Public Act 1045 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB4201 Enrolled LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b

Public Act 102-1045

AN ACT concerning education.

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

Section 5. The University of Illinois Act is amended by adding Section 160 as follows:

(110 ILCS 305/160 new)

Sec. 160. Benefits navigator.

(a) In this Section:

"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is designated by the University for the purpose of helping students at the University determine eligibility for benefit programs and identify campuswide and community resource support.

"Benefit program" means any federal, State, or local program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on the basis of need.

(b) The University shall:

(1) designate a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit programs and campuswide and community resource support;

(2) provide training for the benefits navigator; and

(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education, facilitated by the Board of Higher Education, for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators.

(c) The benefits navigator designated under this Section shall:

(1) assist students at the University in determining eligibility for benefit programs and identifying campuswide and community resource support;

(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits navigators at other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of collecting data and developing best practices for helping students apply for and receive assistance from benefit programs; and

(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific resources, including resources for non-English speakers, to support students at the University.

(d) The University, in consultation with the benefits navigator designated under this Section, shall develop an internal process to enable students at the University to provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefit programs and applying for assistance under benefit programs.

Section 10. The Southern Illinois University Management Act is amended by adding Section 135 as follows:

(110 ILCS 520/135 new)

Sec. 135. Benefits navigator.

(a) In this Section:

"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is designated by the University for the purpose of helping students at the University determine eligibility for benefit programs and identify campuswide and community resource support.

"Benefit program" means any federal, State, or local program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on the basis of need.

(b) The University shall:

(1) designate a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit programs and campuswide and community resource support;

(2) provide training for the benefits navigator; and

(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education, facilitated by the Board of Higher Education, for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators.

(c) The benefits navigator designated under this Section shall:

(1) assist students at the University in determining eligibility for benefit programs and identifying campuswide and community resource support;

(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits navigators at other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of collecting data and developing best practices for helping students apply for and receive assistance from benefit programs; and

(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific resources, including resources for non-English speakers, to support students at the University.

(d) The University, in consultation with the benefits navigator designated under this Section, shall develop an internal process to enable students at the University to provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefit programs and applying for assistance under benefit programs.

Section 15. The Chicago State University Law is amended by adding Section 5-245 as follows:

(110 ILCS 660/5-245 new)

Sec. 5-245. Benefits navigator.

(a) In this Section:

"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is designated by the University for the purpose of helping students at the University determine eligibility for benefit programs and identify campuswide and community resource support.

"Benefit program" means any federal, State, or local program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on the basis of need.

(b) The University shall:

(1) designate a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit programs and campuswide and community resource support;

(2) provide training for the benefits navigator; and

(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education, facilitated by the Board of Higher Education, for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators.

(c) The benefits navigator designated under this Section shall:

(1) assist students at the University in determining eligibility for benefit programs and identifying campuswide and community resource support;

(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits navigators at other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of collecting data and developing best practices for helping students apply for and receive assistance from benefit programs; and

(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific resources, including resources for non-English speakers, to support students at the University.

(d) The University, in consultation with the benefits navigator designated under this Section, shall develop an internal process to enable students at the University to provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefit programs and applying for assistance under benefit programs.

Section 20. The Eastern Illinois University Law is amended by adding Section 10-245 as follows:

(110 ILCS 665/10-245 new)

Sec. 10-245. Benefits navigator.

(a) In this Section:

"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is designated by the University for the purpose of helping students at the University determine eligibility for benefit programs and identify campuswide and community resource support.

"Benefit program" means any federal, State, or local program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on the basis of need.

(b) The University shall:

(1) designate a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit programs and campuswide and community resource support;

(2) provide training for the benefits navigator; and

(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education, facilitated by the Board of Higher Education, for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators.

(c) The benefits navigator designated under this Section shall:

(1) assist students at the University in determining eligibility for benefit programs and identifying campuswide and community resource support;

(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits navigators at other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of collecting data and developing best practices for helping students apply for and receive assistance from benefit programs; and

(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific resources, including resources for non-English speakers, to support students at the University.

(d) The University, in consultation with the benefits navigator designated under this Section, shall develop an internal process to enable students at the University to provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefit programs and applying for assistance under benefit programs.

Section 25. The Governors State University Law is amended by adding Section 15-245 as follows:

(110 ILCS 670/15-245 new)

Sec. 15-245. Benefits navigator.

(a) In this Section:

"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is designated by the University for the purpose of helping students at the University determine eligibility for benefit programs and identify campuswide and community resource support.

"Benefit program" means any federal, State, or local program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on the basis of need.

(b) The University shall:

(1) designate a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit programs and campuswide and community resource support;

(2) provide training for the benefits navigator; and

(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education, facilitated by the Board of Higher Education, for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators.

(c) The benefits navigator designated under this Section shall:

(1) assist students at the University in determining eligibility for benefit programs and identifying campuswide and community resource support;

(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits navigators at other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of collecting data and developing best practices for helping students apply for and receive assistance from benefit programs; and

(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific resources, including resources for non-English speakers, to support students at the University.

(d) The University, in consultation with the benefits navigator designated under this Section, shall develop an internal process to enable students at the University to provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefit programs and applying for assistance under benefit programs.

