SB3928 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 21622 WGH 38917 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
SB3928

Introduced 3/23/2010, by Sen. Toi W. Hutchinson

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

820 ILCS 405/1717 new

Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that: eligible economically distressed workers enrolled or participating in economically distressed worker training may not be denied unemployment insurance benefits solely because they are attending training; eligible economically distressed workers approved for economically distressed worker training may not be denied unemployment insurance benefits for refusing to accept work, subject to certain conditions; and eligible economically distressed workers who are enrolled or participating in economically distressed worker training and who are otherwise eligible for unemployment insurance benefits are not ineligible for benefits or waiting week credit because of attendance in the training. Sets forth duties of the Director of Employment Security and contains provisions regarding rules and a report. Provides that a base period employer's account may not be charged for benefits for economically distressed worker training paid under this Section, but this does not relieve the State, reimbursing political subdivisions, or reimbursing nonprofit employers from paying into the unemployment trust fund account an amount equal to the benefits for economically distressed worker training paid under the new provisions. Contains applicability provisions.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning employment.

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

Section 5. The Unemployment Insurance Act is amended by adding Section 1717 as follows:

(820 ILCS 405/1717 new)

Sec. 1717. Economically distressed worker training.

A. As used in this Section:

1. "Economically distressed worker training" means:

a. training and education that provide occupation-specific skills required in high-demand occupations, as determined by the Director; or

b. retraining and basic education, including literacy skills, that are designed to prepare an individual, within a reasonable period not to exceed 2 years, for gainful employment or self-employment that is likely to become full-time employment paying at least 110% of the minimum wage established under the Minimum Wage Law.

"Economically distressed worker training" does not include programs of instruction that are primarily intended to lead to a baccalaureate or higher degree, or training that prepares individuals for employment in occupations that require a baccalaureate or higher degree, unless approved by the Director.

2. "Eligible economically distressed workers" means individuals who:

a. are unemployed as described in Section 239;

b. are eligible for benefits under this Act and are not disqualified from receiving benefits under this Act; and

c. have been employed in work paying less than 110% of the minimum wage established under the Minimum Wage Law during their entire base period.

B. Eligible economically distressed workers enrolled or participating in economically distressed worker training may not be denied unemployment insurance benefits solely because they are attending training. Eligible economically distressed workers approved for economically distressed worker training may not be denied unemployment insurance benefits for refusing to accept work if the work offered:

1. is part-time or temporary or interferes with the eligible economically distressed worker's training schedule; and

2. pays less than 110% of the minimum wage established under the Minimum Wage Law.

Notwithstanding any provision of this Act relating to availability for work or actively seeking work, eligible economically distressed workers who are enrolled or participating in economically distressed worker training and who are otherwise eligible for unemployment insurance benefits are not ineligible for benefits or waiting week credit because of attendance in the training.

C. The Director shall adopt rules necessary for the administration of this Section, including procedures for approval, periodic review for continued approval, or disapproval of economically distressed worker training for eligible economically distressed workers. The Director shall ensure that all programs for eligible economically distressed workers provide integrated and appropriate training and education. Not later than March 1, 2012, the Director shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly a report on the operation of economically distressed worker training through January 31, 2012.

D. A base period employer's account may not be charged for benefits for economically distressed worker training paid under this Section. However, nothing in this Section may be construed to relieve the State, reimbursing political subdivisions, or reimbursing nonprofit employers from paying into the unemployment trust fund account an amount equal to the benefits for economically distressed worker training paid under this Section.

E. This Section applies to claims for benefits filed on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly.