102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB4201

 

Introduced 1/5/2022, by Rep. Maurice A. West, II

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
110 ILCS 305/160 new
110 ILCS 520/135 new
110 ILCS 660/5-245 new
110 ILCS 665/10-245 new
110 ILCS 670/15-245 new
110 ILCS 675/20-250 new
110 ILCS 680/25-245 new
110 ILCS 685/30-255 new
110 ILCS 690/35-250 new
110 ILCS 805/3-29.20 new

    Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities and community colleges in Illinois. Requires the governing board of each public university and community college district to employ a benefits navigator for the purpose of helping students at the institution of higher education apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs; defines "benefits program". Requires the governing board (i) to provide training for the benefits navigator, with training guidance and support provided by the Department of Human Services, (ii) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators, and (iii) develop an internal process to enable students to provide feedback and recommendations on how the institution can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs. Sets forth the duties of a benefits navigator. Effective January 1, 2023.


LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB4201LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b

1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The University of Illinois Act is amended by
5adding Section 160 as follows:
 
6    (110 ILCS 305/160 new)
7    Sec. 160. Benefits navigator.
8    (a) In this Section:
9    "Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed
10by the Board of Trustees for the purpose of helping students at
11the University apply for and receive assistance from benefits
12programs.
13    "Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local
14program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on
15the basis of need.
16    (b) The Board of Trustees shall:
17        (1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed
18    understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits
19    programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits
20    programs;
21        (2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with
22    training guidance and support provided by the Department
23    of Human Services to the University; and

 

 

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1        (3) participate in a statewide consortium with other
2    public institutions of higher education for the purpose of
3    facilitating communication between benefits navigators at
4    different institutions and developing best practices for
5    benefits navigators.
6    (c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section
7shall:
8        (1) assist students at the University in determining
9    eligibility for benefits programs and applying for
10    assistance under benefits programs;
11        (2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of
12    subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits
13    navigators at other public institutions of higher
14    education for the purpose of collecting data and
15    developing best practices for helping students apply for
16    and receive assistance from benefits programs; and
17        (3) coordinate and provide culturally specific
18    resources, including resources for non-English speakers,
19    to support students at the University.
20    (d) The Board of Trustees, in consultation with the
21benefits navigator employed under this Section, shall develop
22an internal process to enable students at the University to
23provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can
24better assist students in determining eligibility for benefits
25programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs.
 

 

 

HB4201- 3 -LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b

1    Section 10. The Southern Illinois University Management
2Act is amended by adding Section 135 as follows:
 
3    (110 ILCS 520/135 new)
4    Sec. 135. Benefits navigator.
5    (a) In this Section:
6    "Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed
7by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the
8University apply for and receive assistance from benefits
9programs.
10    "Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local
11program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on
12the basis of need.
13    (b) The Board shall:
14        (1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed
15    understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits
16    programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits
17    programs;
18        (2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with
19    training guidance and support provided by the Department
20    of Human Services to the University; and
21        (3) participate in a statewide consortium with other
22    public institutions of higher education for the purpose of
23    facilitating communication between benefits navigators at
24    different institutions and developing best practices for
25    benefits navigators.

 

 

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1    (c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section
2shall:
3        (1) assist students at the University in determining
4    eligibility for benefits programs and applying for
5    assistance under benefits programs;
6        (2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of
7    subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits
8    navigators at other public institutions of higher
9    education for the purpose of collecting data and
10    developing best practices for helping students apply for
11    and receive assistance from benefits programs; and
12        (3) coordinate and provide culturally specific
13    resources, including resources for non-English speakers,
14    to support students at the University.
15    (d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator
16employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process
17to enable students at the University to provide feedback and
18recommendations on how the University can better assist
19students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and
20applying for assistance under benefits programs.
 
21    Section 15. The Chicago State University Law is amended by
22adding Section 5-245 as follows:
 
23    (110 ILCS 660/5-245 new)
24    Sec. 5-245. Benefits navigator.

 

 

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1    (a) In this Section:
2    "Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed
3by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the
4University apply for and receive assistance from benefits
5programs.
6    "Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local
7program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on
8the basis of need.
9    (b) The Board shall:
10        (1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed
11    understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits
12    programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits
13    programs;
14        (2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with
15    training guidance and support provided by the Department
16    of Human Services to the University; and
17        (3) participate in a statewide consortium with other
18    public institutions of higher education for the purpose of
19    facilitating communication between benefits navigators at
20    different institutions and developing best practices for
21    benefits navigators.
22    (c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section
23shall:
24        (1) assist students at the University in determining
25    eligibility for benefits programs and applying for
26    assistance under benefits programs;

 

 

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1        (2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of
2    subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits
3    navigators at other public institutions of higher
4    education for the purpose of collecting data and
5    developing best practices for helping students apply for
6    and receive assistance from benefits programs; and
7        (3) coordinate and provide culturally specific
8    resources, including resources for non-English speakers,
9    to support students at the University.
10    (d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator
11employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process
12to enable students at the University to provide feedback and
13recommendations on how the University can better assist
14students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and
15applying for assistance under benefits programs.
 
