(20 ILCS 730/5-5) (Section scheduled to be repealed on September 15, 2045)
Sec. 5-5. Definitions. As used in this Act: "Apprentice" means a participant in an apprenticeship program approved by and registered with the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. "Apprenticeship program" means an apprenticeship and training program approved by and registered with the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. "Black, indigenous, and people of color" or "BIPOC" means people who are members of the groups described in subparagraphs (a) through (e) of paragraph (A) of subsection (1) of Section 2 of the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act. "Community-based organizations" means an organization that: (1) provides employment, skill development, or related services to members of the community; (2) includes community colleges, nonprofits, and local governments; (3) has at least one main operating office in the community or region it serves; and (4) demonstrates relationships with local residents and other organizations serving the community. "Department" means the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, unless the text solely specifies a particular Department. "Director" means the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. "Equity eligible contractor" or "eligible contractor" means: (1) a business that is majority-owned by equity |
| investment eligible individuals or persons who are or have been participants in the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program, Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program, Returning Residents Clean Jobs Training Program, Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program, or Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program;
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(2) a nonprofit or cooperative that is
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| majority-governed by equity investment eligible individuals or persons who are or have been participants in the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program, Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program, Returning Residents Clean Jobs Training Program, Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program, or Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program; or
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(3) an equity investment eligible person or an
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| individual who is or has been a participant in the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program, Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program, Returning Residents Clean Jobs Training Program, Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program, or Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program and who is offering personal services as an independent contractor.
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"Equity focused populations" means (i) low-income persons; (ii) persons residing in equity investment eligible communities; (iii) persons who identify as black, indigenous, and people of color; (iv) formerly convicted persons; (v) persons who are or were in the child welfare system; (vi) energy workers; (vii) dependents of displaced energy workers; (viii) women; (ix) LGBTQ+, transgender, or gender nonconforming persons; (x) persons with disabilities; and (xi) members of any of these groups who are also youth.
"Equity investment eligible community" and "eligible community" are synonymous and mean the geographic areas throughout Illinois which would most benefit from equitable investments by the State designed to combat discrimination and foster sustainable economic growth. Specifically, the eligible community means the following areas:
(1) R3 Areas as established pursuant to Section 10-40
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| of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, where residents have historically been excluded from economic opportunities, including opportunities in the energy sector; and
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(2) Environmental justice communities, as defined by
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| the Illinois Power Agency pursuant to the Illinois Power Agency Act, but excluding racial and ethnic indicators, where residents have historically been subject to disproportionate burdens of pollution, including pollution from the energy sector.
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"Equity investment eligible person" and "eligible person" are synonymous and mean the persons who would most benefit from equitable investments by the State designed to combat discrimination and foster sustainable economic growth. Specifically, eligible persons means the following people:
(1) persons whose primary residence is in an equity
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| investment eligible community;
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(2) persons who are graduates of or currently
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| enrolled in the foster care system; or
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(3) persons who were formerly incarcerated.
"Climate Works Hub" means a nonprofit organization selected by the Department to act as a workforce intermediary and to participate in the Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program. To qualify as a Climate Works Hub, the organization must demonstrate the following:
(1) the ability to effectively serve diverse and
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| underrepresented populations, including by providing employment services to such populations;
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(2) experience with the construction and building
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(3) the ability to recruit, prescreen, and provide
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| preapprenticeship training to prepare workers for employment in the construction and building trades; and
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(4) a plan to provide the following:
(A) preparatory classes;
(B) workplace readiness skills, such as resume
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| preparation and interviewing techniques;
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(C) strategies for overcoming barriers to entry
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| and completion of an apprenticeship program; and
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(D) any prerequisites for acceptance into an
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(Source: P.A. 102-662, eff. 9-15-21.)
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(20 ILCS 730/5-20) (Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 103-595) (Section scheduled to be repealed on September 15, 2045)
Sec. 5-20. Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program. (a) As used in this Section, "Program" means the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program. (b) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall develop and, through Regional Administrators, administer the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program to create a network of 13 Program delivery Hub Sites with program elements delivered by community-based organizations and their subcontractors geographically distributed across the State including at least one Hub Site located in or near each of the following areas: Chicago (South Side), Chicago (Southwest and West Sides), Waukegan, Rockford, Aurora, Joliet, Peoria, Champaign, Danville, Decatur, Carbondale, East St. Louis, and Alton. (c) In admitting program participants, for each workforce Hub Site, the Regional Administrators shall: (1) in each Hub Site where the applicant pool allows: (A) dedicate at least one-third of program |
| placements to applicants who reside in a geographic area that is impacted by economic and environmental challenges, defined as an area that is both (i) an R3 Area, as defined pursuant to Section 10-40 of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, and (ii) an environmental justice community, as defined by the Illinois Power Agency, excluding any racial or ethnic indicators used by the agency unless and until the constitutional basis for their inclusion in determining program admissions is established. Among applicants that satisfy these criteria, preference shall be given to applicants who face barriers to employment, such as low educational attainment, prior involvement with the criminal legal system, and language barriers; and applicants that are graduates of or currently enrolled in the foster care system; and
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(B) dedicate at least two-thirds of program
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| placements to applicants that satisfy the criteria in paragraph (1) or who reside in a geographic area that is impacted by economic or environmental challenges, defined as an area that is either (i) an R3 Area, as defined pursuant to Section 10-40 of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, or (ii) an environmental justice community, as defined by the Illinois Power Agency, excluding any racial or ethnic indicators used by the agency unless and until the constitutional basis for their inclusion in determining program admissions is established. Among applicants that satisfy these criteria, preference shall be given to applicants who face barriers to employment, such as low educational attainment, prior involvement with the criminal legal system, and language barriers; and applicants that are graduates of or currently enrolled in the foster care system; and
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(2) prioritize the remaining program placements for:
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| applicants who are displaced energy workers as defined in the Energy Community Reinvestment Act; persons who face barriers to employment, including low educational attainment, prior involvement with the criminal legal system, and language barriers; and applicants who are graduates of or currently enrolled in the foster care system, regardless of the applicant's area of residence.
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The Department and Regional Administrators shall protect the confidentiality of any personal information provided by program applicants regarding the applicant's status as a formerly incarcerated person or foster care recipient; however, the Department or Regional Administrators may publish aggregated data on the number of participants that were formerly incarcerated or foster care recipients so long as that publication protects the identities of those persons.
Any person who applies to the program may elect not to share with the Department or Regional Administrators whether he or she is a graduate or currently enrolled in the foster care system or was formerly convicted.
(d) Program elements for each Hub Site shall be provided by a community-based organization. The Department shall initially select a community-based organization in each Hub Site and shall subsequently select a community-based organization in each Hub Site every 3 years. Community-based organizations delivering program elements outlined in subsection (e) may provide all elements required or may subcontract to other entities for provision of portions of program elements, including, but not limited to, administrative soft and hard skills for program participants, delivery of specific training in the core curriculum, or provision of other support functions for program delivery compliance.
