annually thereafter by August 1 of each succeeding year
 
6    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 
71, 2026.