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2005 Illinois 305 ILCS 5/      Illinois Public Aid Code. Article IXa - Education, Training And Employment Program For Recipients Under Article Iv


      (305 ILCS 5/Art. IXA heading)
ARTICLE IXA. EDUCATION, TRAINING AND
EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM FOR RECIPIENTS
UNDER ARTICLE IV

    (305 ILCS 5/9A‑1) (from Ch. 23, par. 9A‑1)
    Sec. 9A‑1. Declaration of Purpose. It is the purpose of this Article to provide recipients of public aid under Article IV the education, training and employment programs that will help them avoid long‑term welfare dependence.
(Source: P.A. 86‑1184; 86‑1381.)

    (305 ILCS 5/9A‑2) (from Ch. 23, par. 9A‑2)
    Sec. 9A‑2. As used in this Article only, "recipient" means only those persons receiving aid under Article IV.
(Source: P.A. 86‑1184; 86‑1381.)

    (305 ILCS 5/9A‑3)(from Ch. 23, par. 9A‑3)
    Sec. 9A‑3. Establishment of Program and Level of Services.
    (a) The Illinois Department shall establish and maintain a program to provide recipients with services consistent with the purposes and provisions of this Article. The program offered in different counties of the State may vary depending on the resources available to the State to provide a program under this Article, and no program may be offered in some counties, depending on the resources available. Services may be provided directly by the Illinois Department or through contract. References to the Illinois Department or staff of the Illinois Department shall include contractors when the Illinois Department has entered into contracts for these purposes. The Illinois Department shall provide each recipient who participates with such services available under the program as are necessary to achieve his employability plan as specified in the plan.
    (b) The Illinois Department, in operating the program, shall cooperate with public and private education and vocational training or retraining agencies or facilities, the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Community College Board, the Departments of Employment Security and Commerce and Economic Opportunity or other sponsoring organizations funded under the federal Workforce Investment Act and other public or licensed private employment agencies.
(Source: P.A. 93‑598, eff. 8‑26‑03; 94‑793, eff. 5‑19‑06.)

    (305 ILCS 5/9A‑4)(from Ch. 23, par. 9A‑4)
    Sec. 9A‑4. Participation.
    (a) Except for those exempted under subsection (b) below, and to the extent resources permit, the Illinois Department as a condition of eligibility for public aid, may, as provided by rule, require all recipients to participate in an education, training, and employment program, which shall include accepting suitable employment and refraining from terminating employment or reducing earnings without good cause.
    (b) Recipients shall be exempt from the requirement of participation in the education, training, and employment program in the following circumstances:
        (1) The recipient is a person over age 60; or
        (2) The recipient is a person with a child under age
    
one.
    Recipients are entitled to request a reasonable
    
modification to the requirement of participation in the education, training and employment program in order to accommodate a qualified individual with a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Requests for a reasonable modification shall be evaluated on a case‑by‑case functional basis by designated staff based on Department rule. All such requests shall be monitored as part of the agency's quality assurance process or processes to attest to the expediency with which such requests are addressed. Implementation of the changes made to this Section by this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly is subject to appropriation.
(Source: P.A. 94‑629, eff. 1‑1‑06.)

    (305 ILCS 5/9A‑5) (from Ch. 23, par. 9A‑5)
    Sec. 9A‑5. Exempt recipients.
    (a) Exempt recipients under Section 9A‑4 may volunteer to participate.
    (b) Services will be offered to exempt and non‑exempt individuals who wish to volunteer to participate only to the extent resources permit.
    (c) Exempt and non‑exempt individuals who volunteer to participate become program participants upon completion of the initial assessment, development of the employability plan, and assignment to a component. An exempt individual who volunteers to participate may not be sanctioned for not meeting program requirements.
(Source: P.A. 92‑111, eff. 1‑1‑02; 93‑598, eff. 8‑26‑03.)

    (305 ILCS 5/9A‑6) (from Ch. 23, par. 9A‑6)
    Sec. 9A‑6. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 86‑1475. Repealed by P.A. 90‑17, eff. 7‑1‑97.)