(e) The Clean Jobs Workforce Hubs Network shall:
(1) coordinate with Energy Transition Navigators: (i)
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| to increase participation in the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program and clean energy and related sector workforce and training opportunities; (ii) coordinate recruitment, communications, and ongoing engagement with potential employers, including, but not limited to, activities such as job matchmaking initiatives, hosting events such as job fairs, and collaborating with other Hub Sites to identify and implement best practices for employer engagement; and (iii) leverage community-based organizations, educational institutions, and community-based and labor-based training providers to ensure program-eligible individuals across the State have dedicated and sustained support to enter and complete the career pipeline for clean energy and related sector jobs;
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(2) develop formal partnerships, including formal
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| sector partnerships between community-based organizations and entities that provide clean energy jobs, including businesses, nonprofit organizations, and worker-owned cooperatives, to ensure that Program participants have priority access to employment training and hiring opportunities; and
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(3) implement the Clean Jobs Curriculum to provide,
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| including, but not limited to, training, certification preparation, job readiness, and skill development, including soft skills, math skills, technical skills, certification test preparation, and other development needed, to Program participants.
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(f) Funding for the Program is subject to appropriation from the Energy Transition Assistance Fund.
(g) The Department shall require submission of quarterly reports, including program performance metrics by each Hub Site to the Regional Administrator of their Program Delivery Area. Program performance metrics include, but are not limited to:
(1) demographic data, including racial, gender,
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| residency in eligible communities, and geographic distribution data, on Program trainees entering and graduating the Program;
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(2) demographic data, including racial, gender,
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| residency in eligible communities, and geographic distribution data, on Program trainees who are placed in employment, including the percentages of trainees by race, gender, and geographic categories in each individual job type or category and whether employment is union, nonunion, or nonunion via temporary agency;
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(3) trainee job acquisition and retention statistics,
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| including the duration of employment (start and end dates of hires) by race, gender, and geography;
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(4) hourly wages, including hourly overtime pay rate,
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| and benefits of trainees placed into employment by race, gender, and geography;
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(5) percentage of jobs by race, gender, and geography
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| held by Program trainees or graduates that are full-time equivalent positions, meaning that the position held is full-time, direct, and permanent based on 2,080 hours worked per year (paid directly by the employer, whose activities, schedule, and manner of work the employer controls, and receives pay and benefits in the same manner as permanent employees); and
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(6) qualitative data consisting of open-ended
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| reporting on pertinent issues, including, but not limited to, qualitative descriptions accompanying metrics or identifying key successes and challenges.
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(h) Within 3 years after the effective date of this Act, the Department shall select an independent evaluator to review and prepare a report on the performance of the Program and Regional Administrators.
(Source: P.A. 102-662, eff. 9-15-21.)
(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 103-595)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on September 15, 2045)
Sec. 5-20. Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program.
(a) As used in this Section, "Program" means the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program.
(b) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall develop and, through Regional Administrators, administer the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program to create a network of 14 Program delivery Hub Sites with program elements delivered by community-based organizations and their subcontractors geographically distributed across the State including at least one Hub Site located in or near each of the following areas: Chicago (South Side), Chicago (Southwest and West Sides), Waukegan, Rockford, Aurora, Joliet, Peoria, Champaign, Danville, Decatur, Carbondale, East St. Louis, Kankakee, and Alton.
(c) In admitting program participants, for each workforce Hub Site, the Regional Administrators shall:
(1) in each Hub Site where the applicant pool allows:
(A) dedicate at least one-third of program
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| placements to applicants who reside in a geographic area that is impacted by economic and environmental challenges, defined as an area that is both (i) an R3 Area, as defined pursuant to Section 10-40 of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, and (ii) an environmental justice community, as defined by the Illinois Power Agency, excluding any racial or ethnic indicators used by the agency unless and until the constitutional basis for their inclusion in determining program admissions is established. Among applicants that satisfy these criteria, preference shall be given to applicants who face barriers to employment, such as low educational attainment, prior involvement with the criminal legal system, and language barriers; and applicants that are graduates of or currently enrolled in the foster care system; and
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|
(B) dedicate at least two-thirds of program
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| placements to applicants that satisfy the criteria in paragraph (1) or who reside in a geographic area that is impacted by economic or environmental challenges, defined as an area that is either (i) an R3 Area, as defined pursuant to Section 10-40 of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, or (ii) an environmental justice community, as defined by the Illinois Power Agency, excluding any racial or ethnic indicators used by the agency unless and until the constitutional basis for their inclusion in determining program admissions is established. Among applicants that satisfy these criteria, preference shall be given to applicants who face barriers to employment, such as low educational attainment, prior involvement with the criminal legal system, and language barriers; and applicants that are graduates of or currently enrolled in the foster care system; and
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|
(2) prioritize the remaining program placements for:
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| applicants who are displaced energy workers as defined in the Energy Community Reinvestment Act; persons who face barriers to employment, including low educational attainment, prior involvement with the criminal legal system, and language barriers; and applicants who are graduates of or currently enrolled in the foster care system, regardless of the applicant's area of residence.
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The Department and Regional Administrators shall protect the confidentiality of any personal information provided by program applicants regarding the applicant's status as a formerly incarcerated person or foster care recipient; however, the Department or Regional Administrators may publish aggregated data on the number of participants that were formerly incarcerated or foster care recipients so long as that publication protects the identities of those persons.
Any person who applies to the program may elect not to share with the Department or Regional Administrators whether he or she is a graduate or currently enrolled in the foster care system or was formerly convicted.
(d) Program elements for each Hub Site shall be provided by a community-based organization. The Department shall initially select a community-based organization in each Hub Site and shall subsequently select a community-based organization in each Hub Site every 3 years. Community-based organizations delivering program elements outlined in subsection (e) may provide all elements required or may subcontract to other entities for provision of portions of program elements, including, but not limited to, administrative soft and hard skills for program participants, delivery of specific training in the core curriculum, or provision of other support functions for program delivery compliance.
(e) The Clean Jobs Workforce Hubs Network shall:
(1) coordinate with Energy Transition Navigators: (i)
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| to increase participation in the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program and clean energy and related sector workforce and training opportunities; (ii) coordinate recruitment, communications, and ongoing engagement with potential employers, including, but not limited to, activities such as job matchmaking initiatives, hosting events such as job fairs, and collaborating with other Hub Sites to identify and implement best practices for employer engagement; and (iii) leverage community-based organizations, educational institutions, and community-based and labor-based training providers to ensure program-eligible individuals across the State have dedicated and sustained support to enter and complete the career pipeline for clean energy and related sector jobs;
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|
(2) develop formal partnerships, including formal
|
| sector partnerships between community-based organizations and entities that provide clean energy jobs, including businesses, nonprofit organizations, and worker-owned cooperatives, to ensure that Program participants have priority access to employment training and hiring opportunities; and
|
|
(3) implement the Clean Jobs Curriculum to provide,
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| including, but not limited to, training, certification preparation, job readiness, and skill development, including soft skills, math skills, technical skills, certification test preparation, and other development needed, to Program participants.
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|
(f) Funding for the Program is subject to appropriation from the Energy Transition Assistance Fund.
(g) The Department shall require submission of quarterly reports, including program performance metrics by each Hub Site to the Regional Administrator of their Program Delivery Area. Program performance metrics include, but are not limited to:
(1) demographic data, including racial, gender,
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| residency in eligible communities, and geographic distribution data, on Program trainees entering and graduating the Program;
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|
(2) demographic data, including racial, gender,
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| residency in eligible communities, and geographic distribution data, on Program trainees who are placed in employment, including the percentages of trainees by race, gender, and geographic categories in each individual job type or category and whether employment is union, nonunion, or nonunion via temporary agency;
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|
(3) trainee job acquisition and retention statistics,
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| including the duration of employment (start and end dates of hires) by race, gender, and geography;
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|
(4) hourly wages, including hourly overtime pay rate,
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| and benefits of trainees placed into employment by race, gender, and geography;
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|
(5) percentage of jobs by race, gender, and geography
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| held by Program trainees or graduates that are full-time equivalent positions, meaning that the position held is full-time, direct, and permanent based on 2,080 hours worked per year (paid directly by the employer, whose activities, schedule, and manner of work the employer controls, and receives pay and benefits in the same manner as permanent employees); and
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|
(6) qualitative data consisting of open-ended
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| reporting on pertinent issues, including, but not limited to, qualitative descriptions accompanying metrics or identifying key successes and challenges.
