SB1527eng 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB1527 Engrossed LRB100 08530 HLH 18655 b

AN ACT concerning State government.

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

Section 5. The Open Meetings Act is amended by changing Sections 2.01 and 7 as follows:

(5 ILCS 120/2.01) (from Ch. 102, par. 42.01)

Sec. 2.01. All meetings required by this Act to be public shall be held at specified times and places which are convenient and open to the public. No meeting required by this Act to be public shall be held on a legal holiday unless the regular meeting day falls on that holiday.

A quorum of members of a public body must be physically present at the location of an open meeting. If, however, an open meeting of a public body (i) with statewide jurisdiction, (ii) that is an Illinois library system with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles, (iii) that is a municipal transit district with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles, or (iv) that is a local workforce investment area with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles is held simultaneously at one of its offices and one or more other locations in a public building, which may include other of its offices, through an interactive video conference and the public body provides public notice and public access as required under this Act for all locations, then members physically present in those locations all count towards determining a quorum. "Public building", as used in this Section, means any building or portion thereof owned or leased by any public body. The requirement that a quorum be physically present at the location of an open meeting shall not apply, however, to State advisory boards or bodies that do not have authority to make binding recommendations or determinations or to take any other substantive action.

A quorum of members of a public body that is not (i) a public body with statewide jurisdiction, (ii) an Illinois library system with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles, (iii) a municipal transit district with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles, or (iv) a local workforce innovation investment area with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles must be physically present at the location of a closed meeting. Other members who are not physically present at a closed meeting of such a public body may participate in the meeting by means of a video or audio conference. For the purposes of this Section, "local workforce innovation investment area" means any local workforce innovation investment area or areas designated by the Governor pursuant to the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Workforce Investment Act of 1998 or its reauthorizing legislation.

(Source: P.A. 98-992, eff. 8-18-14.)

(5 ILCS 120/7)

Sec. 7. Attendance by a means other than physical presence.

(a) If a quorum of the members of the public body is physically present as required by Section 2.01, a majority of the public body may allow a member of that body to attend the meeting by other means if the member is prevented from physically attending because of: (i) personal illness or disability; (ii) employment purposes or the business of the public body; or (iii) a family or other emergency. "Other means" is by video or audio conference.

(b) If a member wishes to attend a meeting by other means, the member must notify the recording secretary or clerk of the public body before the meeting unless advance notice is impractical.

(c) A majority of the public body may allow a member to attend a meeting by other means only in accordance with and to the extent allowed by rules adopted by the public body. The rules must conform to the requirements and restrictions of this Section, may further limit the extent to which attendance by other means is allowed, and may provide for the giving of additional notice to the public or further facilitate public access to meetings.

(d) The limitations of this Section shall not apply to (i) closed meetings of (A) public bodies with statewide jurisdiction, (B) Illinois library systems with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles, (C) municipal transit districts with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles, or (D) local workforce innovation investment areas with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles or (ii) open or closed meetings of State advisory boards or bodies that do not have authority to make binding recommendations or determinations or to take any other substantive action. State advisory boards or bodies, public bodies with statewide jurisdiction, Illinois library systems with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles, municipal transit districts with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles, and local workforce investment areas with jurisdiction over a specific geographic area of more than 4,500 square miles, however, may permit members to attend meetings by other means only in accordance with and to the extent allowed by specific procedural rules adopted by the body. For the purposes of this Section, "local workforce innovation investment area" means any local workforce innovation investment area or areas designated by the Governor pursuant to the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Workforce Investment Act of 1998 or its reauthorizing legislation.

(Source: P.A. 98-992, eff. 8-18-14.)

Section 10. The Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by changing Section 5-550 as follows:

(20 ILCS 5/5-550) (was 20 ILCS 5/6.23)

Sec. 5-550. In the Department of Human Services. A State Rehabilitation Council, hereinafter referred to as the Council, is hereby established for the purpose of complying with the requirements of 34 CFR 361.16 and advising the Secretary of Human Services and the vocational rehabilitation administrator of the provisions of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 in matters concerning individuals with disabilities and the provision of vocational rehabilitation services. The Council shall consist of members appointed by the Governor after soliciting recommendations from organizations representing a broad range of individuals with disabilities and organizations interested in individuals with disabilities. However, the Governor may delegate his appointing authority under this Section to the Council by executive order.

The Council shall consist of the following appointed members:

(1) One representative of a parent training center established in accordance with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

(2) One representative of the Client Assistance Program.

(3) One vocational rehabilitation counselor who has knowledge of and experience with vocational rehabilitation programs. If an employee of the Department of Human Services is appointed under this item, then he or she shall serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member.

(4) One representative of community rehabilitation program service providers.

(5) Four representatives of business, industry, and labor.

(6) At least two but not more than five representatives of disability advocacy groups representing a cross section of the following:

(A) individuals with physical, cognitive, sensory, and mental disabilities; and

(B) parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representative of individuals with disabilities who have difficulty in representing themselves or who are unable, due to their disabilities, to represent themselves.

(7) One current or former applicant for, or recipient of, vocational rehabilitation services.

(8) One representative from secondary or higher education.

(9) One representative of the State Workforce Innovation Investment Board.

(10) One representative of the Illinois State Board of Education who is knowledgeable about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

(11) The chairperson of, or a member designated by, the Statewide Independent Living Council established under Section 12a of the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Act.

(12) The chairperson of, or a member designated by, the Blind Services Planning Council established under Section 7 of the Bureau for the Blind Act.

(13) The vocational rehabilitation administrator, as defined in Section 1b of the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Act, who shall serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member.

The Council shall select a Chairperson.

The Chairperson and a majority of the members of the Council shall be persons who are individuals with disabilities. At least one member shall be a senior citizen age 60 or over, and at least one member shall be at least 18 but not more than 25 years old. A majority of the Council members shall not be employees of the Department of Human Services.

Members appointed to the Council for full terms on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly shall be appointed for terms of 3 years. No Council member, other than the vocational rehabilitation administrator and the representative of the Client Assistance Program, shall serve for more than 2 consecutive terms as a representative of one of the 13 enumerated categories. If an individual, other than the vocational rehabilitation administrator and the representative of the Client Assistance Program, has completed 2 consecutive terms and is eligible to seek appointment as a representative of one of the other enumerated categories, then that individual may be appointed to serve as a representative of one of those other enumerated categories after a meaningful break in Council service, as defined by the Council through its by-laws.

Vacancies for unexpired terms shall be filled. Individuals appointed by the appointing authority to fill an unexpired term shall complete the remainder of the vacated term. When the initial term of a person appointed to fill a vacancy is completed, the individual appointed to fill that vacancy may be re-appointed by the appointing authority to the vacated position for one subsequent term.

If an excessive number of expired terms and vacated terms combine to place an undue burden on the Council, the appointing authority may appoint members for terms of 1, 2, or 3 years. The appointing authority shall determine the terms of Council members to ensure the number of terms expiring each year is as close to equal as possible.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a member who is serving on the Council on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly and whose term expires as a result of the changes made by this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly may complete the unexpired portion of his or her term.

Members shall be reimbursed in accordance with State laws, rules, and rates for expenses incurred in the performance of their approved, Council-related duties, including expenses for travel, child care, or personal assistance services. A member who is not employed or who must forfeit wages from other employment may be paid reasonable compensation, as determined by the Department, for each day the member is engaged in performing approved duties of the Council.

The Council shall meet at least 4 times per year at times and places designated by the Chairperson upon 10 days written notice to the members. Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson or 7 members of the Council upon 7 days written notice to the other members. Nine members shall constitute a quorum. No member of the Council shall cast a vote on any matter that would provide direct financial benefit to the member or otherwise give the appearance of a conflict of interest under Illinois law.

The Council shall prepare and submit to the vocational rehabilitation administrator the reports and findings that the vocational rehabilitation administrator may request or that the Council deems fit. The Council shall select jointly with the vocational rehabilitation administrator a pool of qualified persons to serve as impartial hearing officers. The Council shall, with the vocational rehabilitation unit in the Department, jointly develop, agree to, and review annually State goals and priorities and jointly submit annual reports of progress to the federal Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration.

To the extent that there is a disagreement between the Council and the unit within the Department of Human Services responsible for the administration of the vocational rehabilitation program, regarding the resources necessary to carry out the functions of the Council as set forth in this Section, the disagreement shall be resolved by the Governor.

(Source: P.A. 98-76, eff. 7-15-13; 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

Section 15. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by changing Section 605-750 as follows:

(20 ILCS 605/605-750)

Sec. 605-750. Posting requirements; Illinois Workforce Innovation Investment Board. The Department must comply with the Internet posting requirements set forth in Section 7.2 of the Illinois Workforce Innovation Investment Board Act. The information must be posted on the Department's Internet website no later than 30 days after the Department receives the information from the Illinois Workforce Innovation Investment Board.

(Source: P.A. 97-356, eff. 1-1-12.)

Section 20. The Illinois Emergency Employment Development Act is amended by changing Section 2 as follows:

(20 ILCS 630/2) (from Ch. 48, par. 2402)

Sec. 2. For the purposes of this Act, the following words have the meanings ascribed to them in this Section.

(a) "Advisory Committee" means the 21st Century Workforce Development Fund Advisory Committee.

(b) "Coordinator" means the Illinois Emergency Employment Development Coordinator appointed under Section 3.

(c) "Department" means the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

(d) "Director" means the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

(e) "Eligible business" means a for-profit business.

(f) "Eligible employer" means an eligible nonprofit agency, or an eligible business.

(g) "Eligible job applicant" means a person who (1) has been a resident of this State for at least one year; and (2) is unemployed; and (3) is not receiving and is not qualified to receive unemployment compensation or workers' compensation; and (4) is determined by the employment administrator to be likely to be available for employment by an eligible employer for the duration of the job.

(h) "Eligible nonprofit agency" means an organization exempt from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, Section 501(c)(3).

(i) "Employment administrator" means the administrative entity designated by the Coordinator, and approved by the Advisory Committee, to administer the provisions of this Act in each service delivery area. With approval of the Advisory Committee, the Coordinator may designate an administrative entity authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Workforce Investment Act or private, public, or non-profit entities that have proven effectiveness in providing training, workforce development, and job placement services to low-income individuals.

(j) "Fringe benefits" means all non-salary costs for each person employed under the program, including, but not limited to, workers compensation, unemployment insurance, and health benefits, as would be provided to non-subsidized employees performing similar work.

(k) "Household" means a group of persons living at the same residence consisting of, at a maximum, spouses and the minor children of each.

(l) "Program" means the Illinois Emergency Employment Development Program created by this Act consisting of new job creation in the private sector.

(m) "Service delivery area" means an area designated as a Local Workforce Investment Area by the State.

(n) "Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act" "Workforce Investment Act" means the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Workforce Investment Act of 1998, any amendments to that Act, and any other applicable federal statutes.

(Source: P.A. 99-576, eff. 7-15-16.)

Section 25. The Department of Employment Security Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by changing Section 1005-155 as follows:

(20 ILCS 1005/1005-155)

Sec. 1005-155. Illinois workNet Employment and Training Centers report. The Department of Employment Security, or the State agency responsible for the oversight of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Workforce Investment Act of 1998 if that agency is not the Department of Employment Security, shall prepare a report for the Governor and the General Assembly regarding the progress of the Illinois Employment and Training Centers in serving individuals with disabilities. The report must include, but is not limited to, the following: (i) the number of individuals referred to the Illinois Employment and Training Centers by the Department of Human Services Office of Rehabilitation Services; (ii) the total number of individuals with disabilities served by the Illinois Employment and Training Centers; (iii) the number of individuals with disabilities served in federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Workforce Investment Act of 1998 employment and training programs; (iv) the number of individuals with disabilities annually placed in jobs by the Illinois Employment and Training Centers; and (v) the number of individuals with disabilities referred by the Illinois Employment and Training Centers to the Department of Human Services Office of Rehabilitation Services. The report is due by December 31, 2004 based on the previous State program year of July 1 through June 30, and is due annually thereafter. "Individuals with disabilities" are defined as those who self-report as being qualified as disabled under the 1973 Rehabilitation Act or the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, for the purposes of this Law.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

Section 30. The Illinois Guaranteed Job Opportunity Act is amended by changing Section 35 as follows:

(20 ILCS 1510/35)

Sec. 35. Local Job Projects.

(a) General authority. The Department may accept applications and issue grants for operation of projects under this Act.

(b) Project. Subject to appropriation, no more than 3 small projects may be selected to pilot a subsidized employment to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program for participants for a period of not more than 6 months. The selected projects shall demonstrate their ability to move clients from participation in the project to unsubsidized employment. The Department may refer TANF participants to other subsidized employment programs available through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Workforce Investment Act (WIA) One Stops or through other community-based programs.

(c) Political affiliation prohibited. No manager or other officer or employee of the job project assisted under this Act may apply a political affiliation test in selecting eligible participation for employment in the project.

(d) Limitations.

(1) Not more than 10% of the total expenses in any fiscal year of the job project may be used for transportation and equipment.

(2) (Blank).

(e) Minimum hours per week employed. No eligible participant employed in a job project assisted under this Act may be employed on the project for less than 30 hours per week.

(f) (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 93-46, eff. 7-1-03.)

Section 35. The Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Act is amended by changing Section 3 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2405/3) (from Ch. 23, par. 3434)

Sec. 3. Powers and duties. The Department shall have the powers and duties enumerated herein:

(a) To co-operate with the federal government in the administration of the provisions of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Workforce Investment Act of 1998, and of the federal Social Security Act to the extent and in the manner provided in these Acts.

(b) To prescribe and supervise such courses of vocational training and provide such other services as may be necessary for the habilitation and rehabilitation of persons with one or more disabilities, including the administrative activities under subsection (e) of this Section, and to co-operate with State and local school authorities and other recognized agencies engaged in habilitation, rehabilitation and comprehensive rehabilitation services; and to cooperate with the Department of Children and Family Services regarding the care and education of children with one or more disabilities.

(c) (Blank).

(d) To report in writing, to the Governor, annually on or before the first day of December, and at such other times and in such manner and upon such subjects as the Governor may require. The annual report shall contain (1) a statement of the existing condition of comprehensive rehabilitation services, habilitation and rehabilitation in the State; (2) a statement of suggestions and recommendations with reference to the development of comprehensive rehabilitation services, habilitation and rehabilitation in the State; and (3) an itemized statement of the amounts of money received from federal, State and other sources, and of the objects and purposes to which the respective items of these several amounts have been devoted.

(e) (Blank).

(f) To establish a program of services to prevent the unnecessary institutionalization of persons in need of long term care and who meet the criteria for blindness or disability as defined by the Social Security Act, thereby enabling them to remain in their own homes. Such preventive services include any or all of the following:

(1) personal assistant services;

(2) homemaker services;

(3) home-delivered meals;

(4) adult day care services;

(5) respite care;

(6) home modification or assistive equipment;

(7) home health services;

(8) electronic home response;

(9) brain injury behavioral/cognitive services;

(10) brain injury habilitation;

(11) brain injury pre-vocational services; or

(12) brain injury supported employment.

The Department shall establish eligibility standards for such services taking into consideration the unique economic and social needs of the population for whom they are to be provided. Such eligibility standards may be based on the recipient's ability to pay for services; provided, however, that any portion of a person's income that is equal to or less than the "protected income" level shall not be considered by the Department in determining eligibility. The "protected income" level shall be determined by the Department, shall never be less than the federal poverty standard, and shall be adjusted each year to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index For All Urban Consumers as determined by the United States Department of Labor. The standards must provide that a person may not have more than $10,000 in assets to be eligible for the services, and the Department may increase or decrease the asset limitation by rule. The Department may not decrease the asset level below $10,000.

The services shall be provided, as established by the Department by rule, to eligible persons to prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization, to the extent that the cost of the services, together with the other personal maintenance expenses of the persons, are reasonably related to the standards established for care in a group facility appropriate to their condition. These non-institutional services, pilot projects or experimental facilities may be provided as part of or in addition to those authorized by federal law or those funded and administered by the Illinois Department on Aging. The Department shall set rates and fees for services in a fair and equitable manner. Services identical to those offered by the Department on Aging shall be paid at the same rate.

Personal assistants shall be paid at a rate negotiated between the State and an exclusive representative of personal assistants under a collective bargaining agreement. In no case shall the Department pay personal assistants an hourly wage that is less than the federal minimum wage.

