Bill Text: IL HB3634 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Amends the Department of Labor Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Labor shall establish a Preferred Worker Program to assist workers whose on-the-job injuries result in a disability that may be a substantial obstacle to employment by providing assistance to eligible injured workers. Provides that the Department shall award grants to eligible injured workers and employers of eligible injured workers to cover specified expenses relating to their employment. Provides that the Department may adopt any rules necessary to administer the program.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2023-03-10 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee [HB3634 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HB3634-Introduced.html

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103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB3634 Introduced , by Rep. Dave Vella SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
20 ILCS 1505/1505-225 new
Amends the Department of Labor Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Labor shall establish a Preferred Worker Program to assist workers whose on-the-job injuries result in a disability that may be a substantial obstacle to employment by providing assistance to eligible injured workers. Provides that the Department shall award grants to eligible injured workers and employers of eligible injured workers to cover specified expenses relating to their employment. Provides that the Department may adopt any rules necessary to administer the program.
LRB103 27278 SPS 53649 b
A BILL FOR
HB3634 LRB103 27278 SPS 53649 b
AN ACT concerning State government.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Department of Labor Law of the Civil
Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding Section
1505-225 as follows:
(20 ILCS 1505/1505-225 new)
Sec. 1505-225. Preferred Worker Program.
(a) As used in this Section, "eligible injured worker"
means an employee who sustained a compensable work injury in
this State, resulting in an inability to return to their
pre-injury position, and completed the vocational
rehabilitation process.
(b) The Department of Labor shall establish a Preferred
Worker Program to assist workers whose on-the-job injuries
result in a disability that may be a substantial obstacle to
employment by providing assistance to eligible injured
workers.
(c) The Department shall award grants to eligible injured
workers as follows:
(1) a grant, not to exceed $250, to purchase
appropriate clothing for interviews, uniforms, travel
expenses, or other items needed for employment;

HB3634 - 2 - LRB103 27278 SPS 53649 b
(2) a grant, not to exceed $2,000, to cover expenses
relating to testing for certification, licensure, or other
testing requirements for employment, including physical
examinations or membership fees required for employment;
(3) a grant, not to exceed $2,500, to purchase tools,
equipment, or starter sets required for employment;
(4) a grant, in an amount to be determined by the
Department, to cover moving expenses if the eligible
injured workers has relocated for work and the distance of
the eligible injured worker's new residence is greater
than or equal than 35 miles from the eligible injured
worker's previous residence; and
(5) a grant, in an amount to be determined by the
Department, to pay for lodging, meals, and travel expenses
related to job training.
(d) The Department shall award grants to the employers of
eligible injured workers as follows:
(1) a grant, in an amount to be determined by the
Department, to perform an on-site job analysis or
ergonomic assessment related to an eligible injured
worker; and
(2) a grant, in an amount to be determined by the
Department, to cover costs for modifications necessary for
employment or retraining of an eligible injured worker.
(e) The Department may adopt any rules necessary to
administer the provisions of this Section.