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(h) Within 3 years after the effective date of this Act, the Department shall select an independent evaluator to review and prepare a report on the performance of the Program and Regional Administrators.
(Source: P.A. 102-662, eff. 9-15-21; 103-595, eff. 7-1-25.)
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(20 ILCS 730/5-45) (Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 103-595) (Section scheduled to be repealed on September 15, 2045)
Sec. 5-45. Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program.
(a) As used in this Section, "community-based organization" means a nonprofit organization, including an accredited public college or university that: (1) has a history of providing business-related |
| assistance and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start, run, and grow their businesses;
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|
(2) has knowledge of construction and clean energy
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|
(3) demonstrates relationships with local residents
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| and other organizations serving the community; and
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(4) demonstrates the ability to effectively serve
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| diverse and underrepresented populations.
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|
(b) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall develop, and through the Regional Administrators, administer the Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program ("Program") to create a network of 13 Program delivery Hub Sites with program elements delivered by community-based organizations and their subcontractors geographically distributed across the State, including at least one Hub Site located in or near each of the following areas: Chicago (South Side), Chicago (Southwest and West Sides), Waukegan, Rockford, Aurora, Joliet, Peoria, Champaign, Danville, Decatur, Carbondale, East St. Louis, and Alton.
(c) In admitting program participants, for each Contractor Incubator Hub Site the Regional Administrators shall:
(1) in each Hub Site where the applicant pool
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(A) dedicate at least one-third of program
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| placements to the owners of clean energy contractor businesses and nonprofits who reside in a geographic area that is impacted by economic and environmental challenges, defined as an area that is both (i) an R3 Area, as defined pursuant to Section 10-40 of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, and (ii) an environmental justice community, as defined by the Illinois Power Agency, excluding any racial or ethnic indicators used by the agency unless and until the constitutional basis for their inclusion in determining program admissions is established. Among applicants that satisfy these criteria, preference shall be given to applicants who face barriers to employment, such as low educational attainment, prior involvement with the criminal legal system, and language barriers; and applicants that are graduates of or currently enrolled in the foster care system; and
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|
(B) dedicate at least two-thirds of program
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| placements to the owners of clean energy contractor businesses and nonprofits that satisfy the criteria in paragraph (1) or who reside in eligible communities. Among applicants who live in eligible communities, preference shall be given to applicants who face barriers to employment, such as low educational attainment, prior involvement with the criminal legal system, and language barriers; and applicants that are graduates of or currently enrolled in the foster care system; and
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|
(2) prioritize the remaining program placements
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| for: applicants who are displaced energy workers as defined in the Energy Community Reinvestment Act; persons who face barriers to employment, including low educational attainment, prior involvement with the criminal legal system, and language barriers; and applicants who are graduates of or currently enrolled in the foster care system, regardless of the applicants' area of residence.
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Consideration shall also be given to any current or past participant in the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program, Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program, or Returning Residents Clean Energy Jobs Training Program.
The Department and Regional Administrators shall protect the confidentiality of any personal information provided by program applicants regarding the applicant's status as a formerly incarcerated person or foster care recipient; however, the Department or Regional Administrators may publish aggregated data on the number of participants that were formerly incarcerated or foster care recipients so long as that publication protects the identities of those persons.
Any person who applies to the program may elect not to share with the Department or Regional Administrators whether he or she is a graduate or currently enrolled in the foster care system or was formerly convicted.
(d) Program elements at each Hub Site shall be provided by a local community-based organization. The Department shall initially select a community-based organization in each Hub Site and shall subsequently select a community-based organization in each Hub Site every 3 years. Community-based organizations delivering program elements outlined in subsection (e) may provide all elements required or may subcontract to other entities for provision of portions of program elements, including, but not limited to, administrative soft and hard skills for program participants, delivery of specific training in the core curriculum, or provision of other support functions for program delivery compliance.
(e) The Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program shall:
(1) provide access to low-cost capital for small
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| clean energy businesses and contractors;
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|
(2) provide support for obtaining financial
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| assurance, including, but not limited to: bonding; back office services; insurance, permits, training and certifications; business planning; and low-interest loans;
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|
(3) train, mentor, and provide other support needed
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| to allow participant contractors to: (i) build their businesses and connect to specific projects, (ii) register as approved vendors, (iii) engage in approved vendor subcontracting and qualified installer opportunities, (iv) develop partnering and networking skills, (v) compete for capital and other resources, and (vi) execute clean energy-related project installations and subcontracts;
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|
(4) ensure that participant contractors, community
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| partners, and potential contractor clients are aware of and engaged in the Program;
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|
(5) connect participant contractors with the
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| Department of Labor for resources, training, and technical support on prevailing wage compliance;
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|
(6) provide recruitment and ongoing engagement with
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| entities that hire contractors and subcontractors, programs providing renewable energy resource-related projects, incentive programs, and approved vendor and qualified installer opportunities, including, but not limited to, activities such as matchmaking, events, and collaborating with other Hub Sites.
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|
(f) Funding for the Program and independent evaluations as described in subsection (h) are subject to appropriation from the Energy Transition Assistance Fund.
(g) The Department shall require submission of quarterly reports including program performance metrics by each Hub Site to the Regional Administrator of their Program Delivery Area. Program performance metrics include, but are not limited to:
(1) demographic data including: race, gender,
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| geographic location, R3 residency, Environmental Justice Community residency, foster care system participation, and justice-involvement for the owners of contractors applying, accepted into, and graduating from the Program;
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(2) the number of projects completed by participant
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| contractors, alone or in partnership, by race, gender, geographic location, R3 residency, Environmental Justice Community residency, foster care system participation, and justice-involvement for the owners of contractors;
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(3) the number of partnerships with participant
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| contractors that are expected to result in contracts for work by the participant contractor, by race, gender, geographic location, R3 residency, Environmental Justice Community residency, foster care system participation, and justice-involvement for the owners of contractors;
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(4) changes in participant contractors' business
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| revenue, by race, gender, geographic location, R3 residency, Environmental Justice Community residency, foster care system participation, and justice-involvement for the owners of contractors;
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(5) the number of new hires by participant
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| contractors, by race, gender, geographic location, R3 residency, Environmental Justice Community residency, foster care system participation, and justice-involvement;
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(6) demographic data, including race, gender,
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| geographic location, R3 residency, Environmental Justice Community residency, foster care system participation, and justice-involvement, and average wage data, for new hires by participant contractors;
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(7) certifications held by participant contractors,
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| and number of participants holding each certification, including, but not limited to, registration under the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act program and other programs intended to certify BIPOC entities;
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(8) the number of Program sessions attended by
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| participant contractors, aggregated by race; and
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(9) indicators relevant for assessing the general
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| financial health of participant contractors.
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(h) Within 3 years after the effective date of this Act, the Department shall select an independent evaluator to review and prepare a report on the performance of the Program and Regional Administrators. The report shall be posted publicly.
(Source: P.A. 102-662, eff. 9-15-21.)
(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 103-595)
(Section scheduled to be repealed on September 15, 2045)
Sec. 5-45. Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program.
(a) As used in this Section, "community-based organization" means a nonprofit organization, including an accredited public college or university that:
(1) has a history of providing business-related
|
| assistance and knowledge to help entrepreneurs start, run, and grow their businesses;
|
|
(2) has knowledge of construction and clean energy
|
|
(3) demonstrates relationships with local residents
|
| and other organizations serving the community; and
|
|
(4) demonstrates the ability to effectively serve
|
| diverse and underrepresented populations.
|
|
(b) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall develop, and through the Regional Administrators, administer the Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program ("Program") to create a network of 14 Program delivery Hub Sites with program elements delivered by community-based organizations and their subcontractors geographically distributed across the State, including at least one Hub Site located in or near each of the following areas: Chicago (South Side), Chicago (Southwest and West Sides), Waukegan, Rockford, Aurora, Joliet, Peoria, Champaign, Danville, Decatur, Carbondale, East St. Louis, Kankakee, and Alton.
(c) In admitting program participants, for each Contractor Incubator Hub Site the Regional Administrators shall:
(1) in each Hub Site where the applicant pool allows:
(A) dedicate at least one-third of program
|
| placements to the owners of clean energy contractor businesses and nonprofits who reside in a geographic area that is impacted by economic and environmental challenges, defined as an area that is both (i) an R3 Area, as defined pursuant to Section 10-40 of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, and (ii) an environmental justice community, as defined by the Illinois Power Agency, excluding any racial or ethnic indicators used by the agency unless and until the constitutional basis for their inclusion in determining program admissions is established. Among applicants that satisfy these criteria, preference shall be given to applicants who face barriers to employment, such as low educational attainment, prior involvement with the criminal legal system, and language barriers; and applicants that are graduates of or currently enrolled in the foster care system; and
|
|
(B) dedicate at least two-thirds of program
|
| placements to the owners of clean energy contractor businesses and nonprofits that satisfy the criteria in paragraph (1) or who reside in eligible communities. Among applicants who live in eligible communities, preference shall be given to applicants who face barriers to employment, such as low educational attainment, prior involvement with the criminal legal system, and language barriers; and applicants that are graduates of or currently enrolled in the foster care system; and
|
|
(2) prioritize the remaining program placements for:
|
| applicants who are displaced energy workers as defined in the Energy Community Reinvestment Act; persons who face barriers to employment, including low educational attainment, prior involvement with the criminal legal system, and language barriers; and applicants who are graduates of or currently enrolled in the foster care system, regardless of the applicants' area of residence.
|
|
Consideration shall also be given to any current or past participant in the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program, Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program, or Returning Residents Clean Energy Jobs Training Program.
The Department and Regional Administrators shall protect the confidentiality of any personal information provided by program applicants regarding the applicant's status as a formerly incarcerated person or foster care recipient; however, the Department or Regional Administrators may publish aggregated data on the number of participants that were formerly incarcerated or foster care recipients so long as that publication protects the identities of those persons.
Any person who applies to the program may elect not to share with the Department or Regional Administrators whether he or she is a graduate or currently enrolled in the foster care system or was formerly convicted.
(d) Program elements at each Hub Site shall be provided by a local community-based organization. The Department shall initially select a community-based organization in each Hub Site and shall subsequently select a community-based organization in each Hub Site every 3 years. Community-based organizations delivering program elements outlined in subsection (e) may provide all elements required or may subcontract to other entities for provision of portions of program elements, including, but not limited to, administrative soft and hard skills for program participants, delivery of specific training in the core curriculum, or provision of other support functions for program delivery compliance.
(e) The Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program shall:
(1) provide access to low-cost capital for small
|
| clean energy businesses and contractors;
|
|
(2) provide support for obtaining financial
|
| assurance, including, but not limited to: bonding; back office services; insurance, permits, training and certifications; business planning; and low-interest loans;
|
|
(3) train, mentor, and provide other support needed
|
| to allow participant contractors to: (i) build their businesses and connect to specific projects, (ii) register as approved vendors, (iii) engage in approved vendor subcontracting and qualified installer opportunities, (iv) develop partnering and networking skills, (v) compete for capital and other resources, and (vi) execute clean energy-related project installations and subcontracts;
|
|
(4) ensure that participant contractors, community
|
| partners, and potential contractor clients are aware of and engaged in the Program;
|
|
(5) connect participant contractors with the
|
| Department of Labor for resources, training, and technical support on prevailing wage compliance;
|
|
(6) provide recruitment and ongoing engagement with
|
| entities that hire contractors and subcontractors, programs providing renewable energy resource-related projects, incentive programs, and approved vendor and qualified installer opportunities, including, but not limited to, activities such as matchmaking, events, and collaborating with other Hub Sites.
|
|
(f) Funding for the Program and independent evaluations as described in subsection (h) are subject to appropriation from the Energy Transition Assistance Fund.
(g) The Department shall require submission of quarterly reports including program performance metrics by each Hub Site to the Regional Administrator of their Program Delivery Area. Program performance metrics include, but are not limited to:
(1) demographic data including: race, gender,
|
| geographic location, R3 residency, Environmental Justice Community residency, foster care system participation, and justice-involvement for the owners of contractors applying, accepted into, and graduating from the Program;
|
|
(2) the number of projects completed by participant
|
| contractors, alone or in partnership, by race, gender, geographic location, R3 residency, Environmental Justice Community residency, foster care system participation, and justice-involvement for the owners of contractors;
|
|
(3) the number of partnerships with participant
|
| contractors that are expected to result in contracts for work by the participant contractor, by race, gender, geographic location, R3 residency, Environmental Justice Community residency, foster care system participation, and justice-involvement for the owners of contractors;
|
|
(4) changes in participant contractors' business
|
| revenue, by race, gender, geographic location, R3 residency, Environmental Justice Community residency, foster care system participation, and justice-involvement for the owners of contractors;
|
|
(5) the number of new hires by participant
|
| contractors, by race, gender, geographic location, R3 residency, Environmental Justice Community residency, foster care system participation, and justice-involvement;
|
|
(6) demographic data, including race, gender,
|
| geographic location, R3 residency, Environmental Justice Community residency, foster care system participation, and justice-involvement, and average wage data, for new hires by participant contractors;
|
|
(7) certifications held by participant contractors,
|
| and number of participants holding each certification, including, but not limited to, registration under the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act program and other programs intended to certify BIPOC entities;
|
|
(8) the number of Program sessions attended by
|
| participant contractors, aggregated by race; and
|
|
(9) indicators relevant for assessing the general
|
| financial health of participant contractors.
|
|
(h) Within 3 years after the effective date of this Act, the Department shall select an independent evaluator to review and prepare a report on the performance of the Program and Regional Administrators. The report shall be posted publicly.
(Source: P.A. 102-662, eff. 9-15-21; 103-595, eff. 7-1-25.)
|
(20 ILCS 730/5-50) (Section scheduled to be repealed on September 15, 2045)
Sec. 5-50. Returning Residents Clean Jobs Training Program.
(a) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall develop and, in coordination with the Department of Corrections, administer the Returning Residents Clean Jobs Training Program.
(b) As used in this Section:
"Commitment" means a judicially determined placement in the custody of the Department of Corrections on the basis of a conviction.
"Committed person" means a person committed to the Department of Corrections.
