Bill > HB3541

This bill establishes new requirements for the Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program, focusing on targeted recruitment and placement of program participants from economically and environmentally challenged areas. Specifically, the bill mandates that Climate Works Hubs receiving funding from the Energy Transition Assistance Fund must dedicate at least one-third of their program placements to applicants from areas that are both an R3 Area (a designation from the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act) and an environmental justice community. Additionally, they must dedicate at least two-thirds of placements to applicants from areas that are either an R3 Area or an environmental justice community. When selecting participants, the hubs must prioritize individuals facing barriers to employment, such as low educational attainment, involvement with the criminal justice system, or language barriers, as well as graduates or current participants in the foster care system. The bill also amends the Illinois Works Jobs Program Act to allow contractors and subcontractors to earn bid credits for employing apprentices who have completed the Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program, the Highway Construction Careers Training Program, or similar initiatives, thereby providing economic incentives for supporting these workforce development programs.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business and Industry

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3541&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104