Illinois Statutes Chapter 20. Executive Branch § 605/605-812. Employment opportunities grant program

(a) The Department shall administer a grant program to expand employment opportunities for targeted populations in eligible grant areas in Illinois. The goal of the program shall be to expand the number of people in targeted populations who enter and complete building trades apprenticeship programs and achieve journey-level status within a building trades union.

(b) All successful grant applicants shall be required to partner with a joint labor and management-sponsored apprenticeship program or programs. All successful grant applicants must provide participating individuals with paid employment opportunities while participating in the program.

(c) The Department shall establish criteria for (i) prioritizing grant requests from eligible grant applicants and (ii) determining what project activities qualify for funding. Entities eligible to apply for grant funding shall include: community-based organizations and educational institutions. These eligible entities shall have the following capabilities: a demonstrated expertise in serving targeted populations; knowledge of the construction industry; demonstrated success in placing clients in employment; previous experience offering employment services for targeted populations; and expertise in preparing workers for employment in the building trades.

(d) The Department shall determine the targeted populations to be served by the program. The Department shall establish geographic boundaries of eligible grant areas.

(e) The Department shall require all successful grant applicants to report quarterly on implementation of planned activities and success in reaching key milestones. Successful grant applicants must also maintain and report individual-level information on types of services received and resulting outcomes, including placement into specific apprenticeship programs.

(f) The Department shall report to the Governor and the General Assembly on December 31, 2007 and on December 31 of each year thereafter as long as grant-funded activities are provided on the activities undertaken by all successful grant applicants. The report shall include an evaluation of those activities and their success in assisting participating individuals to enter and complete building trades apprenticeship programs and achieve journey-level status.