104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB4354
 
Introduced 1/14/2026, by Rep. Dave Vella
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
105 ILCS 5/2-3.214 new
    Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to establish and administer a program to strengthen this State's workforce by creating structured pipelines from public high schools into in-demand careers through public-private partnerships with employers, public community colleges, and school districts. Under the program, provides that the school board of each school district maintaining a high school shall allow the high school to partner with local employers and the community college district where the high school is located to establish a pathway program for careers in priority sectors. Requires the State Board and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to jointly approve the pathway program prior to implementation and maintain a registry of participating high schools and employers. Sets forth pathway program requirements. Provides that an employer participating in a pathway program that provides a qualifying paid internship or apprenticeship pathway shall receive from the State Board a $1,000 grant per student holding the internship or apprenticeship, not exceed $50,000 per year. Provides that at least 25% of any funds appropriated for implementation must be used to support pathway programs in high schools in high-poverty or rural school districts.


LRB104 16854 LNS 30264 b

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT
MAY APPLY
					
 
 
A BILL FOR
 
HB4354LRB104 16854 LNS 30264 b

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 School Code is amended by adding Section 
52-3.214 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/2-3.214 new)
7    Sec. 2-3.214. Pathway program for careers in priority 
8sectors. 
9    (a) The State Board of Education shall establish and 
10administer a program to strengthen this State's workforce by 
11creating structured pipelines from public high schools into 
12in-demand careers through public-private partnerships with 
13employers, public community colleges, and school districts. 
14Under the program, the school board of each school district 
15maintaining a high school shall allow the high school to 
16partner with local employers and the community college 
17district where the high school is located to establish a 
18pathway program for careers in priority sectors. The State 
19Board and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity 
20shall jointly approve the pathway program prior to 
21implementation of the pathway program and maintain a registry 
22of participating high schools and employers.
23    (b) A pathway program established under this Section must 
 
 
HB4354- 2 -LRB104 16854 LNS 30264 b

1include the following pathways:
2        (1) a paid internship or apprenticeship in a priority 
3    sector;
4        (2) dual credit coursework aligned to an industry 
5    certification in a priority sector; or
6        (3) a job shadowing or mentorship opportunity in a 
7    priority sector.
8    (c) An employer participating in a pathway program 
9established under this Section that provides a qualifying paid 
10internship or apprenticeship under paragraph (1) of subsection 
11(b) shall receive from the State Board a $1,000 grant per 
12student holding the internship or apprenticeship; however, the 
13grant may not exceed $50,000 per year.
14    (d) At least 25% of any funds appropriated to implement 
15this Section must be used to support pathway programs in high 
16schools in high-poverty or rural school districts.