Section 30. The Illinois State University Law is amended by adding Section 20-250 as follows:

(110 ILCS 675/20-250 new)

Sec. 20-250. Benefits navigator.

(a) In this Section:

"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is designated by the University for the purpose of helping students at the University determine eligibility for benefit programs and identify campuswide and community resource support.

"Benefit program" means any federal, State, or local program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on the basis of need.

(b) The University shall:

(1) designate a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit programs and campuswide and community resource support;

(2) provide training for the benefits navigator; and

(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education, facilitated by the Board of Higher Education, for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators.

(c) The benefits navigator designated under this Section shall:

(1) assist students at the University in determining eligibility for benefit programs and identifying campuswide and community resource support;

(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits navigators at other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of collecting data and developing best practices for helping students apply for and receive assistance from benefit programs; and

(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific resources, including resources for non-English speakers, to support students at the University.

(d) The University, in consultation with the benefits navigator designated under this Section, shall develop an internal process to enable students at the University to provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefit programs and applying for assistance under benefit programs.

Section 35. The Northeastern Illinois University Law is amended by adding Section 25-245 as follows:

(110 ILCS 680/25-245 new)

Sec. 25-245. Benefits navigator.

(a) In this Section:

"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is designated by the University for the purpose of helping students at the University determine eligibility for benefit programs and identify campuswide and community resource support.

"Benefit program" means any federal, State, or local program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on the basis of need.

(b) The University shall:

(1) designate a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit programs and campuswide and community resource support;

(2) provide training for the benefits navigator; and

(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education, facilitated by the Board of Higher Education, for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators.

(c) The benefits navigator designated under this Section shall:

(1) assist students at the University in determining eligibility for benefit programs and identifying campuswide and community resource support;

(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits navigators at other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of collecting data and developing best practices for helping students apply for and receive assistance from benefit programs; and

(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific resources, including resources for non-English speakers, to support students at the University.

(d) The University, in consultation with the benefits navigator designated under this Section, shall develop an internal process to enable students at the University to provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefit programs and applying for assistance under benefit programs.

Section 40. The Northern Illinois University Law is amended by adding Section 30-255 as follows:

(110 ILCS 685/30-255 new)

Sec. 30-255. Benefits navigator.

(a) In this Section:

"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is designated by the University for the purpose of helping students at the University determine eligibility for benefit programs and identify campuswide and community resource support.

"Benefit program" means any federal, State, or local program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on the basis of need.

(b) The University shall:

(1) designate a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit programs and campuswide and community resource support;

(2) provide training for the benefits navigator; and

(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education, facilitated by the Board of Higher Education, for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators.

(c) The benefits navigator designated under this Section shall:

(1) assist students at the University in determining eligibility for benefit programs and identifying campuswide and community resource support;

(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits navigators at other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of collecting data and developing best practices for helping students apply for and receive assistance from benefit programs; and

(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific resources, including resources for non-English speakers, to support students at the University.

(d) The University, in consultation with the benefits navigator designated under this Section, shall develop an internal process to enable students at the University to provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefit programs and applying for assistance under benefit programs.

Section 45. The Western Illinois University Law is amended by adding Section 35-250 as follows:

(110 ILCS 690/35-250 new)

Sec. 35-250. Benefits navigator.

(a) In this Section:

"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is designated by the University for the purpose of helping students at the University determine eligibility for benefit programs and identify campuswide and community resource support.

"Benefit program" means any federal, State, or local program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on the basis of need.

(b) The University shall:

(1) designate a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit programs and campuswide and community resource support;

(2) provide training for the benefits navigator; and

(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education, facilitated by the Board of Higher Education, for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators.

(c) The benefits navigator designated under this Section shall:

(1) assist students at the University in determining eligibility for benefit programs and identifying campuswide and community resource support;

(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits navigators at other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of collecting data and developing best practices for helping students apply for and receive assistance from benefit programs; and

(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific resources, including resources for non-English speakers, to support students at the University.

(d) The University, in consultation with the benefits navigator designated under this Section, shall develop an internal process to enable students at the University to provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefit programs and applying for assistance under benefit programs.

Section 50. The Public Community College Act is amended by adding Section 3-29.20 as follows:

(110 ILCS 805/3-29.20 new)

Sec. 3-29.20. Benefits navigator.

(a) In this Section:

"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is designated by a community college for the purpose of helping students at the community college determine eligibility for benefit programs and identify campuswide and community resource support.

"Benefit program" means any federal, State, or local program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on the basis of need.

(b) A community college shall:

(1) designate a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit programs and campuswide and community resource support;

(2) provide training for the benefits navigator; and

(3) participate in a statewide community college consortium, facilitated by the State Board, for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators.

(c) The benefits navigator designated under this Section shall:

(1) assist students at the community college in determining eligibility for benefit programs and identifying campuswide and community resource support;

(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits navigators at other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of collecting data and developing best practices for helping students apply for and receive assistance from benefit programs; and

(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific resources, including resources for non-English speakers, to support students at the community college.

(d) The community college, in consultation with the benefits navigator designated under this Section, shall develop an internal process to enable students at the community college to provide feedback and recommendations on how the community college can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefit programs and applying for assistance under benefit programs.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2023.

Effective Date: 1/1/2023