16    Section 20. The Eastern Illinois University Law is amended
17by adding Section 10-245 as follows:
 
18    (110 ILCS 665/10-245 new)
19    Sec. 10-245. Benefits navigator.
20    (a) In this Section:
21    "Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed
22by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the
23University apply for and receive assistance from benefits
24programs.

 

 

HB4201- 7 -LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b

1    "Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local
2program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on
3the basis of need.
4    (b) The Board shall:
5        (1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed
6    understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits
7    programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits
8    programs;
9        (2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with
10    training guidance and support provided by the Department
11    of Human Services to the University; and
12        (3) participate in a statewide consortium with other
13    public institutions of higher education for the purpose of
14    facilitating communication between benefits navigators at
15    different institutions and developing best practices for
16    benefits navigators.
17    (c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section
18shall:
19        (1) assist students at the University in determining
20    eligibility for benefits programs and applying for
21    assistance under benefits programs;
22        (2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of
23    subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits
24    navigators at other public institutions of higher
25    education for the purpose of collecting data and
26    developing best practices for helping students apply for

 

 

HB4201- 8 -LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b

1    and receive assistance from benefits programs; and
2        (3) coordinate and provide culturally specific
3    resources, including resources for non-English speakers,
4    to support students at the University.
5    (d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator
6employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process
7to enable students at the University to provide feedback and
8recommendations on how the University can better assist
9students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and
10applying for assistance under benefits programs.
 
11    Section 25. The Governors State University Law is amended
12by adding Section 15-245 as follows:
 
13    (110 ILCS 670/15-245 new)
14    Sec. 15-245. Benefits navigator.
15    (a) In this Section:
16    "Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed
17by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the
18University apply for and receive assistance from benefits
19programs.
20    "Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local
21program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on
22the basis of need.
23    (b) The Board shall:
24        (1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed

 

 

HB4201- 9 -LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b

1    understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits
2    programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits
3    programs;
4        (2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with
5    training guidance and support provided by the Department
6    of Human Services to the University; and
7        (3) participate in a statewide consortium with other
8    public institutions of higher education for the purpose of
9    facilitating communication between benefits navigators at
10    different institutions and developing best practices for
11    benefits navigators.
12    (c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section
13shall:
14        (1) assist students at the University in determining
15    eligibility for benefits programs and applying for
16    assistance under benefits programs;
17        (2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of
18    subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits
19    navigators at other public institutions of higher
20    education for the purpose of collecting data and
21    developing best practices for helping students apply for
22    and receive assistance from benefits programs; and
23        (3) coordinate and provide culturally specific
24    resources, including resources for non-English speakers,
25    to support students at the University.
26    (d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator

 

 

HB4201- 10 -LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b

1employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process
2to enable students at the University to provide feedback and
3recommendations on how the University can better assist
4students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and
5applying for assistance under benefits programs.
 
6    Section 30. The Illinois State University Law is amended
7by adding Section 20-250 as follows:
 
8    (110 ILCS 675/20-250 new)
9    Sec. 20-250. Benefits navigator.
10    (a) In this Section:
11    "Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed
12by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the
13University apply for and receive assistance from benefits
14programs.
15    "Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local
16program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on
17the basis of need.
18    (b) The Board shall:
19        (1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed
20    understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits
21    programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits
22    programs;
23        (2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with
24    training guidance and support provided by the Department

 

 

HB4201- 11 -LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b

1    of Human Services to the University; and
2        (3) participate in a statewide consortium with other
3    public institutions of higher education for the purpose of
4    facilitating communication between benefits navigators at
5    different institutions and developing best practices for
6    benefits navigators.
7    (c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section
8shall:
9        (1) assist students at the University in determining
10    eligibility for benefits programs and applying for
11    assistance under benefits programs;
12        (2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of
13    subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits
14    navigators at other public institutions of higher
15    education for the purpose of collecting data and
16    developing best practices for helping students apply for
17    and receive assistance from benefits programs; and
18        (3) coordinate and provide culturally specific
19    resources, including resources for non-English speakers,
20    to support students at the University.
21    (d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator
22employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process
23to enable students at the University to provide feedback and
24recommendations on how the University can better assist
25students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and
26applying for assistance under benefits programs.
 

 

 

HB4201- 12 -LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b

1    Section 35. The Northeastern Illinois University Law is
2amended by adding Section 25-245 as follows:
 
3    (110 ILCS 680/25-245 new)
4    Sec. 25-245. Benefits navigator.
5    (a) In this Section:
6    "Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed
7by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the
8University apply for and receive assistance from benefits
9programs.
10    "Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local
11program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on
12the basis of need.
13    (b) The Board shall:
14        (1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed
15    understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits
16    programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits
17    programs;
18        (2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with
19    training guidance and support provided by the Department
20    of Human Services to the University; and
21        (3) participate in a statewide consortium with other
22    public institutions of higher education for the purpose of
23    facilitating communication between benefits navigators at
24    different institutions and developing best practices for

 

 

HB4201- 13 -LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b

1    benefits navigators.
2    (c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section
3shall:
4        (1) assist students at the University in determining
5    eligibility for benefits programs and applying for
6    assistance under benefits programs;
7        (2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of
8    subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits
9    navigators at other public institutions of higher
10    education for the purpose of collecting data and
11    developing best practices for helping students apply for
12    and receive assistance from benefits programs; and
13        (3) coordinate and provide culturally specific
14    resources, including resources for non-English speakers,
15    to support students at the University.
16    (d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator
17employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process
18to enable students at the University to provide feedback and
19recommendations on how the University can better assist
20students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and
21applying for assistance under benefits programs.
 
