SB3613 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB097 19775 KTG 65041 b

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
SB3613

Introduced 2/10/2012, by Sen. Kyle McCarter

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

305 ILCS 5/12-4.45 new

Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Creates the Workforce Preparation Task Force to study and report on ways that promote the economic self-sufficiency of individuals who receive benefits under the State's General Assistance program, with the underlying intention to reduce the overall number of individuals receiving benefits under the program through increased levels of sustainable employment skills. Requires the Task Force to outline in its final report to the General Assembly and the Governor a 5-year plan that utilizes existing State resources and programs to reduce the overall number of general assistance recipients by one-third through enrollment in and successful completion of appropriate educational or job-training programs that can directly lead to sustainable employment opportunities in the job market. Provides that the Task Force shall meet on a periodic basis to examine and compile data regarding educational and job-training programs and resources as well as levels of benefits that recipients receive from the State's General Assistance program. Requires the Department of Human Services to maintain a database of information that tracks the overall trends of the 5-year plan and to provide quarterly updates to the public in both electronic and written formats. Contains provisions concerning Task Force membership and reporting requirements. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning public aid.

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

Section 5. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by adding Section 12-4.45 as follows:

(305 ILCS 5/12-4.45 new)

Sec. 12-4.45. Workforce Preparation Task Force.

(a) The Workforce Preparation Task Force is created. Membership in the Task Force shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following members:

(1) One member appointed by the President of the Senate.

(2) One member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

(3) One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(4) One member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(5) One member appointed by the Governor.

(6) One member appointed by the Illinois Community College Board.

(7) One member appointed by the Illinois State Board of Education.

(8) The Director of the Department of Employment Security or his or her designee.

(9) The Secretary of the Department of Human Services or his or her designee.

Members shall serve without compensation.

(b) The Task Force shall study and report to the General Assembly and the Governor on ways that promote the economic self-sufficiency of individuals who receive benefits under the State's General Assistance program, with the underlying intention to reduce the overall number of individuals receiving benefits under the program through increased levels of sustainable employment skills.

In its final report, the Task Force shall outline a 5-year plan that utilizes existing State resources and programs to reduce the overall number of general assistance recipients by one-third through enrollment in and successful completion of appropriate educational or job-training programs that can directly lead to sustainable employment opportunities in the job market. Appropriate educational or job-training programs include, but are not limited to, the following: GED certificates, Associate's degrees from a community or business college, and vocational or apprenticeship certificates from accredited organizations.

The Task Force shall specifically address the needs of the following groups of individuals in the development of its 5-year plan: at-risk high school students or drop-outs, individuals who do not enroll in a traditional 2-year or 4-year post-secondary academic program, and teenage mothers. The Task Force shall develop appropriate timeframes for completion of educational or job-training programs and link the discontinuation of a recipient's benefits upon such completion and transition into the job market.

(c) The Task Force shall meet on a periodic basis to examine and compile data regarding educational and job-training programs and resources as well as levels of benefits that recipients receive from the State's General Assistance program.

(d) The Department of Human Services shall provide administrative support to the Task Force and shall maintain a database of information that tracks the overall trends of the 5-year plan and provide quarterly updates to the public in both electronic and written formats.

(e) The Task Force shall document its findings and recommendations in a 5-year plan to the General Assembly and the Governor by January 1, 2013.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.