Solely for the purposes of coverage under the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act (5 ILCS 315/), personal assistants providing services under the Department's Home Services Program shall be considered to be public employees and the State of Illinois shall be considered to be their employer as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly, but not before. Solely for the purposes of coverage under the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act, home care and home health workers who function as personal assistants and individual maintenance home health workers and who also provide services under the Department's Home Services Program shall be considered to be public employees, no matter whether the State provides such services through direct fee-for-service arrangements, with the assistance of a managed care organization or other intermediary, or otherwise, and the State of Illinois shall be considered to be the employer of those persons as of January 29, 2013 (the effective date of Public Act 97-1158), but not before except as otherwise provided under this subsection (f). The State shall engage in collective bargaining with an exclusive representative of home care and home health workers who function as personal assistants and individual maintenance home health workers working under the Home Services Program concerning their terms and conditions of employment that are within the State's control. Nothing in this paragraph shall be understood to limit the right of the persons receiving services defined in this Section to hire and fire home care and home health workers who function as personal assistants and individual maintenance home health workers working under the Home Services Program or to supervise them within the limitations set by the Home Services Program. The State shall not be considered to be the employer of home care and home health workers who function as personal assistants and individual maintenance home health workers working under the Home Services Program for any purposes not specifically provided in Public Act 93-204 or Public Act 97-1158, including but not limited to, purposes of vicarious liability in tort and purposes of statutory retirement or health insurance benefits. Home care and home health workers who function as personal assistants and individual maintenance home health workers and who also provide services under the Department's Home Services Program shall not be covered by the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971 (5 ILCS 375/).

The Department shall execute, relative to nursing home prescreening, as authorized by Section 4.03 of the Illinois Act on the Aging, written inter-agency agreements with the Department on Aging and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, to effect the intake procedures and eligibility criteria for those persons who may need long term care. On and after July 1, 1996, all nursing home prescreenings for individuals 18 through 59 years of age shall be conducted by the Department, or a designee of the Department.

The Department is authorized to establish a system of recipient cost-sharing for services provided under this Section. The cost-sharing shall be based upon the recipient's ability to pay for services, but in no case shall the recipient's share exceed the actual cost of the services provided. Protected income shall not be considered by the Department in its determination of the recipient's ability to pay a share of the cost of services. The level of cost-sharing shall be adjusted each year to reflect changes in the "protected income" level. The Department shall deduct from the recipient's share of the cost of services any money expended by the recipient for disability-related expenses.

To the extent permitted under the federal Social Security Act, the Department, or the Department's authorized representative, may recover the amount of moneys expended for services provided to or in behalf of a person under this Section by a claim against the person's estate or against the estate of the person's surviving spouse, but no recovery may be had until after the death of the surviving spouse, if any, and then only at such time when there is no surviving child who is under age 21 or blind or who has a permanent and total disability. This paragraph, however, shall not bar recovery, at the death of the person, of moneys for services provided to the person or in behalf of the person under this Section to which the person was not entitled; provided that such recovery shall not be enforced against any real estate while it is occupied as a homestead by the surviving spouse or other dependent, if no claims by other creditors have been filed against the estate, or, if such claims have been filed, they remain dormant for failure of prosecution or failure of the claimant to compel administration of the estate for the purpose of payment. This paragraph shall not bar recovery from the estate of a spouse, under Sections 1915 and 1924 of the Social Security Act and Section 5-4 of the Illinois Public Aid Code, who precedes a person receiving services under this Section in death. All moneys for services paid to or in behalf of the person under this Section shall be claimed for recovery from the deceased spouse's estate. "Homestead", as used in this paragraph, means the dwelling house and contiguous real estate occupied by a surviving spouse or relative, as defined by the rules and regulations of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, regardless of the value of the property.

The Department shall submit an annual report on programs and services provided under this Section. The report shall be filed with the Governor and the General Assembly on or before March 30 each year.

The requirement for reporting to the General Assembly shall be satisfied by filing copies of the report with the Speaker, the Minority Leader and the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the President, the Minority Leader and the Secretary of the Senate and the Legislative Research Unit, as required by Section 3.1 of the General Assembly Organization Act, and filing additional copies with the State Government Report Distribution Center for the General Assembly as required under paragraph (t) of Section 7 of the State Library Act.

(g) To establish such subdivisions of the Department as shall be desirable and assign to the various subdivisions the responsibilities and duties placed upon the Department by law.

(h) To cooperate and enter into any necessary agreements with the Department of Employment Security for the provision of job placement and job referral services to clients of the Department, including job service registration of such clients with Illinois Employment Security offices and making job listings maintained by the Department of Employment Security available to such clients.

(i) To possess all powers reasonable and necessary for the exercise and administration of the powers, duties and responsibilities of the Department which are provided for by law.

(j) (Blank).

(k) (Blank).

(l) To establish, operate and maintain a Statewide Housing Clearinghouse of information on available, government subsidized housing accessible to persons with disabilities and available privately owned housing accessible to persons with disabilities. The information shall include but not be limited to the location, rental requirements, access features and proximity to public transportation of available housing. The Clearinghouse shall consist of at least a computerized database for the storage and retrieval of information and a separate or shared toll free telephone number for use by those seeking information from the Clearinghouse. Department offices and personnel throughout the State shall also assist in the operation of the Statewide Housing Clearinghouse. Cooperation with local, State and federal housing managers shall be sought and extended in order to frequently and promptly update the Clearinghouse's information.

(m) To assure that the names and case records of persons who received or are receiving services from the Department, including persons receiving vocational rehabilitation, home services, or other services, and those attending one of the Department's schools or other supervised facility shall be confidential and not be open to the general public. Those case records and reports or the information contained in those records and reports shall be disclosed by the Director only to proper law enforcement officials, individuals authorized by a court, the General Assembly or any committee or commission of the General Assembly, and other persons and for reasons as the Director designates by rule. Disclosure by the Director may be only in accordance with other applicable law.

(Source: P.A. 98-1004, eff. 8-18-14; 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

Section 40. The Illinois Workforce Investment Board Act is amended by changing Sections 1, 2.5, 3, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 7.2, 7.5, and 8 as follows:

(20 ILCS 3975/1) (from Ch. 48, par. 2101)

Sec. 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Illinois Workforce Innovation Investment Board Act.

(Source: P.A. 92-588, eff. 7-1-02.)

(20 ILCS 3975/2.5)

Sec. 2.5. Purpose.

(a) Beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly, the Illinois Human Resource Investment Council shall be known as the Illinois Workforce Investment Board. Beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly, the Illinois Workforce Investment Board shall be known as the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board. The Illinois Workforce Innovation Investment Board is the State advisory board pertaining to workforce preparation policy. The Board shall ensure that Illinois' workforce preparation services and programs are coordinated and integrated and shall measure and evaluate the overall performance and results of these programs. The Board shall further cooperation between government and the private sector to meet the workforce preparation needs of employers and workers in Illinois. The Board shall provide ongoing oversight of programs and needed information about the functioning of labor markets in Illinois.

(b) The Board shall help Illinois create and maintain a workforce with the skills and abilities that will keep the economy productive.

(c) The Board shall meet the requirements of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

(Source: P.A. 92-588, eff. 7-1-02.)

(20 ILCS 3975/3) (from Ch. 48, par. 2103)

Sec. 3. Illinois Workforce Innovation Investment Board.

(a) The Illinois Workforce Innovation Investment Board shall include:

(1) the Governor;

(2) 2 members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House and 2 members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate; and

(3) for appointments made prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly, persons appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate (except in the case of a person holding an office or employment described in subparagraph (F) when appointment to the office or employment requires the advice and consent of the Senate), from among the following:

(A) representatives of business in this State who (i) are owners of businesses, chief executives or operating officers of businesses, or other business executives or employers with optimum policymaking or hiring authority, including members of local boards described in Section 117(b)(2)(A)(i) of the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998; (ii) represent businesses with employment opportunities that reflect the employment opportunities in the State; and (iii) are appointed from among individuals nominated by State business organizations and business trade associations;

(B) chief elected officials from cities and counties;

(C) representatives of labor organizations who have been nominated by State labor federations;

(D) representatives of individuals or organizations that have experience with youth activities;

(E) representatives of individuals or organizations that have experience and expertise in the delivery of workforce investment activities, including chief executive officers of community colleges and community-based organizations within the State;

(F) the lead State agency officials with responsibility for the programs and activities that are described in Section 121(b) of the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and carried out by one-stop partners and, in any case in which no lead State agency official has responsibility for such a program, service, or activity, a representative in the State with expertise in such program, service, or activity; and

(G) any other representatives and State agency officials that the Governor may appoint, including, but not limited to, one or more representatives of local public education, post-secondary institutions, secondary or post-secondary vocational education institutions, and community-based organizations; and .