"Community-based organization" means an organization that: (1) provides employment, skill development, or |
| related services to members of the community;
|
|
(2) includes community colleges, nonprofits, and
|
|
(3) has a history of serving committed persons or
|
| justice-involved persons.
|
|
"Correctional institution or facility" means a Department of Corrections building or part of a Department of Corrections building where committed persons are detained in a secure manner.
"Department" means the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
"Discharge" means the end of a sentence or the final termination of a detainee's physical commitment to and confinement in the Department of Corrections.
"Location" means where the returning resident is physically located, such as:
(1) a correctional institution or facility;
(2) a county;
(3) a municipality or town; and
(4) a place of employment.
"Program" means the Returning Residents Clean Jobs Training Program.
"Program Administrator" means, for each Program Delivery Area, the administrator selected by the Department pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (g) of this Section.
"Returning resident" means any United States resident who is: (i) 17 years of age or older; (ii) in the physical custody of the Department of Corrections; and (iii) scheduled to be re-entering society within 36 months.
(c) Returning Residents Clean Jobs Training Program.
(1) Connected services. The Program shall prepare
|
| graduates to work in the clean energy and related sector jobs as defined in Section 5-25.
|
|
(2) Recruitment of participants. The Program
|
| Administrators shall, in coordination with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, educate committed persons in both men's and women's correctional institutions and facilities on the benefits of the Program and how to enroll in the Program.
|
|
(3) Connection to employers. The Program
|
| Administrators shall, with assistance from the Regional Administrators, connect Program graduates with potential employers in the clean energy jobs industries.
|
|
(4) Graduation. Participants who successfully
|
| complete all assignments in the Program shall receive a Program graduation certificate and any certifications or credentials earned in the process.
|
|
(5) Eligibility. A committed person in a
|
| correctional institution or facility is eligible if the committed person:
|
|
(i) is within 36 months of expected release;
(ii) consented in writing to participation in
|
|
(iii) meets all Program and testing
|
|
(iv) is willing to follow all Program
|
|
(v) does not pose a safety and security risk
|
| for the facility or any person.
|
|
The Department of Corrections shall have sole discretion to determine whether a committed person's participation in the Program poses a safety and security risk for the facility or any person. The Department of Corrections shall determine whether a committed person is eligible to participate in the Program.
(d) Program entry and testing requirements. To enter the Returning Residents Clean Jobs Training Program, committed persons must complete a simple application, undergo an interview and coaching session, and must score a minimum of a 6.0 or above on the Test for Adult Basic Education or the Illinois Community College Board approved assessment for determining basic skills deficiency. The Returning Residents Clean Jobs Training Program shall include a one-week pre-program orientation that ensures the candidates understand and are interested in continuing the Program. Candidates that successfully complete the orientation may continue to the full Program.
(d-5) Training. Once approved for the new program, candidates must receive essential employability skills training as part of vocational or occupational training. Training must lead to certifications or credentials that prepare candidates for employment.
(e) Removal from the Program. The Department of Corrections may remove a committed person enrolled in the Program for violation of institutional rules; failure to participate or meet expectations of the Program; failure of a drug test; disruptive behavior; or for reasons of safety, security, and order of the facility.
(f) Drug testing. A clean drug test is required to complete the Returning Residents Clean Jobs Training Program. A drug test shall be administered at least once prior to graduation. The Department of Corrections shall be responsible for the drug testing of applicants.
(g) Curriculum.
(1) The Department of Commerce and Economic
|
| Opportunity shall design a curriculum for the Program that is as similar as practical to the Clean Jobs Curriculum and meets in-facility requirements. The curriculum shall focus on preparing graduates for employment in the clean energy and related sector jobs as defined in Section 5-25. The Program shall include structured hands-on activities in correctional institutions or facilities, including classroom spaces and outdoor spaces, to instruct participants in the core curriculum established in this Act. The Department and the Department of Corrections shall work together to ensure all curriculum elements may be available within Department of Corrections facilities.
|
|
(2) The Program Administrators shall collaborate to
|
| create and publish a guidebook that allows for the implementation of the curriculum and provides information on all necessary and useful resources for Program participants and graduates.
|
|
(h) Program administration.
(1) The Department of Commerce and Economic
|
| Opportunity shall select a Program Administrator for each Program Delivery Area to administer and coordinate the Program. The Program Administrators shall have strong capabilities, experience, and knowledge related to program development and economic management; cultural and language competency needed to be effective in the communities to be served; committed persons or justice-involved persons; knowledge and experience in working with providers of clean energy jobs; and awareness of clean energy and related sector trends and activities, workforce development best practices, regional workforce development needs, and community development.
|
|
The Program Administrator must pass a background
|
| check administered by the Department of Corrections and be approved by the Department of Corrections to work within a secure facility prior to being hired by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for a Program delivery area.
|
|
(2) The Program Administrators shall:
(i) coordinate with Regional Administrators and
|
| the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program to ensure that execution, performance, partnerships, marketing, and Program access across the State consistent with respecting regional differences;
|
|
(ii) work with community-based organizations
|
| approved to provide industry-recognized credentials or education institutions to deliver the Program;
|
|
(iii) collaborate to create and publish an
|
| employer "Hiring Returning Residents" handbook that includes benefits and expectations of hiring returning residents, guidance on how to recruit, hire, and retain returning residents, guidance on how to access State and federal tax credits and incentives and State and federal resources, guidance on how to update company policies to support hiring and supporting returning residents, and an understanding of the harm in one-size-fits-all policies toward returning residents. The handbook shall be updated every 5 years or more frequently if needed to ensure that its contents are accurate. The handbook shall be made available on the Department's website;
|
|
(iv) work with potential employers to promote
|
| company policies to support hiring and supporting returning residents via employee/employer liability, coverage, insurance, bonding, training, hiring practices, and retention support;
|
|
(v) provide services such as job coaching and
|
| financial coaching to Program graduates to support employment longevity; and
|
|
(vi) identify clean energy job opportunities
|
| and assist participants in achieving employment. The Program shall include at least one job fair; include job placement discussions with clean energy employers; establish a partnership with Illinois solar energy businesses and trade associations to identify solar employers that support and hire returning residents; and involve the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Regional Administrators, and the Advisory Council in finding employment for participants and graduates in the clean energy and related sector industries.
|
|
(3) The Department shall select community-based
|
| organizations to provide Program elements at each facility. Community-based organizations shall be competitively selected by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Community-based organizations delivering the Program elements outlined may provide all elements required or may subcontract to other entities for the provision of portions of Program elements. All contractors who have regular interactions with committed persons, regularly access a Department of Corrections facility, or regularly access a committed person's personal identifying information or other data elements must pass a Department of Corrections background check prior to being approved to administer the Program elements at a facility.
|
|
(4) The Department of Corrections shall aim to
|
| include training in conjunction with other pre-release procedures and movements. Delays in a workshop being provided shall not cause delays in discharge.
|
|
(5) The Program Administrators may establish
|
| shortened Returning Resident Clean Jobs Training Programs to prepare and place graduates in the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program or the Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program following the graduate's release from commitment. Graduates of these programs shall receive training that leads to certification or credentials designed to lead to employment and shall be prioritized for placement in a Clean Jobs Workforce Hubs training program or the Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program.
|
|
(6) The Director of Corrections shall:
(i) Ensure that the wardens or superintendents
|
| of all correctional institutions and facilities visibly post information on the Program in an accessible manner for committed individuals.
|
|
(ii) Identify the institutions and facilities
|
| within the Department of Corrections that will offer the Program. The determination of which facility will offer the Program shall be based on available programming space, staffing, population, facility mission, security concerns, and any other relevant factor in determining suitable locations for the Program.
|
|
(i) Performance metrics.
