HR0796 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0796 LRB102 27097 MST 38508 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, A trade school, also known as a technical school or vocational school, is a postsecondary educational institution designed to train students for a specific job in a skilled trade career; a trade school offers high quality industry-focused training to prepare students for actual work in their chosen field; trade school programs are entirely concentrated on relevant job training and developing students' technical abilities in skilled and mechanical trades; and

WHEREAS, For someone looking to enter the skilled mechanical trades, a technical school offers the practical training needed for a specific career; this means that every lesson and assignment prepares students to meet the basic qualifications for an entry-level job; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 412,000 students are enrolled currently in trade and career schools across the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Programs that focus on trade support local communities, foster innovation, and drive economic growth by matching employability skills with workforce demand; and

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Task Force on Illinois Trade Schools is created and charged with studying the following:

(1) The benefits of expanding trade schools throughout Illinois;

(2) High school districts in Illinois and their level of trade curriculum/courses; and

(3) The level of interest among students in Illinois high schools on attending a trade school or beginning work and not attending a four-year college or university; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force will be comprised of the following members, who shall serve without compensation:

(1) 4 members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, one who shall serve as co-chair;

(2) 4 members of the House of Representatives appointed by the House Minority Leader, one who shall serve as co-chair;

(3) The Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) or his or her designee;

(4) The State Superintendent of Education (ISBE) or his or her designee;

(5) The Executive Director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) or his or her designee;

(6) 2 members of the Illinois Association for Career and Technical Education, one each appointed by the Speaker of the House and the House Minority Leader;

(7) 4 members from associations that represent industry trades, two each appointed by the Speaker of the House and the House Minority Leader;

(8) 2 high school students who are planning on attending trade schools after graduation, one each appointed by the Speaker of the House and the House Minority Leader; and

(9) 2 students who are currently enrolled in a trade school, one each appointed by the Speaker of the House and the House Minority Leader; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Board of Higher Education shall provide administrative support for the Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall hold its meetings at the call of the co-chairs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall submit its final report to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2022 and upon the filing of the report, is dissolved.