HB4767 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 24382 RJF 33616 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB4767

Introduced 1/27/2022, by Rep. Carol Ammons

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 605/605-1095 new

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall establish the Returning Citizen Grant Program. Provides that the Department shall provide grants to small businesses, with 50 or fewer employees, to train and hire qualifying returning citizens. Provides grant eligibility requirements. Provides that eligible small businesses shall be awarded grants in the amount of $5,000 per new qualifying returning citizen hired. Provides that eligible small businesses shall not be limited to one grant. Provides that the issuance of grants shall be on a first come, first served basis. Provides for the adoption of rules. Defines "qualifying returning citizen". Repeals provisions on January 1, 2025.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

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

Section 5. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding Section 605-1095 as follows:

(20 ILCS 605/605-1095 new)

Sec. 605-1095. Returning Citizen Grants.

(a) The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall establish the Returning Citizen Grant Program.

(b) Subject to appropriation, from funds made available to the Department from the State Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency Fund, the Department shall provide grants to small businesses, with 50 or fewer employees, to train and hire qualifying returning citizens.

(c) To be eligible for grants issued under this Section, a small business must: (i) employ the qualifying returning citizen for a minimum of one year; and (ii) pay the qualifying returning citizen at least the minimum wage at a minimum of 30 hours of work each week.

(d) An eligible small business shall be awarded grants in the amount of $5,000 per new qualifying returning citizen hired. Eligible small businesses shall not be limited to one grant.

(e) The Department shall administer the issuance of grants under the Program on a first come, first served basis.

(f) The Department shall adopt rules necessary for the implementation of this Section.

(g) For purposes of this Section, "qualifying returning citizen" means a person who is an Illinois resident that has been incarcerated within 5 years prior to the date a grant is awarded.

(h) The Section is repealed on January 1, 2025.