Public Act 103-0598
 
HB4417 EnrolledLRB103 34712 RJT 64559 b

    AN ACT concerning education.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section
27-23.17 as follows:
 
    (105 ILCS 5/27-23.17 new)
    Sec. 27-23.17. Workplace Readiness Week.
    (a) Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, all public
high schools, including charter schools, may designate and
annually observe a week known as "Workplace Readiness Week".
During that week, students shall be provided information on
their rights as workers. The topics covered shall include, but
are not limited to, local, State, and federal laws regarding
each of the following areas and shall include the labor
movement's role in winning the protections and benefits
described in those areas:
        (1) Prohibitions against misclassification of
    employees as independent contractors.
        (2) Child labor.
        (3) Wage and hour protections.
        (4) Worker safety.
        (5) Workers' compensation.
        (6) Unemployment insurance.
        (7) Paid sick leave and paid family leave.
        (8) The right to organize a union in the workplace.
        (9) Prohibitions against retaliation by employers when
    workers exercise their rights as workers or any other
    rights guaranteed by law.
    During Workplace Readiness Week, students shall also be
provided information introducing them to State-approved
apprenticeship programs, how to access them, the variety of
programs available, and how they can provide an alternative
career path for those students who choose not to attend a
traditional higher education program.
    (b) If a school observes Workplace Readiness Week under
this Section, then, for students in grades 11 and 12, the
information required to be provided in subsection (a) shall be
integrated into the regular school program but may also be
provided during special events after regular school hours.
Integration into the regular school program is encouraged, but
not required, to occur during Workplace Readiness Week.
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.