Illinois House Bill 4296

---

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: Introduced on January 6 2026 - 25% progression, died in committee
Action: 2026-03-27 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
Pending: House Rules Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [HTML]

Creates the Workforce Pipeline Act. Provides that beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, each institution (defined as a public high school, school district, or nonpublic high school recognized by the State Board of Education) shall provide access to at least one Pipeline Program in a high-need occupation. Requires the State Board, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, to develop a model memorandum of understanding for an institution and a local workforce partner. Requires an employer participating in a Pipeline Program to maintain workers' compensation and general liability insurance. Provides that participation in a Pipeline Program does not create civil liability for an employer beyond the employer's statutory duties, as long as the employer acts in good faith and complies with safety requirements. Provides that an institution's chief procurement office shall establish a bid preference, not to exceed 5%, for an employer participating in a Pipeline Program. Allows a student to participate in a Pipeline Program with parental consent if under the age of 18. Provides that an institution and a local workforce partner may establish articulation agreements for credit, credentials, or hours earned. Requires an employer to comply with all safety standards applicable to minors and a mentor or supervisor to comply with an institution's volunteer or contractor background-check procedures. Requires the State Board to submit a one-page summary on Pipeline Programs to the General Assembly. Provides that nothing in the Act may be construed as a mandate requiring an institution to incur additional expenditures or establish new programs. Allows the State Board and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to adopt any rules necessary to implement the Act. Repeals the Act on July 1, 2032. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

WORKFORCE PIPELINE ACT

Rep. Jed Davis [R]

Date	Chamber	Action
2026-03-27	House	Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
2026-03-04	House	Assigned to Education Policy Committee
2026-01-14	House	Referred to Rules Committee
2026-01-14	House	First Reading
2026-01-06	House	Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Jed Davis

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=4296&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=164795&SessionID=114
Text	https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus/FullText?LegDocId=206143&DocName=10400HB4296&DocNum=4296&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=164795&GAID=18&SessionID=114&SpecSess=&Session=