22    Section 40. The Northern Illinois University Law is
23amended by adding Section 30-255 as follows:
 
24    (110 ILCS 685/30-255 new)

 

 

HB4201- 14 -LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b

1    Sec. 30-255. Benefits navigator.
2    (a) In this Section:
3    "Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed
4by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the
5University apply for and receive assistance from benefits
6programs.
7    "Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local
8program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on
9the basis of need.
10    (b) The Board shall:
11        (1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed
12    understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits
13    programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits
14    programs;
15        (2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with
16    training guidance and support provided by the Department
17    of Human Services to the University; and
18        (3) participate in a statewide consortium with other
19    public institutions of higher education for the purpose of
20    facilitating communication between benefits navigators at
21    different institutions and developing best practices for
22    benefits navigators.
23    (c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section
24shall:
25        (1) assist students at the University in determining
26    eligibility for benefits programs and applying for

 

 

HB4201- 15 -LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b

1    assistance under benefits programs;
2        (2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of
3    subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits
4    navigators at other public institutions of higher
5    education for the purpose of collecting data and
6    developing best practices for helping students apply for
7    and receive assistance from benefits programs; and
8        (3) coordinate and provide culturally specific
9    resources, including resources for non-English speakers,
10    to support students at the University.
11    (d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator
12employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process
13to enable students at the University to provide feedback and
14recommendations on how the University can better assist
15students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and
16applying for assistance under benefits programs.
 
17    Section 45. The Western Illinois University Law is amended
18by adding Section 35-250 as follows:
 
19    (110 ILCS 690/35-250 new)
20    Sec. 35-250. Benefits navigator.
21    (a) In this Section:
22    "Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed
23by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the
24University apply for and receive assistance from benefits

 

 

HB4201- 16 -LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b

1programs.
2    "Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local
3program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on
4the basis of need.
5    (b) The Board shall:
6        (1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed
7    understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits
8    programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits
9    programs;
10        (2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with
11    training guidance and support provided by the Department
12    of Human Services to the University; and
13        (3) participate in a statewide consortium with other
14    public institutions of higher education for the purpose of
15    facilitating communication between benefits navigators at
16    different institutions and developing best practices for
17    benefits navigators.
18    (c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section
19shall:
20        (1) assist students at the University in determining
21    eligibility for benefits programs and applying for
22    assistance under benefits programs;
23        (2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of
24    subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits
25    navigators at other public institutions of higher
26    education for the purpose of collecting data and

 

 

HB4201- 17 -LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b

1    developing best practices for helping students apply for
2    and receive assistance from benefits programs; and
3        (3) coordinate and provide culturally specific
4    resources, including resources for non-English speakers,
5    to support students at the University.
6    (d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator
7employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process
8to enable students at the University to provide feedback and
9recommendations on how the University can better assist
10students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and
11applying for assistance under benefits programs.
 
12    Section 50. The Public Community College Act is amended by
13adding Section 3-29.20 as follows:
 
14    (110 ILCS 805/3-29.20 new)
15    Sec. 3-29.20. Benefits navigator.
16    (a) In this Section:
17    "Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed
18by the board for the purpose of helping students at the
19community college apply for and receive assistance from
20benefits programs.
21    "Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local
22program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on
23the basis of need.
24    (b) The board shall:

 

 

HB4201- 18 -LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b

1        (1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed
2    understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits
3    programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits
4    programs;
5        (2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with
6    training guidance and support provided by the Department
7    of Human Services to the community college district; and
8        (3) participate in a statewide consortium with other
9    public institutions of higher education for the purpose of
10    facilitating communication between benefits navigators at
11    different institutions and developing best practices for
12    benefits navigators.
13    (c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section
14shall:
15        (1) assist students at the community college in
16    determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying
17    for assistance under benefits programs;
18        (2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of
19    subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits
20    navigators at other public institutions of higher
21    education for the purpose of collecting data and
22    developing best practices for helping students apply for
23    and receive assistance from benefits programs; and
24        (3) coordinate and provide culturally specific
25    resources, including resources for non-English speakers,
26    to support students at the community college.

 

 

HB4201- 19 -LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b

1    (d) The board, in consultation with the benefits navigator
2employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process
3to enable students at the community college to provide
4feedback and recommendations on how the community college
5district can better assist students in determining eligibility
6for benefits programs and applying for assistance under
7benefits programs.
 
8    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January
91, 2023.