(4) for appointments made on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly, persons appointed by the Governor in accordance with Section 101 of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate (except in the case of a person holding an office or employment with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois Community College Board, the Department of Employment Security, or the Department of Human Services when appointment to the office or employment requires the consent of the Senate).

(b) (Blank). Members of the Board that represent organizations, agencies, or other entities must be individuals with optimum policymaking authority within the organization, agency, or entity. The members of the Board must represent diverse regions of the State, including urban, rural, and suburban areas.

(c) (Blank). A majority of the members of the Board must be representatives described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subsection (a). There must be at least 2 members from each of the categories described in subparagraphs (D) and (E) of paragraph (3) of subsection (a). There must be at least 3 members from the category described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (3) of subsection (a). A majority of any committee the Board may establish for the purpose of general oversight, control, supervision, or management of the Board's business must be representatives described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subsection (a); any such committee must also include at least one representative from each of the categories described in subparagraphs (C) through (E) of paragraph (3) of subsection (a) and may include one or more representatives from any other categories described in paragraph (3) of subsection (a).

(d) The Governor shall select a chairperson as provided in the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act for the Board from among the representatives described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subsection (a).

(d-5) (Blank).

(e) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly does not affect the tenure of any member appointed to and serving on the Illinois Human Resource Investment Council on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly. Members of the Board nominated for appointment in 2000, 2001, or 2002 shall serve for fixed and staggered terms, as designated by the Governor, expiring no later than July 1 of the second calendar year succeeding their respective appointments or until their successors are appointed and qualified. Members of the Board nominated for appointment after 2002 shall serve for terms expiring on July 1 of the second calendar year succeeding their respective appointments, or until their successors are appointed and qualified. A State official or employee serving on the Board under subparagraph (F) of paragraph (3) of subsection (a) by virtue of his or her State office or employment shall serve during the term of that office or employment. A vacancy is created in situations including, but not limited to, those in which an individual serving on the Board ceases to satisfy all of the requirements for appointment under the provision under which he or she was appointed. The Governor may at any time make appointments to fill vacancies for the balance of an unexpired term. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. Members shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

(f) The Board shall meet at least 4 times per calendar year at times and in places that it deems necessary. The Board shall be subject to the Open Meetings Act and, to the extent required by that law, its meetings shall be publicly announced and open and accessible to the general public. The Board shall adopt any rules and operating procedures that it deems necessary to carry out its responsibilities under this Act and under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

(Source: P.A. 92-588, eff. 7-1-02.)

(20 ILCS 3975/4.5)

Sec. 4.5. Duties.

(a) The Board must perform all the functions of a state workforce innovation investment board under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Workforce Investment Act of 1998, any amendments to that Act, and any other applicable federal statutes. The Board must also perform all other functions that are not inconsistent with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Workforce Investment Act of 1998 or this Act and that are assumed by the Board under its bylaws or assigned to it by the Governor.

(b) The Board must cooperate with the General Assembly and make recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly concerning legislation necessary to improve upon statewide and local workforce development investment systems in order to increase occupational skill attainment, employment, retention, or earnings of participants and thereby improve the quality of the workforce, reduce welfare dependency, and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the State. The Board must annually submit a report to the General Assembly on the progress of the State in achieving state performance measures under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Workforce Investment Act of 1998, including information on the levels of performance achieved by the State with respect to the core indicators of performance and the customer satisfaction indicator under that Act. The report must include any other items that the Governor may be required to report to the Secretary of the United States Department of Labor under Section 136(d) of the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

(b-5) The Board shall implement a method for measuring the progress of the State's workforce development system by using benchmarks specified in the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. specified benchmarks. Those benchmarks are: (i) the educational level of working adults; (ii) the percentage of the adult workforce in education and training; (iii) adult literacy; (iv) the percentage of high school graduates transitioning to education or training; (v) the high school dropout rate; (vi) the number of youth transitioning from 8th grade to 9th grade; (vii) the percentage of individuals and families at economic self-sufficiency; (viii) the average growth in pay; (ix) net job growth; and (x) productivity per employee.

The Board shall identify the most significant early indicators for each benchmark, establish a mechanism to collect data and track the benchmarks on an annual basis, and then use the results to set goals for each benchmark, to inform planning, and to ensure the effective use of State resources.

(c) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require or allow the Board to assume or supersede the statutory authority granted to, or impose any duties or requirements on, the State Board of Education, the Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, any State agencies created under the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, or any local education agencies.

(d) No actions taken by the Illinois Human Resource Investment Council before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly and no rights, powers, duties, or obligations from those actions are impaired solely by this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly. All actions taken by the Illinois Human Resource Investment Council before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly are ratified and validated.

(Source: P.A. 92-588, eff. 7-1-02; 93-331, eff. 1-1-04.)

(20 ILCS 3975/5) (from Ch. 48, par. 2105)

Sec. 5. Plans; expenditures. The plans and decisions of the Board shall be subject to approval by the Governor. All funds received by the State pursuant to the federal Job Training Partnership Act or the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Workforce Investment Act of 1998 shall be expended only pursuant to appropriation.

(Source: P.A. 92-588, eff. 7-1-02.)

(20 ILCS 3975/6) (from Ch. 48, par. 2106)

Sec. 6. Programs and services, conflict of interest. In order to assure objective management and oversight, the Board shall not operate programs or provide services directly to eligible participants, but shall exist solely to plan, coordinate and monitor the provisions of such programs and services.

A member of the Board may not (1) vote on a matter under consideration by the Board that (a) regards the provision of services by the member or by an entity that the member represents or (b) would provide direct financial benefit to the member or the immediate family of the member or (2) engage in any other activity determined by the Governor to constitute a conflict of interest as specified in the State plan established under the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

(Source: P.A. 92-588, eff. 7-1-02.)

(20 ILCS 3975/7) (from Ch. 48, par. 2107)

Sec. 7. Personnel. The Board is authorized to obtain the services of any professional, technical and clerical personnel that may be necessary to carry out its functions under this Act and under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

(Source: P.A. 92-588, eff. 7-1-02.)

(20 ILCS 3975/7.2)

Sec. 7.2. Posting requirements; Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's website. On and after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, the Illinois Workforce Innovation Investment Board must annually submit to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity the following information to be posted on the Department's official Internet website:

(1) All agendas and meeting minutes for meetings of the Illinois Workforce Innovation Investment Board.

(2) All line-item budgets for the local workforce investment areas located within the State.

(3) A listing of all contracts and contract values for all workforce development training and service providers.

The information required under this Section must be posted on the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Internet website no later than 30 days after the Department receives the information from the Illinois Workforce Innovation Investment Board.

(Source: P.A. 97-356, eff. 1-1-12.)

(20 ILCS 3975/7.5)

Sec. 7.5. Procurement. The Illinois Workforce Innovation Investment Board is subject to the Illinois Procurement Code, to the extent consistent with all applicable federal laws.

(Source: P.A. 97-356, eff. 1-1-12.)

(20 ILCS 3975/8) (from Ch. 48, par. 2108)

Sec. 8. Audits. The Illinois Workforce Innovation Investment Board and any recipient of funds under this Act shall be subject to audits conducted by the Auditor General with respect to all funds appropriated for the purposes of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 92-588, eff. 7-1-02.)