    (305 ILCS 5/9A‑7) (from Ch. 23, par. 9A‑7)
    Sec. 9A‑7. Good Cause and Pre‑Sanction Process.
     The Department shall establish by rule what constitutes good cause for failure to participate in education, training and employment programs, failure to accept suitable employment or terminating employment or reducing earnings.
    The Department shall establish, by rule, a pre‑sanction process to assist in resolving disputes over proposed sanctions and in determining if good cause exists. Good cause shall include, but not be limited to:
        (1) temporary illness for its duration;
        (2) court required appearance or temporary
    
incarceration;
        (3) (blank);
        (4) death in the family;
        (5) (blank);
        (6) (blank);
        (7) (blank);
        (8) (blank);
        (9) extreme inclement weather;
        (10) (blank);
        (11) lack of any support service even though the
    
necessary service is not specifically provided under the Department program, to the extent the lack of the needed service presents a significant barrier to participation;
        (12) if an individual is engaged in employment or
    
training or both that is consistent with the employment related goals of the program, if such employment and training is later approved by Department staff;
        (13) (blank);
        (14) failure of Department staff to correctly
    
forward the information to other Department staff;
        (15) failure of the participant to cooperate because
    
of attendance at a test or a mandatory class or function at an educational program (including college), when an education or training program is officially approved by the Department;
        (16) failure of the participant due to his or her
    
illiteracy;
        (17) failure of the participant because it is
    
determined that he or she should be in a different activity;
        (18) non‑receipt by the participant of a notice
    
advising him or her of a participation requirement. If the non‑receipt of mail occurs frequently, the Department shall explore an alternative means of providing notices of participation requests to participants;
        (19) (blank);
        (20) non‑comprehension of English, either written or
    
oral or both;
        (21) (blank);
        (22) (blank);
        (23) child care (or day care for an incapacitated
    
individual living in the same home as a dependent child) is necessary for the participation or employment and such care is not available for a child under age 13;
        (24) failure to participate in an activity due to a
    
scheduled job interview, medical appointment for the participant or a household member, or school appointment;
        (25) the individual is homeless. Homeless
    
individuals (including the family) have no current residence and no expectation of acquiring one in the next 30 days. This includes individuals residing in overnight and transitional (temporary) shelters. This does not include individuals who are sharing a residence with friends or relatives on a continuing basis;
        (26) circumstances beyond the control of the
    
participant which prevent the participant from completing program requirements; or
        (27) (blank).
    (b) (Blank).
    (c) (1) The Department shall establish a reconciliation
    
procedure to assist in resolving disputes related to any aspect of participation, including exemptions, good cause, sanctions or proposed sanctions, supportive services, assessments, responsibility and service plans, assignment to activities, suitability of employment, or refusals of offers of employment. Through the reconciliation process the Department shall have a mechanism to identify good cause, ensure that the client is aware of the issue, and enable the client to perform required activities without facing sanction.
        (2) A participant may request reconciliation and
    
receive notice in writing of a meeting. At least one face‑to‑face meeting may be scheduled to resolve misunderstandings or disagreements related to program participation and situations which may lead to a potential sanction. The meeting will address the underlying reason for the dispute and plan a resolution to enable the individual to participate in TANF employment and work activity requirements.
        (2.5) If the individual fails to appear at the
    
reconciliation meeting without good cause, the reconciliation is unsuccessful and a sanction shall be imposed.
        (3) The reconciliation process shall continue after
    
it is determined that the individual did not have good cause for non‑cooperation. Any necessary demonstration of cooperation on the part of the participant will be part of the reconciliation process. Failure to demonstrate cooperation will result in immediate sanction.
        (4) For the first instance of non‑cooperation, if
    
the client reaches agreement to cooperate, the client shall be allowed 30 days to demonstrate cooperation before any sanction activity may be imposed. In any subsequent instances of non‑cooperation, the client shall be provided the opportunity to show good cause or remedy the situation by immediately complying with the requirement.
        (5) The Department shall document in the case record
    
the proceedings of the reconciliation and provide the client in writing with a reconciliation agreement.
        (6) If reconciliation resolves the dispute, no
    
sanction shall be imposed. If the client fails to comply with the reconciliation agreement, the Department shall then immediately impose the original sanction. If the dispute cannot be resolved during reconciliation, a sanction shall not be imposed until the reconciliation process is complete.
(Source: P.A. 93‑598, eff. 8‑26‑03.)