(1) The Program Administrators shall collect and
|
| disaggregate data by race, ethnicity, gender, age, and location to evaluate and ensure Program and participant success. This data shall be shared with the Office of Equity and shall include:
|
|
(i) the number of returning residents who
|
|
(ii) the number of returning residents who were
|
| accepted for enrollment into the Program;
|
|
(iii) the number of returning residents who
|
| applied for and were denied for enrollment into the Program;
|
|
(iv) the demographics of each entering and
|
|
(v) the percentage of graduates employed at 6
|
| and 12 months after release;
|
|
(vi) the number of returning residents who did
|
| not complete the Program;
|
|
(vii) the total number of individuals
|
|
(viii) the graduate employment status, such as
|
| hire date, pay rates, whether full-time, part-time, or seasonal, and separation date;
|
|
(ix) continuing education and certifications
|
| gained by Program graduates;
|
|
(x) the recidivism rate of Program participants
|
| at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 years after release;
|
|
(xi) the candidates interviewed and their hiring
|
|
(xii) the number of returning residents who
|
| enrolled in the Program and were removed;
|
|
(xiii) the number of returning residents who
|
| graduated from the Program and remained employed in the clean energy industry within one year and 3 years after release. If practicable, the Department shall consult with the Department of Employment Security to also provide this data for 5, 7, and 10 years after release;
|
|
(xiv) the number of returning residents who
|
| graduated from the Program and changed employment in the clean energy industry within one year and 3 years after release. If practicable, the Department shall consult with the Department of Employment Security to also provide this data for 5, 7, and 10 years after release;
|
|
(xv) the number of returning residents who
|
| graduated from the Program and separated from employment in the clean energy industry and received employment in another industry within one year and 3 years after release. If practicable, the Department shall consult with the Department of Employment Security to provide this data for 5, 7, and 10 years after release; and
|
|
(xvi) the number of returning residents who
|
|
(2) The Department of Commerce and Economic
|
| Opportunity shall publish an annual report containing these performance metrics. Data may be disaggregated by institution, discharge, or residence address of resident, and other factors.
|
|
(j) Funding. Funding for the Program is subject to appropriation from the Energy Transition Assistance Fund. Funding may be made available from other lawful sources, including donations, grants, and federal incentives.
(k) Access. The Program instructors and staff must pass a background check administered by the Department of Corrections prior to entering a Department of Corrections institution or facility. The Warden or Superintendent shall have the authority to deny a Program instructor or staff member entry into an institution or facility for safety and security concerns or failure to follow all facility procedures or protocols. A Program instructor or staff member administering the Program may be terminated or have his or her contract canceled if the Program instructor or staff member is denied entry into an institution or facility for safety and security concerns.
(Source: P.A. 102-662, eff. 9-15-21; 103-198, eff. 1-1-24.)
|
(20 ILCS 730/5-55) (Section scheduled to be repealed on September 15, 2045) Sec. 5-55. Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program. (a) As used in this Section: "Approved vendor" means the definition of that term used and as may be updated by the Illinois Power Agency. "Minority business" means a minority-owned business as defined in Section 2 of the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act. "Minority Business Enterprise certification" means the certification or recognition certification affidavit from the Commission on Equity and Inclusion's Business Enterprise Program or a program with equivalent requirements. "Program" means the Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program. "Returning resident" has the meaning given to that term in Section 5-50 of this Act. (b) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall develop, and through a Primes Program Administrator and Regional Primes Program Leads described in this Section, administer the Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program. The Program shall be administered in 3 program delivery areas: the Northern Illinois Program Delivery Area covering Northern Illinois, the Central Illinois Program Delivery Area covering Central Illinois, and the Southern Illinois Program Delivery Area covering Southern Illinois. Prior to developing the Program, the Department shall solicit public comments, with a 30-day comment period, to gather input on Program implementation and associated community outreach options. (c) The Program shall be available to selected contractors who best meet the following criteria: (1) 2 or more years of experience in a clean energy |
| or a related contracting field;
|
|
(2) at least $5,000 in annual business; and
(3) a substantial and demonstrated commitment of
|
| investing in and partnering with individuals and institutions in equity investment eligible communities.
|
|
(c-5) The Department shall develop scoring criteria to select contractors for the Program, which shall consider:
(1) projected hiring and industry job creation,
|
| including wage and benefit expectations;
|
|
(2) a clear vision of strategic business growth and
|
| how increased capitalization would benefit the business;
|
|
(3) past project work quality and demonstration of
|
|
(4) capacity the applicant is anticipated to bring to
|
|
(5) willingness to assume risk;
(6) anticipated revenues from future projects;
(7) history of commitment to advancing equity as
|
| demonstrated by, among other things, employment of or ownership by equity investment eligible persons and a history of partnership with equity focused community organizations or government programs; and
|
|
(8) business models that build wealth in the larger
|
|
Applicants for Program participation shall be allowed to reapply for a future cohort if they are not selected, and the Primes Program Administrator shall inform each applicant of this option.
(d) The Department, in consultation with the Primes Program Administrator and Regional Primes Program Leads, shall select a new cohort of participant contractors from each Program Delivery Area every 18 months. Each regional cohort shall include between 3 and 5 participants. The Program shall cap contractors in the energy efficiency sector at 50% of available cohort spots and 50% of available grants and loans, if possible.
(e) The Department shall hire a Primes Program Administrator with experience in leading a large contractor-based business in Illinois; coaching and mentoring; the Illinois clean energy industry; and working with equity investment eligible community members, organizations, and businesses.
(f) The Department shall select 3 Regional Primes Program Leads who shall report directly to the Primes Program Administrator. The Regional Primes Program Leads shall be located within their Program Delivery Area and have experience in leading a large contractor-based business in Illinois; coaching and mentoring; the Illinois clean energy industry; developing relationships with companies in the Program Delivery Area; and working with equity investment eligible community members, organizations, and businesses.
(g) The Department may determine how Program elements will be delivered or may contract with organizations with experience delivering the Program elements described in subsection (h) of this Section.
(h) The Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program shall provide participants with:
(1) a 5-year, 6-month progressive course of
|
| one-on-one coaching to assist each participant in developing an achievable 5-year business plan, including review of monthly metrics, and advice on achieving participant's goals;
|
|
(2) operational support grants not to exceed
|
| $1,000,000 annually to support the growth of participant contractors with access to capital for upfront project costs and pre-development funding, among others. The amount of the grant shall be based on anticipated project size and scope;
|
|
(3) business coaching based on the participant's
|
|
(4) a mentorship of approximately 2 years provided by
|
| a qualified company in the participant's field;
|
|
(5) access to Clean Energy Contractor Incubator
|
|
(6) assistance with applying for Minority Business
|
| Enterprise certification and other relevant certifications and approved vendor status for programs offered by utilities or other entities;
|
|
(7) assistance with preparing bids and Request for
|
|
(8) opportunities to be listed in any relevant
|
| directories and databases organized by the Commission on Equity and Inclusion;
|
|
(9) opportunities to connect with participants in
|
| other Department programs;
|
|
(10) assistance connecting with and initiating
|
| participation in the Illinois Power Agency's Adjustable Block program, the Illinois Solar for All Program, and utility programs; and
|
|
(11) financial development assistance programs such
|
| as zero-interest and low-interest loans with the Climate Bank as established by Article 850 of the Illinois Finance Authority Act or a comparable financing mechanism. The Illinois Finance Authority shall retain authority to determine loan repayment terms and conditions.