Section 45. The Commission on the Elimination of Poverty Act is amended by changing Section 15 as follows:

(20 ILCS 4080/15)

Sec. 15. Members. The Commission on the Elimination of Poverty shall be composed of no more than 26 voting members including 2 members of the Illinois House of Representatives, one appointed by the Speaker of the House and one appointed by the House Minority Leader; 2 members of the Illinois Senate, one appointed by the Senate President and one appointed by the Senate Minority Leader; one representative of the Office of the Governor appointed by the Governor; one representative of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor appointed by the Lieutenant Governor; and 20 public members, 4 of whom shall be appointed by the Governor, 4 of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House, 4 of whom shall be appointed by the House Minority Leader, 4 of whom shall be appointed by the Senate President, and 4 of whom shall be appointed by the Senate Minority Leader. It shall be determined by lot who will appoint which public members of the Commission. The public members shall include a representative of a service-based human rights organization; 2 representatives from anti-poverty organizations, including one that focuses on rural poverty; 2 individuals who have experienced extreme poverty; a representative of an organization that advocates for health care access, affordability and availability; a representative of an organization that advocates for persons with mental illness; a representative of an organization that advocates for children and youth; a representative of an organization that advocates for quality and equality in education; a representative of an organization that advocates for people who are homeless; a representative of a statewide anti-hunger organization; a person with a disability; a representative of an organization that advocates for persons with disabilities; a representative of an organization that advocates for immigrants; a representative of a statewide faith-based organization that provides direct social services in Illinois; a representative of an organization that advocates for economic security for women; a representative of an organization that advocates for older adults; a representative of a labor organization that represents primarily low and middle-income wage earners; a representative of a municipal or county government; and a representative of township government. The appointed members shall reflect the racial, gender, and geographic diversity of the State and shall include representation from regions of the State experiencing the highest rates of extreme poverty.

The following officials shall serve as ex-officio members: the Secretary of Human Services or his or her designee; the Director of Corrections or his or her designee; the Director of Healthcare and Family Services or his or her designee; the Director of Human Rights or his or her designee; the Director of Children and Family Services or his or her designee; the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity or his or her designee; the State Superintendent of Education or his or her designee; the Director of Aging or his or her designee; the Director of Public Health or his or her designee; and the Director of Employment Security or his or her designee. The State Workforce Innovation Investment Board, the African-American Family Commission, and the Latino Family Commission shall each designate a liaison to serve ex-officio on the Commission.

Members shall serve without compensation, but, subject to the availability of funds, public members may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary travel expenses connected to Commission business.

Commission members shall be appointed within 60 days after the effective date of this Act. The Commission shall hold its initial meeting within 30 days after at least 50% of the members have been appointed.

The representative of the Office of the Governor and the representative of a service-based human rights organization shall serve as co-chairs of the Commission.

At the first meeting of the Commission, the members shall select a 7-person Steering Committee that includes the co-chairs.

The Commission may establish committees that address specific issues or populations and may appoint individuals with relevant expertise who are not appointed members of the Commission to serve on committees as needed.

Subject to appropriation, the office of the Governor, or a designee of the Governor's choosing, shall provide administrative support to the Commission.

(Source: P.A. 95-833, eff. 8-15-08; 96-64, eff. 7-23-09.)

Section 55. The Higher Education Student Assistance Act is amended by changing Section 35 as follows:

(110 ILCS 947/35)

Sec. 35. Monetary award program.

(a) The Commission shall, each year, receive and consider applications for grant assistance under this Section. Subject to a separate appropriation for such purposes, an applicant is eligible for a grant under this Section when the Commission finds that the applicant:

(1) is a resident of this State and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States; and

(2) in the absence of grant assistance, will be deterred by financial considerations from completing an educational program at the qualified institution of his or her choice.

(b) The Commission shall award renewals only upon the student's application and upon the Commission's finding that the applicant:

(1) has remained a student in good standing;

(2) remains a resident of this State; and

(3) is in a financial situation that continues to warrant assistance.

(c) All grants shall be applicable only to tuition and necessary fee costs. The Commission shall determine the grant amount for each student, which shall not exceed the smallest of the following amounts:

(1) subject to appropriation, $5,468 for fiscal year 2009, $5,968 for fiscal year 2010, and $6,468 for fiscal year 2011 and each fiscal year thereafter, or such lesser amount as the Commission finds to be available, during an academic year;

(2) the amount which equals 2 semesters or 3 quarters tuition and other necessary fees required generally by the institution of all full-time undergraduate students; or

(3) such amount as the Commission finds to be appropriate in view of the applicant's financial resources.

Subject to appropriation, the maximum grant amount for students not subject to subdivision (1) of this subsection (c) must be increased by the same percentage as any increase made by law to the maximum grant amount under subdivision (1) of this subsection (c).

"Tuition and other necessary fees" as used in this Section include the customary charge for instruction and use of facilities in general, and the additional fixed fees charged for specified purposes, which are required generally of nongrant recipients for each academic period for which the grant applicant actually enrolls, but do not include fees payable only once or breakage fees and other contingent deposits which are refundable in whole or in part. The Commission may prescribe, by rule not inconsistent with this Section, detailed provisions concerning the computation of tuition and other necessary fees.

(d) No applicant, including those presently receiving scholarship assistance under this Act, is eligible for monetary award program consideration under this Act after receiving a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent of 135 semester credit hours of award payments.

(e) The Commission, in determining the number of grants to be offered, shall take into consideration past experience with the rate of grant funds unclaimed by recipients. The Commission shall notify applicants that grant assistance is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds.

(e-5) The General Assembly finds and declares that it is an important purpose of the Monetary Award Program to facilitate access to college both for students who pursue postsecondary education immediately following high school and for those who pursue postsecondary education later in life, particularly Illinoisans who are dislocated workers with financial need and who are seeking to improve their economic position through education. For the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 academic years, the Commission shall give additional and specific consideration to the needs of dislocated workers with the intent of allowing applicants who are dislocated workers an opportunity to secure financial assistance even if applying later than the general pool of applicants. The Commission's consideration shall include, in determining the number of grants to be offered, an estimate of the resources needed to serve dislocated workers who apply after the Commission initially suspends award announcements for the upcoming regular academic year, but prior to the beginning of that academic year. For the purposes of this subsection (e-5), a dislocated worker is defined as in the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

(f) The Commission may request appropriations for deposit into the Monetary Award Program Reserve Fund. Monies deposited into the Monetary Award Program Reserve Fund may be expended exclusively for one purpose: to make Monetary Award Program grants to eligible students. Amounts on deposit in the Monetary Award Program Reserve Fund may not exceed 2% of the current annual State appropriation for the Monetary Award Program.

The purpose of the Monetary Award Program Reserve Fund is to enable the Commission each year to assure as many students as possible of their eligibility for a Monetary Award Program grant and to do so before commencement of the academic year. Moneys deposited in this Reserve Fund are intended to enhance the Commission's management of the Monetary Award Program, minimizing the necessity, magnitude, and frequency of adjusting award amounts and ensuring that the annual Monetary Award Program appropriation can be fully utilized.

(g) The Commission shall determine the eligibility of and make grants to applicants enrolled at qualified for-profit institutions in accordance with the criteria set forth in this Section. The eligibility of applicants enrolled at such for-profit institutions shall be limited as follows:

(1) Beginning with the academic year 1997, only to eligible first-time freshmen and first-time transfer students who have attained an associate degree.

(2) Beginning with the academic year 1998, only to eligible freshmen students, transfer students who have attained an associate degree, and students who receive a grant under paragraph (1) for the academic year 1997 and whose grants are being renewed for the academic year 1998.

(3) Beginning with the academic year 1999, to all eligible students.

(Source: P.A. 98-967, eff. 8-15-14.)

Section 60. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by changing Section 9A-3 as follows:

(305 ILCS 5/9A-3) (from Ch. 23, par. 9A-3)

Sec. 9A-3. Establishment of Program and Level of Services.

(a) The Illinois Department shall establish and maintain a program to provide recipients with services consistent with the purposes and provisions of this Article. The program offered in different counties of the State may vary depending on the resources available to the State to provide a program under this Article, and no program may be offered in some counties, depending on the resources available. Services may be provided directly by the Illinois Department or through contract. References to the Illinois Department or staff of the Illinois Department shall include contractors when the Illinois Department has entered into contracts for these purposes. The Illinois Department shall provide each recipient who participates with such services available under the program as are necessary to achieve his employability plan as specified in the plan.

(b) The Illinois Department, in operating the program, shall cooperate with public and private education and vocational training or retraining agencies or facilities, the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Community College Board, the Departments of Employment Security and Commerce and Economic Opportunity or other sponsoring organizations funded under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Workforce Investment Act and other public or licensed private employment agencies.

(Source: P.A. 93-598, eff. 8-26-03; 94-793, eff. 5-19-06.)