    (305 ILCS 5/9A‑8) (from Ch. 23, par. 9A‑8)
    Sec. 9A‑8. Operation of Program.
    (a) At the time of application or redetermination of eligibility under Article IV, as determined by rule, the Illinois Department shall provide information in writing and orally regarding the education, training and employment program to all applicants and recipients. The information required shall be established by rule and shall include, but need not be limited to:
        (1) education (including literacy training),
    
employment and training opportunities available, the criteria for approval of those opportunities, and the right to request changes in the personal responsibility and services plan to include those opportunities;
        (1.1) a complete list of all activities that are
    
approvable activities, and the circumstances under which they are approvable, including work activities, substance abuse or mental health treatment, activities to escape and prevent domestic violence, caring for a medically impaired family member, and any other approvable activities, together with the right to and procedures for amending the responsibility and services plan to include these activities;
        (1.2) the rules concerning the lifetime limit on
    
eligibility, including the current status of the applicant or recipient in terms of the months of remaining eligibility, the criteria under which a month will not count towards the lifetime limit, and the criteria under which a recipient may receive benefits beyond the end of the lifetime limit;
        (2) supportive services including child care and the
    
rules regarding eligibility for and access to the child care assistance program, transportation, initial expenses of employment, job retention, books and fees, and any other supportive services;
        (3) the obligation of the Department to provide
    
supportive services;
        (4) the rights and responsibilities of participants,
    
including exemption, sanction, reconciliation, and good cause criteria and procedures, termination for non‑cooperation and reinstatement rules and procedures, and appeal and grievance procedures; and
        (5) the types and locations of child care services.
    (b) The Illinois Department shall notify the recipient in writing of the opportunity to volunteer to participate in the program.
    (c) (Blank).
    (d) As part of the personal plan for achieving employment and self‑sufficiency, the Department shall conduct an individualized assessment of the participant's employability. No participant may be assigned to any component of the education, training and employment activity prior to such assessment. The plan shall include collection of information on the individual's background, proficiencies, skills deficiencies, education level, work history, employment goals, interests, aptitudes, and employment preferences, as well as factors affecting employability or ability to meet participation requirements (e.g., health, physical or mental limitations, child care, family circumstances, domestic violence, substance abuse, and special needs of any child of the individual). As part of the plan, individuals and Department staff shall work together to identify any supportive service needs required to enable the client to participate and meet the objectives of his or her employability plan. The assessment may be conducted through various methods such as interviews, testing, counseling, and self‑assessment instruments. In the assessment process, the Department shall offer to include standard literacy testing and a determination of English language proficiency and shall provide it for those who accept the offer. Based on the assessment, the individual will be assigned to the appropriate activity. The decision will be based on a determination of the individual's level of preparation for employment as defined by rule.
    (e) Recipients determined to be exempt may volunteer to participate pursuant to Section 9A‑4 and must be assessed.
    (f) As part of the personal plan for achieving employment and self‑sufficiency under Section 4‑1, an employability plan for recipients shall be developed in consultation with the participant. The Department shall have final responsibility for approving the employability plan. The employability plan shall:
        (1) contain an employment goal of the participant;
        (2) describe the services to be provided by the
    
Department, including child care and other support services;
        (3) describe the activities, such as component
    
assignment, that will be undertaken by the participant to achieve the employment goal; and
        (4) describe any other needs of the family that
    
might be met by the Department.
    (g) The employability plan shall take into account:
        (1) available program resources;
        (2) the participant's support service needs;
        (3) the participant's skills level and aptitudes;
        (4) local employment opportunities; and
        (5) the preferences of the participant.
    (h) A reassessment shall be conducted to assess a participant's progress and to review the employability plan on the following occasions:
        (1) upon completion of an activity and before
    
assignment to an activity;
        (2) upon the request of the participant;
        (3) if the individual is not cooperating with the
    
requirements of the program; and
        (4) if the individual has failed to make
    
satisfactory progress in an education or training program.
    Based on the reassessment, the Department may revise the employability plan of the participant.
(Source: P.A. 93‑598, eff. 8‑26‑03.)