|
|
(i) The Primes Program Administrator shall:
(1) collect and report performance metrics as
|
| described in this Section;
|
|
(2) review and assess:
(i) participant work plans and annual goals; and
(ii) the mentorship program, including approved
|
| mentor companies and their stipend awards; and
|
|
(3) work with the Regional Primes Program Leads to
|
| publicize the Program; design and implement a mentorship program; and ensure participants are quickly on-boarded.
|
|
(j) The Regional Primes Program Leads shall:
(1) publicize the Program; the budget shall include
|
| funds to pay community-based organizations with a track record of working with equity investment eligible communities to complete this work;
|
|
(2) recruit qualified Program applicants;
(3) assist Program applicants with the application
|
|
(4) introduce participants to the Program offerings;
(5) conduct entry and annual assessments with
|
| participants to identify training, coaching, and other Program service needs;
|
|
(6) assist participants in developing goals on entry
|
| and annually, and assessing progress toward meeting the goals;
|
|
(7) establish a metric reporting system with each
|
| participant and track the metrics for progress against the contractor's work plan and Program goals;
|
|
(8) assist participants in receiving their Minority
|
| Business Enterprise certification and any other relevant certifications and approved vendor statuses;
|
|
(9) match participants with Clean Energy Contractor
|
| Incubator Program offerings and individualized expert coaching, including training on working with returning residents and companies that employ them;
|
|
(10) pair participants with a mentor company;
(11) facilitate connections between participants and
|
| potential subcontractors and employees;
|
|
(12) dispense a participant's awarded operational
|
|
(13) connect participants to zero-interest and
|
| low-interest loans from the Climate Bank as established by Article 850 of the Illinois Finance Authority Act or a comparable financing mechanism;
|
|
(14) encourage participants to apply for appropriate
|
| State and private business opportunities;
|
|
(15) review a participant's progress and make a
|
| recommendation to the Department about whether the participant should continue in the Program, be considered a Program graduate, and whether adjustments should be made to a participant's grant funding, loans, and related services;
|
|
(16) solicit information from participants, which
|
| participants shall be required to provide, necessary to understand the participant's business, including financial and income information, certifications that the participant is seeking to obtain, and ownership, employee, and subcontractor data, including compensation, length of service, and demographics; and
|
|
(17) other duties as required.
(k) Performance metrics. The Primes Program Administrator and Regional Primes Program Leads shall collaborate to collect and report the following metrics quarterly to the Department and Advisory Council:
(1) demographic information on cohort recruiting and
|
| formation, including racial, gender, geographic distribution data, and data on the number and percentage of R3 residents, environmental justice community residents, foster care alumni, and formerly convicted persons who are cohort applicants and admitted participants;
|
|
(2) participant contractor engagement in other
|
| Illinois clean energy programs such as the Adjustable Block program, Illinois Solar for All Program, and the utility-run energy efficiency and electric vehicle programs;
|
|
(3) retention of participants in each cohort;
(4) total projects bid, started, and completed by
|
| participants, including information about revenue, hiring, and subcontractor relationships with projects;
|
|
(5) certifications issued;
(6) employment data for contractor hires and industry
|
| jobs created, including demographic, salary, length of service, and geographic data;
|
|
(7) grants and loans distributed; and
(8) participant satisfaction with the Program.
The metrics in paragraphs (2), (4), and (6) shall be collected from Program participants and graduates for 10 years from their entrance into the Program to help the Department and Program Administrators understand the Program's long-term effect.
Data should be anonymized where needed to protect participant privacy.
The Department shall make such reports publicly available on its website.
(l) Mentorship Program.
(1) The Regional Primes Program Leads shall recruit,
|
| and the Primes Program Administrator shall select, with approval from the Department, private companies with the following qualifications to mentor participants and assist them in succeeding in the clean energy industry:
|
|
(i) excellent standing with state clean energy
|
|
(ii) 4 or more years of experience in their
|
|
(iii) a proven track record of success in their
|
|
(2) Mentor companies may receive a stipend,
|
| determined by the Department, for their participation. Mentor companies may identify what level of stipend they require.
|
|
(3) The Primes Program Administrator shall develop
|
| guidelines for mentor company-mentee profit sharing or purchased services agreements.
|
|
(4) The Regional Primes Program Leads shall:
(i) collaborate with mentor companies and
|
| participants to create a plan for ongoing contact such as on-the-job training, site walkthroughs, business process and structure walkthroughs, quality assurance and quality control reviews, and other relevant activities;
|
|
(ii) recommend the mentor company-mentee pairings
|
| and associated mentor company stipends for approval;
|
|
(iii) conduct an annual review of each mentor
|
| company-mentee pairing and recommend whether the pairing continues for a second year and the level of stipend that is appropriate. The review shall also ensure that any profit sharing and purchased services agreements adhere to the guidelines established by the Primes Program Administrator.
|
|
(5) Contractors may request reassignment to a new
|
|
(m) Disparity study. The Program Administrator shall cooperate with the Illinois Power Agency in the conduct of a disparity study, as described in subsection (c-15) of Section 1-75 of the Illinois Power Agency Act, and in the effectuation of appropriate remedies necessary to address any discrimination that such study may find. Potential remedies shall include, but not be limited to, race-conscious remedies to rapidly eliminate discrimination faced by minority businesses and works in the industry this Program serves, consistent with the law. Remedies shall be developed through consultation with individuals, companies, and organizations that have expertise on discrimination faced in the market and potential legally permissible remedies for addressing it. Notwithstanding any other requirement of this Section, the Program Administrator shall modify program participation criteria or goals as soon as the report has been published, in such a way as is consistent with state and federal law, to rapidly eliminate discrimination on minority businesses and workers in the industry this Program serves by setting standards for Program participation. This study will be paid for with funds from the Energy Transition Assistance Fund or any other lawful source.
(n) Program budget.
(1) The Department may allocate up to $3,000,000
|
| annually to the Primes Program Administrator for each of the 3 regional budgets from the Energy Transition Assistance Fund.
|
|
(2) The Primes Program Administrator shall work with
|
| the Illinois Finance Authority and the Climate Bank as established by Article 850 of the Illinois Finance Authority Act or comparable financing institution so that loan loss reserves may be sufficient to underwrite $7,000,000 in low-interest loans in each of the 3 Program delivery areas.
|
|
(3) Any grant and loan funding shall be made
|
| available to participants in a timely fashion.
|
|
(Source: P.A. 102-662, eff. 9-15-21; 103-961, eff. 8-9-24.)
|
(20 ILCS 730/5-60) (Section scheduled to be repealed on September 15, 2045)
Sec. 5-60. Jobs and Environmental Justice Grant Program.
(a) In order to provide upfront capital to support the development of projects, businesses, community organizations, and jobs creating opportunity for historically disadvantaged populations, and to provide seed capital to support community ownership of renewable energy projects, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall create and administer a Jobs and Environmental Justice Grant Program. The grant program shall be designed to help remove barriers to project, community, and business development caused by a lack of capital.
