SB3315eng 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB3315 Engrossed LRB099 19916 MLM 44315 b

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 2-3.167 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.167 new)

Sec. 2-3.167. Advisory Committee on Workforce Shortages.

(a) The General Assembly recognizes that this State's commitment to enabling all citizens to succeed in a comprehensive career development system will play a vital role in ensuring a continual wealth of prosperity, innovation, and opportunity to our communities. Illinois Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs educate over 300,000 high school students annually through programs aimed to increase career development in fields such as agriculture, business marketing and computer sciences, family and consumer sciences, health science technology, and engineering education. In 2014, 95.3% of the students enrolled in CTE graduated from high school; 77.0% of CTE special needs students graduated from high school. This includes students with disabilities, economically-disadvantaged students, students-as-parents, students preparing for nontraditional fields, displaced homemakers, and limited English proficiency students.

The General Assembly also recognizes the importance of providing quality college and career readiness programs for its citizens. It is imperative to focus on allotting resources to core, front-line services that will have an immediate impact on both the student and the community at large. Career and Technical Education programs are dedicated to serving this State's citizens by aligning challenging secondary education curricula with relevant career and technical training that adequately prepares students to succeed in postsecondary education. CTE students routinely continue into postsecondary education. In 2014, more than 65.9% of CTE concentrators enrolled in either 2-year or 4-year institutions, according to National Student Clearinghouse data. In order to properly serve the educational needs of every citizen, the General Assembly intends to rededicate itself to funding Career and Technical Education programs that are both meaningful and essential to the long-term sustainability of this State's workforce.

(b) The Advisory Committee on Workforce Shortages is established to conduct a review of existing career and technical education programs administered by the State and make recommendations on industry-recognized certification programs designed to mitigate workforce shortages in Illinois. The Advisory Committee shall consist of the following members:

(1) One member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate.

(2) One member of the Senate, appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

(3) One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(4) One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(5) One representative from the State Board of Education, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(6) One representative from the Illinois Community College Board, appointed by the Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board.

(7) One representative from the Department of Employment Security, appointed by the Director of Employment Security.

(8) Two State experts in career and technical education and vocational training, appointed by the Governor.

(9) One representative from a statewide organization representing Illinois career and technical educators, appointed by the Governor.

(10) Three representatives from statewide organizations representing a diverse range of professions, which may include, but are not limited to, manufacturers and health care professionals, appointed by the Governor. Members of the Advisory Committee shall serve without compensation and shall not be reimbursed for their expenses.

(c) The Advisory Committee on Workforce Shortages shall meet initially at the call of the State Superintendent of Education. At this initial meeting, the Advisory Committee shall elect a member as presiding officer of the Advisory Committee by a majority vote of the membership of the Advisory Committee. Thereafter, the Advisory Committee shall meet at the call of the presiding officer.

(d) The State Board of Education shall provide administrative and other support to the Advisory Committee on Workforce Shortages.

(e) The Advisory Committee on Workforce Shortages shall:

(1) conduct a thorough review of:

(A) the existing career and technical education programs administered by the Illinois Community College Board in which support is provided by the Illinois Community College Board to this State's community colleges, with a focus on the degrees and certificates that have been reviewed and approved by the Illinois Community College Board; and

(B) the existing career and technical education programs administered by the State Board of Education in which support is provided by the State Board of Education to this State's elementary and secondary schools, with a focus on the degrees and certificates that have been reviewed and approved by the State Board of Education;

(2) identify industries and occupations within this State that face workforce shortages or shortages of adequately trained, entry-level workers;

(3) make recommendations on industry-recognized certification programs designed to mitigate workforce shortages in any of the industries or occupations identified under item (2) of this subsection (e);

(4) consider the following when making its recommendations:

(A) the areas of this State with residual high unemployment rates;

(B) costs to the State associated with implementing new programs designed to mitigate workforce shortages in any of the industries or occupations identified under item (2) of this subsection (e); and

(C) integrated learning, dual-credit opportunities, and potential opportunities for continuing education at the baccalaureate level; and

(5) on or before December 31, 2016, submit a report to the General Assembly and the Governor on specific recommendations for changes to the current law or other legislative measures.

(f) The Advisory Committee on Workforce Shortages is abolished and this Section is repealed on January 1, 2017.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.