    (305 ILCS 5/9A‑8.1)
    Sec. 9A‑8.1. Improvement of information to applicants and recipients. The Illinois Department shall annually review all procedures and written materials that it has in place for purposes of compliance with subsection (a) of Section 9A‑8 and Section 11‑20.1 requiring the Illinois Department to provide full and timely information to applicants and recipients of aid under Article IV of this Code about their opportunities, rights and responsibilities under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and related programs. As part of this annual review, the Illinois Department shall provide copies of all procedures and materials to the Family Self Sufficiency Advisory Council or any successor advisory body containing a similar number and assortment of advocates, providers, contractors, clients, and citizens. The Family Self Sufficiency Advisory Council or successor advisory body shall review the existing procedures and materials in light of program rules, recent changes in the law or rules, and experience in the field, and it shall suggest changes to the Illinois Department. The Illinois Department shall produce new or revised procedures and materials, or ratify the existing ones, for use beginning each October 1. If the Illinois Department rejects changes suggested by the Family Self Sufficiency Advisory Council, it shall explain the reasons in a written response.
(Source: P.A. 91‑331, eff. 7‑29‑99.)

    (305 ILCS 5/9A‑9) (from Ch. 23, par. 9A‑9)
    Sec. 9A‑9. Program Activities. The Department shall establish education, training and placement activities by rule. Not all of the same activities need be provided in each county in the State. Such activities may include the following:
    (a) Education (Below post secondary). In the Education (below post secondary) activity, the individual receives information, referral, counseling services and support services to increase the individual's employment potential. Participants may be referred to testing, counseling and education resources. Educational activities will include basic and remedial education; English proficiency classes; high school or its equivalency (e.g., GED) or alternative education at the secondary level; and with any educational program, structured study time to enhance successful participation. An individual's participation in an education program such as literacy, basic adult education, high school equivalency (GED), or a remedial program shall be limited to 2 years unless the individual also is working or participating in a work activity approved by the Illinois Department as defined by rule; this requirement does not apply, however, to students enrolled in high school.
    (b) Job Skills Training (Vocational). Job Skills Training is designed to increase the individual's ability to obtain and maintain employment. Job Skills Training activities will include vocational skill classes designed to increase a participant's ability to obtain and maintain employment. Job Skills Training may include certificate programs.
    (c) Job Readiness. The job readiness activity is designed to enhance the quality of the individual's level of participation in the world of work while learning the necessary essentials to obtain and maintain employment. This activity helps individuals gain the necessary job finding skills to help them find and retain employment that will lead to economic independence.
    (d) Job Search. Job Search may be conducted individually or in groups. Job Search includes the provision of counseling, job seeking skills training and information dissemination. Group job search may include training in a group session. Assignment exclusively to job search cannot be in excess of 8 consecutive weeks (or its equivalent) in any period of 12 consecutive months.
    (e) Work Experience. Work Experience assignments may be with private employers or not‑for‑profit or public agencies in the State. The Illinois Department shall provide workers' compensation coverage. Participants who are not members of a 2‑parent assistance unit may not be assigned more hours than their cash grant amount plus food stamps divided by the minimum wage. Private employers and not‑for‑profit and public agencies shall not use Work Experience participants to displace regular employees. Participants in Work Experience may perform work in the public interest (which otherwise meets the requirements of this Section) for a federal office or agency with its consent, and notwithstanding the provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1342, or any other provision of law, such agency may accept such services, but participants shall not be considered federal employees for any purpose. A participant shall be reassessed at the end of assignment to Work Experience. The participant may be reassigned to Work Experience or assigned to another activity, based on the reassessment.
    (f) On the Job Training. In On the Job Training, a participant is hired by a private or public employer and while engaged in productive work receives training that provides knowledge or skills essential to full and adequate performance of the job.
    (g) Work Supplementation. In work supplementation, the Department pays a wage subsidy to an employer who hires a participant. The cash grant which a participant would receive if not employed is diverted and the diverted cash grant is used to pay the wage subsidy.
    (h) Post Secondary Education. Post secondary education must be administered by an educational institution accredited under requirements of State law.
    (i) Self Initiated Education. Participants who are attending an institution of higher education or a vocational or technical program of their own choosing and who are in good standing, may continue to attend and receive supportive services only if the educational program is approved by the Department, and is in conformity with the participant's personal plan for achieving employment and self‑sufficiency and the participant is employed part‑time, as defined by the Illinois Department by rule.
    (j) Job Development and Placement. Department staff shall develop through contacts with public and private employers unsubsidized job openings for participants. Job interviews will be secured for clients by the marketing of participants for specific job openings. Job ready individuals may be assigned to Job Development and Placement.
    (k) Job Retention. The job retention component is designed to assist participants in retaining employment. Initial employment expenses and job retention services are provided. The individual's support service needs are assessed and the individual receives counseling regarding job retention skills.
    (l) (Blank).
    (l‑5) Transitional Jobs. These programs provide temporary wage‑paying work combined with case management and other social services designed to address employment barriers. The wage‑paying work is treated as regular employment for all purposes under this Code, and the additional activities, as determined by the Transitional Jobs provider, shall be countable work activities. The program must comply with the anti‑displacement provisions of this Code governing the Work Experience program.
    (m) Pay‑after‑performance Program. A parent may be required to participate in a pay‑after‑performance program in which the parent must work a specified number of hours to earn the grant. The program shall comply with provisions of this Code governing work experience programs.
    (n) Community Service. Community service includes unpaid work that the client performs in his or her community, such as for a school, church, government agency, or nonprofit organization.
(Source: P.A. 93‑598, eff. 8‑26‑03.)