Section 65. The Afterschool Youth Development Project Act is amended by changing Section 15 as follows:

(325 ILCS 27/15)

Sec. 15. Illinois Youth Development Council.

(a) Creation. In order to effectively achieve the policy established in this Act, the Illinois Youth Development Council shall be created. The purpose of the Council is to provide oversight and coordination to the State's public funds currently invested to support positive youth development programs and activities and to set systemwide policies and priorities to accomplish the following 5 major objectives: (i) set afterschool program expansion priorities, such as addressing gaps in programming for specific ages and populations; (ii) create outcome measures and require all afterschool programs to be evaluated to ensure that outcomes are being met; (iii) oversee the establishment of a statewide program improvement system that provides technical assistance and capacity building to increase program participation and quality systemwide; (iv) monitor and assess afterschool program quality through outcome measures; and (v) establish State policy to support the attainment of outcomes. The Council shall be created within the Department of Human Services.

(b) Governance. The Illinois Youth Development Council shall reflect the regional, racial, socioeconomic, and cultural diversity of the State to ensure representation of the needs of all Illinois youth. The Council shall be composed of no less than 28 and no more than 32 members. The Council may establish a defined length of term for membership on the Council.

(1) Membership. The Council shall include representation from both public and private organizations comprised of the following:

(A) Four members of the General Assembly: one appointed by the President of the Senate, one appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, one appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and one appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(B) The chief administrators of the following State agencies: the Department of Human Services; the Illinois State Board of Education; the Department of Children and Family Services; the Department of Public Health; the Department of Juvenile Justice; the Department of Healthcare and Family Services; the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; the Illinois Board of Higher Education; and the Illinois Community College Board.

(C) The Chair of the Illinois Workforce Innovation Investment Board and the Executive Director of the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority.

The following Council members shall be appointed by the Governor:

(D) Two officials from a unit of local government.

(E) At least 3 representatives of direct youth service providers and faith-based providers.

(F) Three young people who are between the ages of 16 and 21 and who are members of the Youth Advisory Group as established in paragraph (2) of this subsection.

(G) Two parents of children between the ages of 6 and 19.

(H) One academic researcher in the field of youth development.

(I) Additional public members that include local government stakeholders and nongovernmental stakeholders with an interest in youth development and afterschool programs, including representation from the following private sector fields and constituencies: child and youth advocacy; children and youth with special needs; child and adolescent health; business; and law enforcement.

Persons may be nominated by organizations representing the fields outlined in this Section. The Governor shall designate one of the Council members who is a nongovernment stakeholder to serve as co-chairperson. The Council shall create a subcommittee of additional direct youth service providers as well as other subcommittees as deemed necessary.

(2) Youth Advisory Group. To ensure that the Council is responsive to the needs and priorities of Illinois' young people, the Council shall establish an independent Youth Advisory Group, which shall be composed of a diverse body of 15 youths between the ages of 14 and 19 from across the State. Members that surpass the age of 19 while serving on the Youth Advisory Group may complete the term of the appointment. The Youth Advisory Group shall be charged with: (i) presenting recommendations to the Council 4 times per year on issues related to afterschool and youth development programming and policy; and (ii) reviewing key programmatic, funding, and policy decisions made by the Council. To develop priorities and recommendations, the Youth Advisory Group may engage students from across the State via focus groups, on-line surveys, and other means. The Youth Advisory Group shall be administered by the Department of Human Services and facilitated by an independent, established youth organization with expertise in youth civic engagement. This youth civic engagement organization shall administer the application requirements and process and shall nominate 30 youth. The Department of Human Services shall select 15 of the nominees for the Youth Advisory Group, 3 of whom shall serve on the Council.

(c) Activities. The major objectives of the Council shall be accomplished through the following activities:

(1) Publishing an annual plan that sets system goals for Illinois' afterschool funding that include key indicators, performance standards, and outcome measures and that outlines funding evaluation and reporting requirements.

(2) Developing and maintaining a system and processes to collect and report consistent program and outcome data on all afterschool programs funded by State and local government.

(3) Developing linkages between afterschool data systems and other statewide youth program outcome data systems (e.g. schools, post-secondary education, juvenile justice, etc.).

(4) Developing procedures for implementing an evaluation of the statewide system of program providers, including programs established by this Act.

(5) Reviewing evaluation results and data reports to inform future investments and allocations and to shape State policy.

(6) Developing technical assistance and capacity-building infrastructure and ensuring appropriate workforce development strategies across agencies for those who will be working in afterschool programs.

(7) Reviewing and making public recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly with respect to the budgets for State youth services to ensure the adequacy of those budgets and alignment to system goals outlined in the plan described in paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(8) Developing and overseeing execution of a research agenda to inform future program planning.

(9) Providing strategic advice to other State agencies, the Illinois General Assembly, and Illinois' Constitutional Officers on afterschool-related activities statewide.

(10) Approving awards of grants to demonstration projects as outlined in Section 20 of this Act.

(d) Accountability. The Council shall annually report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the Council's progress towards its goals and objectives. The Department of Human Services shall provide resources to the Council, including administrative services and data collection and shall be responsible for conducting procurement processes required by the Act. The Department may contract with vendors to provide all or a portion of any necessary resources.

(Source: P.A. 96-1302, eff. 7-27-10.)

Section 70. The Unemployment Insurance Act is amended by changing Sections 500 and 502 as follows:

(820 ILCS 405/500) (from Ch. 48, par. 420)

Sec. 500. Eligibility for benefits. An unemployed individual shall be eligible to receive benefits with respect to any week only if the Director finds that:

A. He has registered for work at and thereafter has continued to report at an employment office in accordance with such regulations as the Director may prescribe, except that the Director may, by regulation, waive or alter either or both of the requirements of this subsection as to individuals attached to regular jobs, and as to such other types of cases or situations with respect to which he finds that compliance with such requirements would be oppressive or inconsistent with the purposes of this Act, provided that no such regulation shall conflict with Section 400 of this Act.

B. He has made a claim for benefits with respect to such week in accordance with such regulations as the Director may prescribe.

C. He is able to work, and is available for work; provided that during the period in question he was actively seeking work and he has certified such. Whenever requested to do so by the Director, the individual shall, in the manner the Director prescribes by regulation, inform the Department of the places at which he has sought work during the period in question. Nothing in this subsection shall limit the Director's approval of alternate methods of demonstrating an active search for work based on regular reporting to a trade union office.

1. If an otherwise eligible individual is unable to work or is unavailable for work on any normal workday of the week, he shall be eligible to receive benefits with respect to such week reduced by one-fifth of his weekly benefit amount for each day of such inability to work or unavailability for work. For the purposes of this paragraph, an individual who reports on a day subsequent to his designated report day shall be deemed unavailable for work on his report day if his failure to report on that day is without good cause, and on each intervening day, if any, on which his failure to report is without good cause. As used in the preceding sentence, "report day" means the day which has been designated for the individual to report to file his claim for benefits with respect to any week. This paragraph shall not be construed so as to effect any change in the status of part-time workers as defined in Section 407.

2. An individual shall be considered to be unavailable for work on days listed as whole holidays in "An Act to revise the law in relation to promissory notes, bonds, due bills and other instruments in writing," approved March 18, 1874, as amended; on days which are holidays in his religion or faith, and on days which are holidays according to the custom of his trade or occupation, if his failure to work on such day is a result of the holiday. In determining the claimant's eligibility for benefits and the amount to be paid him, with respect to the week in which such holiday occurs, he shall have attributed to him as additional earnings for that week an amount equal to one-fifth of his weekly benefit amount for each normal work day on which he does not work because of a holiday of the type above enumerated.

3. An individual shall be deemed unavailable for work if, after his separation from his most recent employing unit, he has removed himself to and remains in a locality where opportunities for work are substantially less favorable than those in the locality he has left.

4. An individual shall be deemed unavailable for work with respect to any week which occurs in a period when his principal occupation is that of a student in attendance at, or on vacation from, a public or private school.

5. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Act, an individual shall not be deemed unavailable for work or to have failed actively to seek work, nor shall he be ineligible for benefits by reason of the application of the provisions of Section 603, with respect to any week, because he is enrolled in and is in regular attendance at a training course approved for him by the Director:

(a) but only if, with respect to that week, the individual presents, upon request, to the claims adjudicator referred to in Section 702 a statement executed by a responsible person connected with the training course, certifying that the individual was in full-time attendance at such course during the week. The Director may approve such course for an individual only if he finds that (1) reasonable work opportunities for which the individual is fitted by training and experience do not exist in his locality; (2) the training course relates to an occupation or skill for which there are, or are expected to be in the immediate future, reasonable work opportunities in his locality; (3) the training course is offered by a competent and reliable agency, educational institution, or employing unit; (4) the individual has the required qualifications and aptitudes to complete the course successfully; and (5) the individual is not receiving and is not eligible (other than because he has claimed benefits under this Act) for subsistence payments or similar assistance under any public or private retraining program: Provided, that the Director shall not disapprove such course solely by reason of clause (5) if the subsistence payment or similar assistance is subject to reduction by an amount equal to any benefits payable to the individual under this Act in the absence of the clause. In the event that an individual's weekly unemployment compensation benefit is less than his certified training allowance, that person shall be eligible to receive his entire unemployment compensation benefits, plus such supplemental training allowances that would make an applicant's total weekly benefit identical to the original certified training allowance.

(b) The Director shall have the authority to grant approval pursuant to subparagraph (a) above prior to an individual's formal admission into a training course. Requests for approval shall not be made more than 30 days prior to the actual starting date of such course. Requests shall be made at the appropriate unemployment office.

(c) The Director shall for purposes of paragraph C have the authority to issue a blanket approval of training programs implemented pursuant to the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Workforce Investment Act of 1998 if both the training program and the criteria for an individual's participation in such training meet the requirements of this paragraph C.

(d) Notwithstanding the requirements of subparagraph (a), the Director shall have the authority to issue blanket approval of training programs implemented under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement.

6. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Act, an individual shall not be deemed unavailable for work or to have failed actively to seek work, nor shall he be ineligible for benefits, by reason of the application of the provisions of Section 603 with respect to any week because he is in training approved under Section 236 (a)(1) of the federal Trade Act of 1974, nor shall an individual be ineligible for benefits under the provisions of Section 601 by reason of leaving work voluntarily to enter such training if the work left is not of a substantially equal or higher skill level than the individual's past adversely affected employment as defined under the federal Trade Act of 1974 and the wages for such work are less than 80% of his average weekly wage as determined under the federal Trade Act of 1974.

D. If his benefit year begins prior to July 6, 1975 or subsequent to January 2, 1982, he has been unemployed for a waiting period of 1 week during such benefit year. If his benefit year begins on or after July 6, l975, but prior to January 3, 1982, and his unemployment continues for more than three weeks during such benefit year, he shall be eligible for benefits with respect to each week of such unemployment, including the first week thereof. An individual shall be deemed to be unemployed within the meaning of this subsection while receiving public assistance as remuneration for services performed on work projects financed from funds made available to governmental agencies for such purpose. No week shall be counted as a week of unemployment for the purposes of this subsection:

1. Unless it occurs within the benefit year which includes the week with respect to which he claims payment of benefits, provided that, for benefit years beginning prior to January 3, 1982, this requirement shall not interrupt the payment of benefits for consecutive weeks of unemployment; and provided further that the week immediately preceding a benefit year, if part of one uninterrupted period of unemployment which continues into such benefit year, shall be deemed (for the purpose of this subsection only and with respect to benefit years beginning prior to January 3, 1982, only) to be within such benefit year, as well as within the preceding benefit year, if the unemployed individual would, except for the provisions of the first paragraph and paragraph 1 of this subsection and of Section 605, be eligible for and entitled to benefits for such week.

2. If benefits have been paid with respect thereto.

3. Unless the individual was eligible for benefits with respect thereto except for the requirements of this subsection and of Section 605.

E. With respect to any benefit year beginning prior to January 3, 1982, he has been paid during his base period wages for insured work not less than the amount specified in Section 500E of this Act as amended and in effect on October 5, 1980. With respect to any benefit year beginning on or after January 3, 1982, he has been paid during his base period wages for insured work equal to not less than $1,600, provided that he has been paid wages for insured work equal to at least $440 during that part of his base period which does not include the calendar quarter in which the wages paid to him were highest.

F. During that week he has participated in reemployment services to which he has been referred, including but not limited to job search assistance services, pursuant to a profiling system established by the Director by rule in conformity with Section 303(j)(1) of the federal Social Security Act, unless the Director determines that:

1. the individual has completed such services; or

2. there is justifiable cause for the claimant's failure to participate in such services.

This subsection F is added by this amendatory Act of 1995 to clarify authority already provided under subsections A and C in connection with the unemployment insurance claimant profiling system required under subsections (a)(10) and (j)(1) of Section 303 of the federal Social Security Act as a condition of federal funding for the administration of the Unemployment Insurance Act.

(Source: P.A. 92-396, eff. 1-1-02.)

(820 ILCS 405/502)

Sec. 502. Eligibility for benefits under the Short-Time Compensation Program.

A. The Director may by rule establish a short-time compensation program consistent with this Section. No short-time compensation shall be payable except as authorized by rule.

B. As used in this Section:

"Affected unit" means a specified plant, department, shift, or other definable unit that includes 2 or more workers to which an approved short-time compensation plan applies.

"Health and retirement benefits" means employer-provided health benefits and retirement benefits under a defined benefit pension plan (as defined in Section 414(j) of the Internal Revenue Code) or contributions under a defined contribution plan (defined in Section 414(i) of the Internal Revenue Code), which are incidents of employment in addition to the cash remuneration earned.

"Short-time compensation" means the unemployment benefits payable to employees in an affected unit under an approved short-time compensation plan, as distinguished from the unemployment benefits otherwise payable under this Act.

"Short-time compensation plan" means a plan submitted by an employer, for approval by the Director, under which the employer requests the payment of short-time compensation to workers in an affected unit of the employer to avert layoffs.

"Usual weekly hours of work" means the usual hours of work for full-time or part-time employees in the affected unit when that unit is operating on its regular basis, not to exceed 40 hours and not including hours of overtime work.

"Unemployment insurance" means the unemployment benefits payable under this Act other than short-time compensation and includes any amounts payable pursuant to an agreement under any Federal law providing for compensation, assistance, or allowances with respect to unemployment.

C. An employer wishing to participate in the short-time compensation program shall submit a signed written short-time compensation plan to the Director for approval. The Director shall develop an application form to request approval of a short-time compensation plan and an approval process. The application shall include:

1. The employer's unemployment insurance account number, the affected unit covered by the plan, including the number of full-time or part-time workers in such unit, the percentage of workers in the affected unit covered by the plan, identification of each individual employee in the affected unit by name and social security number, and any other information required by the Director to identify plan participants.

2. A description of how workers in the affected unit will be notified of the employer's participation in the short-time compensation plan if such application is approved, including how the employer will notify those workers in a collective bargaining unit as well as any workers in the affected unit who are not in a collective bargaining unit. If the employer will not provide advance notice to workers in the affected unit, the employer shall explain in a statement in the application why it is not feasible to provide such notice.

3. The employer's certification that it has the approval of the plan from all collective bargaining representatives of employees in the affected unit and has notified all employees in the affected unit who are not in a collective bargaining unit of the plan.

4. The employer's certification that it will not hire additional part-time or full-time employees for, or transfer employees to, the affected unit, while the program is in operation.

5. A requirement that the employer identify the usual weekly hours of work for employees in the affected unit and the specific percentage by which their hours will be reduced during all weeks covered by the plan. An application shall specify the percentage of reduction for which a short-time compensation application may be approved which shall be not less than 20% and not more than 60%. If the plan includes any week for which the employer regularly provides no work (due to a holiday or other plant closing), then such week shall be identified in the application.

6. Certification by the employer that, if the employer provides health and retirement benefits to any employee whose usual weekly hours of work are reduced under the program, such benefits will continue to be provided to the employee participating in the short-time compensation program under the same terms and conditions as though the usual weekly hours of work of such employee had not been reduced or to the same extent as other employees not participating in the short-time compensation program. For defined benefit retirement plans, the hours that are reduced under the short-time compensation plan shall be credited for purposes of participation, vesting, and accrual of benefits as though the usual weekly hours of work had not been reduced. The dollar amount of employer contributions to a defined contribution plan that are based on a percentage of compensation may be less due to the reduction in the employee's compensation. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, a certification that a reduction in health and retirement benefits is scheduled to occur during the duration of the plan and will be applicable equally to employees who are not participating in the short-time compensation program and to those employees who are participating satisfies this paragraph.

