State of Illinois
90th General Assembly
Legislation

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90_HB3752

      15 ILCS 322/15
          Amends the Illinois  Literacy  Act.   Provides  that  the
      Secretary of State in consultation with the Literacy Advisory
      Board  is  authorized to award grants to employers to improve
      the basic skills of current and prospective  employees  (now,
      their employees).  Effective immediately.
                                                     LRB9009042PTsb
                                               LRB9009042PTsb
 1        AN  ACT  to  amend  the Illinois Literacy Act by changing
 2    Section 15.
 3        Be it enacted by the People of  the  State  of  Illinois,
 4    represented in the General Assembly:
 5        Section  5.   The  Illinois  Literacy  Act  is amended by
 6    changing Section 15 as follows:
 7        (15 ILCS 322/15)
 8        Sec. 15.  Grants.
 9        (a)  The Secretary of State,  in  consultation  with  the
10    Literacy  Advisory  Board created by Section 7.2 of the State
11    Library Act, is authorized  to  award  grants  that  develop,
12    expand,  or  support  adult  literacy  programs  in  Illinois
13    through   community   programs   administered   by  education
14    agencies,    libraries,    volunteer    or    community-based
15    organizations, or a coalition of any of those groups.
16        (b)  The Secretary of State,  in  consultation  with  the
17    Literacy  Advisory  Board created by Section 7.2 of the State
18    Library Act, is authorized  to  award  grants  for  workplace
19    programs to public or private employers or entities acting on
20    behalf  of  a  coalition  of  employers  to improve the basic
21    skills of current and prospective their employees.    Current
22    and  prospective  employees'  lack of basic skills may impede
23    hiring,  have   impeded   effective   job   performance,   or
24    eligibility  for advancement. Public funds awarded under this
25    grant program must be matched by the business with  funds  at
26    least equal to the amount of public funds awarded.
27        (c)  The  Secretary of State is authorized to make family
28    literacy  grants   that   will   assist   in   breaking   the
29    intergenerational  cycle  of  illiteracy.   The  grants  must
30    involve  an  adult  literacy  component and an entity working
31    with children at risk of school failure.  Programs will focus
                            -2-                LRB9009042PTsb
 1    on parents or guardians and children involved  in  reciprocal
 2    learning and teaching. In addition to other grants authorized
 3    in  this  subsection,  the Secretary of State may make family
 4    literacy grants, upon his or her approval of application from
 5    entities, for innovative programming in the  area  of  parent
 6    and  child learning activities.  The Secretary of State shall
 7    establish criteria for awarding  the  grants  by  rule.   The
 8    Secretary  of  State  may expend appropriations statewide for
 9    direct purchases  of  equipment  and  services  that  support
10    families learning together.
11    (Source: P.A. 89-697, eff. 1-6-97.)
12        Section  99.  Effective date.  This Act takes effect upon
13    becoming law.

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