Public Act 90-0457 of the 90th General Assembly
Public Act 90-0457
HB0447 Enrolled (corrected) LRB9001884WHmg
AN ACT to amend the Illinois Public Aid Code by changing
Sections 6-1.2 and 9A-9.
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
changing Sections 6-1.2 and 9A-9 as follows:
(305 ILCS 5/6-1.2) (from Ch. 23, par. 6-1.2)
Sec. 6-1.2. Need. Income available to the person, when
added to contributions in money, substance, or services from
other sources, including contributions from legally
responsible relatives, must be insufficient to equal the
grant amount established by Department regulation (or by
local governmental unit in units which do not receive State
funds) for such a person.
In determining income to be taken into account:
(1) The first $75 of earned income in income
assistance units comprised exclusively of one adult
person shall be disregarded, and for not more than 3
months in any 12 consecutive months that portion of
earned income beyond the first $75 that is the difference
between the standard of assistance and the grant amount,
shall be disregarded.
(2) For income assistance units not comprised
exclusively of one adult person, when authorized by rules
and regulations of the Illinois Department, a portion of
earned income, not to exceed the first $25 a month plus
50% of the next $75, may be disregarded for the purpose
of stimulating and aiding rehabilitative effort and
self-support activity.
"Earned income" means money earned in self-employment or
wages, salary, or commission for personal services performed
as an employee. The eligibility of any applicant for or
recipient of public aid under this Article is not affected by
the payment of any grant under the "Senior Citizens and
Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical
Assistance Act" or any refund or payment of the federal
Earned Income Tax Credit.
If federal laws or regulations applicable to persons
receiving assistance under Articles III or IV of this Code
permit or require the exemption of earned income in excess of
the foregoing limitation on earned income exemptions or
permit or require the exemption of certain other income and
resources, the Illinois Department, may, by rule, authorize
comparable exemptions in determining need under this Section.
(Source: P.A. 87-435.)
(305 ILCS 5/9A-9) (from Ch. 23, par. 9A-9)
Sec. 9A-9. Program Components. The Department shall
establish education, training and placement components by
rule. Not all of the same components need be provided in
each county in the State. Such components may include the
following:
(a) Education (Below post secondary). Participants who
are determined ready to participate but in need of education
are referred to the education component. In this component,
the individual receives information, referral, counseling
services and support services to increase the individual's
employment potential. Participants may be referred to
testing, counseling and education resources. Educational
activities will include basic and remedial education; English
proficiency classes; high school or its equivalency (e.g.,
GED) or alternative education at the secondary level; and
with any educational program, structured study time to
enhance successful participation.
(b) Job Skills Training (Vocational). Job Skills
Training is designed to increase the individual's ability to
obtain and maintain employment. Job Skills Training
activities will include vocational skill classes designed to
increase a participant's ability to obtain and maintain
employment. Job Skills Training may include certificate
programs.
(c) Job Readiness. The job readiness component is
designed to enhance the quality of the individual's level of
participation in the world of work while learning the
necessary essentials to obtain and maintain employment. This
component helps individuals gain the necessary job finding
skills to help them find and retain employment that will lead
to economic independence.
(d) Job Search. Job Search may be conducted
individually or in groups. Job Search includes the provision
of counseling, job seeking skills training and information
dissemination. Group job search may include training in a
group session. Assignment to job search cannot be in excess
of 8 weeks (or its equivalent) in any period of 12
consecutive months.
(e) Work Experience. Near job ready participants who
have not found employment and who need orientation to work,
work experience or training, in order to prevent
deterioration of or to enhance existing skills are referred
to the Work Experience component. Work Experience assignments
are with not-for-profit and public agencies in the State.
Not-for-profit and public agencies shall not use Work
Experience participants to displace regular employees. Work
Experience programs shall be limited to those which serve a
useful public purpose in fields such as health, social
service, environmental protection, education, urban and rural
development and redevelopment, welfare, recreation, public
facilities, public safety, and child care. Participants in
Work Experience may perform work in the public interest
(which otherwise meets the requirements of this Section) for
a federal office or agency with its consent, and
notwithstanding the provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1342, or any
other provision of law, such agency may accept such services,
but participants shall not be considered federal employees
for any purpose. A participant shall be reassessed at the end
of assignment to Work Experience. The participant may be
reassigned to Work Experience or assigned to another
component, based on the reassessment. A participant shall
not be assigned to Work Experience for more than a total of 6
months in any 12 consecutive month period. This 6 month
limitation does not apply to parents in families eligible for
assistance under Article IV due to unemployment of the
principal wage earner.
(f) On the Job Training. In On the Job Training, a
participant is hired by a private or public employer and
while engaged in productive work receives training that
provides knowledge or skills essential to full and adequate
performance of the job.
(g) Work Supplementation. In work supplementation, the
Department pays a wage subsidy to an employer who hires a
participant. The cash grant which a participant would receive
if not employed is diverted and the diverted cash grant is
used to pay the wage subsidy.
(h) Post Secondary Education. Individuals may be
referred to post secondary education programs. Post secondary
education must be administered by an educational institution
accredited under requirements of State law.
(i) Self Initiated Education. Participants who are
attending an institution of higher education or a vocational
or technical program at the time they enter the Project
Chance program and who are in good standing, may continue to
attend if the educational program is approved by the
Department.
(j) Job Development and Placement. Department staff
shall develop through contacts with public and private
employers unsubsidized job openings for participants. Job
interviews will be secured for clients by the marketing of
participants for specific job openings. Job ready individuals
may be assigned to Job Development and Placement.
(k) Job Retention. The job retention component is
designed to assist participants in retaining employment.
Initial employment expenses are provided. The individual's
support service needs are assessed and the individual
receives counseling regarding job retention skills.
Counseling may continue up to 3 months after employment.
(l) Community Service. A participant whose youngest
child is 13 years of age or older may be required to perform
at least 20 hours of community service per week as a
condition of eligibility for aid under Article IV. The
Illinois Department shall give priority to community service
placements in public schools, where participants can serve as
hall and lunchroom monitors, assist teachers, and perform
other appropriate services.
(Source: P.A. 87-860; 88-124.)