(b) The grant program shall provide grant awards of up to $1,000,000 per application to support the development of renewable energy resources as defined in Section 1-10 of the Illinois Power Agency Act, and energy efficiency measures as defined in Section 8-103B of the Public Utilities Act. The amount of a grant award shall be based on a project's size and scope. Grants shall be provided upfront, in advance of other incentives, to provide businesses, organizations, and community groups with capital needed to plan, develop, and execute a project. Grants shall be designed to coordinate with and supplement existing incentive programs, such as the Adjustable Block program, the Illinois Solar for All Program, the community renewable generation projects, and renewable energy procurements as described in the Illinois Power Agency Act, as well as utility energy efficiency measures as described in Section 8-103B of the Public Utilities Act.
(c) The Jobs and Environmental Justice Grant Program shall include 2 subprograms: (1) the Equitable Energy Future Grant Program; and (2) the Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant |
|
(d) The Equitable Energy Future Grant Program is designed to provide seed funding and pre-development funding opportunities for equity eligible contractors.
(1) The Equitable Energy Future Grant shall be
|
| awarded to businesses and nonprofit organizations for costs related to the following activities and project needs:
|
|
(i) planning and project development, including
|
| costs for professional services such as architecture, design, engineering, auditing, consulting, and developer services;
|
|
(ii) project application, deposit, and
|
|
(iii) purchasing and leasing of land;
(iv) permitting and zoning;
(v) interconnection application costs and fees,
|
|
(vi) equipment and supplies;
(vii) community outreach, marketing, and
|
|
(viii) staff and operations expenses.
(2) Grants shall be awarded to projects that most
|
| effectively provide opportunities for equity eligible contractors and equity investment eligible communities, and should consider the following criteria:
|
|
(i) projects that provide community benefits,
|
| which are projects that have one or more of the following characteristics: (A) greater than 50% of the project's energy provided or saved benefits low-income residents, or (B) the project benefits not-for-profit organizations providing services to low-income households, affordable housing owners, or community-based limited liability companies providing services to low-income households;
|
|
(ii) projects that are located in equity
|
| investment eligible communities;
|
|
(iii) projects that provide on-the-job
|
|
(iv) projects that contract with contractors
|
| who are participating or have participated in the Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program, Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program, or similar programs; and
|
|
(v) projects employ a minimum of 51% of its
|
| workforce from participants and graduates of the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program, Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program, and Returning Residents Clean Jobs Training Program.
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(3) Grants shall be awarded to applicants that meet
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(i) are equity eligible contractors per the
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| equity accountability systems described in subsection (c-10) of Section 1-75 of the Illinois Power Agency Act, or meet the equity building criteria in paragraph (9.5) of subsection (g) of Section 8-103B of the Public Utilities Act; and
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(ii) provide demonstrable proof of a historical
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| or future, and persisting, long-term partnership with the community in which the project will be located.
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(e) The Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program shall be designed to support the pre-development and development of community solar projects that promote community ownership and energy sovereignty.
(1) Grants shall be awarded to applicants that best
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| demonstrate the ability and intent to create community ownership and other local community benefits, including local community wealth building via community renewable generation projects. Grants shall be prioritized to applicants for whom:
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(i) the proposed project is located in and
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| supporting an equity investment eligible community or communities; and
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(ii) the proposed project provides additional
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| benefits for participating low-income households.
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(2) Grant funds shall be awarded to support
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| project pre-development work and may also be awarded to support the development of programs and entities to assist in the long-term governance, management, and maintenance of community solar projects, such as community solar cooperatives. For example, funds may be awarded for:
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(i) early stage project planning;
(ii) project team organization;
(iii) site identification;
(iv) organizing a project business model and
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|
(v) procurement and contracting;
(vi) customer outreach and enrollment;
(vii) preliminary site assessments;
(viii) development of cooperative or community
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(ix) development of project models that
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| allocate benefits to equity investment eligible communities.
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(3) Grant recipients shall submit reports to the
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| Department at the end of the grant term on the activities pursued under their grant and any lessons learned for publication on the Department's website so that other energy sovereignty projects may learn from their experience.
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(4) Eligible applicants shall include
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| community-based organizations, as defined in the Illinois Power Agency's long-term renewable resources procurement plan, or technical service providers working in direct partnership with community-based organizations.
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(5) The amount of a grant shall be based on a
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| projects' size and scope. Grants shall allow for a significant portion, or the entirety, of the grant value to be made upfront, in advance of other incentives, to ensure businesses and organizations have the capital needed to plan, develop, and execute a project.
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(f) The application process for both subprograms shall not be burdensome on applicants, nor require extensive technical knowledge, and shall be able to be completed on less than 4 standard letter-sized pages.
(g) These grant subprograms may be coordinated with low-interest and no-interest financing opportunities offered through the Clean Energy Jobs and Justice Fund.
(h) The grant subprograms may have a budget of up to $34,000,000 per year. No more than 25% of the allocated budget shall go to the Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program.
(Source: P.A. 102-662, eff. 9-15-21.)
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(20 ILCS 730/5-65) (Section scheduled to be repealed on September 15, 2045)
Sec. 5-65. Energy Workforce Advisory Council. (a) The Energy Workforce Advisory Council is hereby created within the Department. (b) The Council shall consist of the following voting members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, chosen to ensure diverse geographic representation: (1) two members representing trade associations |
| representing companies active in the clean energy industries;
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(2) two members representing a labor union;
(3) one member who has participated in the workforce
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| development programs created under this Act;
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(4) two members representing higher education;
(5) two members representing economic development
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(6) two members representing local workforce
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(7) two residents of environmental justice
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(8) three members from community-based organizations
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| in environmental justice communities and community-based organizations serving low-income persons and families;
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|
(9) two members who are policy or implementation
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| experts on small business development, contractor incubation, or small business lending and financing needs;
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|
(10) two members who are policy or implementation
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| experts on workforce development for populations and individuals such as low-income persons and families, environmental justice communities, BIPOC communities, formerly convicted persons, persons who are or were in the child welfare system, energy workers, gender nonconforming and transgender individuals, and youth; and
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(11) two representatives of clean energy businesses,
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| nonprofit organizations, or other groups that provide clean energy.
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|
The President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives shall each appoint 2 nonvoting members of the Council.
(c) The Council shall:
(1) coordinate and inform on worker and contractor
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| support priorities beyond current federal, State, local, and private programs and resources;
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|
(2) advise and produce recommendations for further
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| federal, State, and local programs and activities;
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|
(3) fulfill other duties determined by the Council to
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| further the success of the Workforce Hubs, Incubators, and Returning Residents Programs;
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|
(4) review program performance metrics;
(5) provide recommendations to the Department on the
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| administration of the following programs:
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(i) the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program;
(ii) the Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship
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|
(iii) the Clean Energy Contractor Incubator
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|
(iv) the Returning Residents Clean Jobs Training
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|
(v) the Clean Energy Primes Contractor
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|
(6) recommend outreach opportunities to ensure that
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| program contracting, training, and other opportunities are widely publicized;
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|
(7) participate in independent program evaluations;
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|
(8) assist the Department by providing insight into
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| how relevant State, local, and federal programs are viewed by residents, businesses, and institutions within their respective communities.
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(d) The Council shall conduct its first meeting within 30 days after all members have been appointed. The Council shall meet quarterly after its first meeting. Additional hearings and public meetings are permitted at the discretion of the members. The Council may meet in person or through video or audio conference. Meeting times may be varied to accommodate Council member schedules.
(e) Members shall serve without compensation and shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties from funds appropriated for that purpose.
(Source: P.A. 102-662, eff. 9-15-21.)
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