7. Certification by the employer that the aggregate reduction in work hours is in lieu of layoffs (temporary or permanent layoffs, or both). The application shall include an estimate of the number of workers who would have been laid off in the absence of the short-time compensation plan.

8. Agreement by the employer to: furnish reports to the Director relating to the proper conduct of the plan; allow the Director or his or her authorized representatives access to all records necessary to approve or disapprove the plan application, and after approval of a plan, to monitor and evaluate the plan; and follow any other directives the Director deems necessary for the agency to implement the plan and which are consistent with the requirements for plan applications.

9. Certification by the employer that participation in the short-time compensation plan and its implementation is consistent with the employer's obligations under applicable Federal and Illinois laws.

10. The effective date and duration of the plan, which shall expire no later than the end of the 12th full calendar month after the effective date.

11. Any other provision added to the application by the Director that the United States Secretary of Labor determines to be appropriate for purposes of a short-time compensation program.

D. The Director shall approve or disapprove a short-time compensation plan in writing within 45 days of its receipt and promptly communicate the decision to the employer. A decision disapproving the plan shall clearly identify the reasons for the disapproval. The disapproval shall be final, but the employer shall be allowed to submit another short-time compensation plan for approval not earlier than 30 days from the date of the disapproval.

E. The short-time compensation plan shall be effective on the mutually agreed upon date by the employer and the Director, which shall be specified in the notice of approval to the employer. The plan shall expire on the date specified in the notice of approval, which shall be mutually agreed on by the employer and Director but no later than the end of the 12th full calendar month after its effective date. However, if a short-time compensation plan is revoked by the Director, the plan shall terminate on the date specified in the Director's written order of revocation. An employer may terminate a short-time compensation plan at any time upon written notice to the Director. Upon receipt of such notice from the employer, the Director shall promptly notify each member of the affected unit of the termination date. An employer may submit a new application to participate in another short-time compensation plan at any time after the expiration or termination date.

F. The Director may revoke approval of a short-time compensation plan for good cause at any time, including upon the request of any of the affected unit's employees or their collective bargaining representative. The revocation order shall be in writing and shall specify the reasons for the revocation and the date the revocation is effective. The Director may periodically review the operation of each employer's short-time compensation plan to assure that no good cause exists for revocation of the approval of the plan. Good cause shall include, but not be limited to, failure to comply with the assurances given in the plan, termination of the approval of the plan by a collective bargaining representative of employees in the affected unit, unreasonable revision of productivity standards for the affected unit, conduct or occurrences tending to defeat the intent and effective operation of the short-time compensation plan, and violation of any criteria on which approval of the plan was based.

G. An employer may request a modification of an approved plan by filing a written request to the Director. The request shall identify the specific provisions proposed to be modified and provide an explanation of why the proposed modification is appropriate for the short-time compensation plan. The Director shall approve or disapprove the proposed modification in writing within 30 days of receipt and promptly communicate the decision to the employer. The Director, in his or her discretion, may approve a request for modification of the plan based on conditions that have changed since the plan was approved provided that the modification is consistent with and supports the purposes for which the plan was initially approved. A modification may not extend the expiration date of the original plan, and the Director must promptly notify the employer whether the plan modification has been approved and, if approved, the effective date of modification. An employer is not required to request approval of plan modification from the Director if the change is not substantial, but the employer must report every change to plan to the Director promptly and in writing. The Director may terminate an employer's plan if the employer fails to meet this reporting requirement. If the Director determines that the reported change is substantial, the Director shall require the employer to request a modification to the plan.

H. An individual is eligible to receive short-time compensation with respect to any week only if the individual is eligible for unemployment insurance pursuant to subsection E of Section 500, not otherwise disqualified for unemployment insurance, and:

1. During the week, the individual is employed as a member of an affected unit under an approved short-time compensation plan, which was approved prior to that week, and the plan is in effect with respect to the week for which short-time compensation is claimed.

2. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act relating to availability for work and actively seeking work, the individual is available for the individual's usual hours of work with the short-time compensation employer, which may include, for purposes of this Section, participating in training to enhance job skills that is approved by the Director, including but not limited to as employer-sponsored training or training funded under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

3. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an individual covered by a short-time compensation plan is deemed unemployed in any week during the duration of such plan if the individual's remuneration as an employee in an affected unit is reduced based on a reduction of the individual's usual weekly hours of work under an approved short-time compensation plan.

I. The short-time compensation weekly benefit amount shall be the product of the percentage of reduction in the individual's usual weekly hours of work multiplied by the sum of the regular weekly benefit amount for a week of total unemployment plus any applicable dependent allowance pursuant to subsection C of Section 401.

1. An individual may be eligible for short-time compensation or unemployment insurance, as appropriate, except that no individual shall be eligible for combined benefits (excluding any payments attributable to a dependent allowance pursuant to subsection C of Section 401) in any benefit year in an amount more than the maximum benefit amount, nor shall an individual be paid short-time compensation benefits for more than 52 weeks under a short-time compensation plan.

2. The short-time compensation paid to an individual (excluding any payments attributable to a dependent allowance pursuant to subsection C of Section 401) shall be deducted from the maximum benefit amount established for that individual's benefit year.

3. Provisions applicable to unemployment insurance claimants shall apply to short-time compensation claimants to the extent that they are not inconsistent with short-time compensation provisions. An individual who files an initial claim for short-time compensation benefits shall receive a monetary determination.

4. The following provisions apply to individuals who work for both a short-time compensation employer and another employer during weeks covered by the approved short-time compensation plan:

i. If combined hours of work in a week for both employers do not result in a reduction of at least 20% of the usual weekly hours of work with the short-time compensation employer, the individual shall not be entitled to benefits under this Section.

ii. If combined hours of work for both employers results in a reduction equal to or greater than 20% of the usual weekly hours of work for the short-time compensation employer, the short-time compensation benefit amount payable to the individual is reduced for that week and is determined by multiplying the percentage by which the combined hours of work have been reduced by the sum of the weekly benefit amount for a week of total unemployment plus any applicable dependent allowance pursuant to subsection C of Section 401. A week for which benefits are paid under this subparagraph shall be reported as a week of short-time compensation.

iii. If an individual worked the reduced percentage of the usual weekly hours of work for the short-time compensation employer and is available for all his or her usual hours of work with the short-time compensation employer, and the individual did not work any hours for the other employer either because of the lack of work with that employer or because the individual is excused from work with the other employer, the individual shall be eligible for short-time compensation for that week. The benefit amount for such week shall be calculated as provided in the introductory clause of this subsection I.

iv. An individual who is not provided any work during a week by the short-time compensation employer, or any other employer, and who is otherwise eligible for unemployment insurance shall be eligible for the amount of regular unemployment insurance determined without regard to this Section.

v. An individual who is not provided any work by the short-time compensation employer during a week, but who works for another employer and is otherwise eligible may be paid unemployment insurance for that week subject to the disqualifying income and other provisions applicable to claims for regular unemployment insurance.

J. Short-time compensation shall be charged to employers in the same manner as unemployment insurance is charged under Illinois law. Employers liable for payments in lieu of contributions shall have short-time compensation attributed to service in their employ in the same manner as unemployment insurance is attributed. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, to the extent that short-term compensation payments under this Section are reimbursed by the federal government, no benefit charges or payments in lieu of contributions shall be accrued by a participating employer.

K. A short-time compensation plan shall not be approved for an employer that is delinquent in the filing of any reports required or the payment of contributions, payments in lieu of contributions, interest, or penalties due under this Act through the date of the employer's application.

L. Overpayments of other benefits under this Act may be recovered from an individual receiving short-time compensation under this Act in the manner provided under Sections 900 and 901. Overpayments under the short-time compensation plan may be recovered from an individual receiving other benefits under this Act in the manner provided under Sections 900 and 901.

M. An individual who has received all of the short-time compensation or combined unemployment insurance and short-time compensation available in a benefit year shall be considered an exhaustee for purposes of extended benefits, as provided under the provisions of Section 409, and, if otherwise eligible under those provisions, shall be eligible to receive extended benefits.

(Source: P.A. 98-1133, eff. 12-23-14.)

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