Bill > SB1691

This bill amends the Illinois Works Jobs Program Act to expand and refine the state's workforce development and apprenticeship initiatives. The bill broadens the definition of "community-based organization" to include high school-based programs, and modifies how funding from the Illinois Works Fund is allocated by categorizing it according to Illinois Department of Transportation regions. It adds a new member to the Illinois Works Review Panel who will represent community-based organizations focused on high school workforce programs. The bill also clarifies the definition of "apprentice" for bid credit eligibility, creating a pathway for participants who complete the Illinois Works Preapprenticeship Program to potentially qualify for future apprenticeship programs. Additionally, the bill provides flexibility for community-based organizations to offer preapprenticeship programming that can include participants under 18, taking into account school-year constraints. The overall goal remains supporting workforce development, particularly for underrepresented populations, by creating training pipelines and economic incentives for contractors who employ apprentices from these programs.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1691&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104