    (305 ILCS 5/9A‑9.5)
    Sec. 9A‑9.5. Health care advocates; committee. The Department of Human Services and the Department of Public Aid shall jointly establish an interagency committee to do the following:
        (1) Assist the departments in making recommendations
    
on incorporating health care advocates into education, training, and placement programs under this Article. The advocates should be individuals who are knowledgeable about various types of health insurance programs.
        (2) Develop more outreach and educational materials
    
to help TANF families make informed choices concerning health insurance and health care. The materials should target families that are transitioning from receipt of public aid to employment.
        (3) Develop methods to simplify the process of
    
applying for medical assistance under Article V.
(Source: P.A. 93‑150, eff. 7‑10‑03.)

    (305 ILCS 5/9A‑10) (from Ch. 23, par. 9A‑10)
    Sec. 9A‑10. Support Services.
    (a) The Illinois Department shall provide or pay for child care and other support services, if otherwise unavailable, to enable recipients to participate in or prepare for education, training and employment programs authorized under this Article. The Illinois Department shall provide and pay for such support services in accordance with procedures, standards and rates established by rule.
    (b) Support services may include:
        (1) transportation;
        (2) child care;
        (3) job search allowance;
        (4) initial employment expenses;
        (5) required books, fees, supplies; and
        (6) required physical examinations and medical
    
services.
    (c) Participation shall not be required if support services are needed for effective participation but unavailable from the Department or some other reasonably available source. Support services shall be made available to the participant at no cost.
(Source: P.A. 86‑1184; 86‑1381; 87‑860.)

    (305 ILCS 5/9A‑11)(from Ch. 23, par. 9A‑11)
    Sec. 9A‑11. Child Care.
    (a) The General Assembly recognizes that families with children need child care in order to work. Child care is expensive and families with low incomes, including those who are transitioning from welfare to work, often struggle to pay the costs of day care. The General Assembly understands the importance of helping low income working families become and remain self‑sufficient. The General Assembly also believes that it is the responsibility of families to share in the costs of child care. It is also the preference of the General Assembly that all working poor families should be treated equally, regardless of their welfare status.
    (b) To the extent resources permit, the Illinois Department shall provide child care services to parents or other relatives as defined by rule who are working or participating in employment or Department approved education or training programs. At a minimum, the Illinois Department shall cover the following categories of families:
        (1) recipients of TANF under Article IV
    
participating in work and training activities as specified in the personal plan for employment and self‑sufficiency;
        (2) families transitioning from TANF to work;
        (3) families at risk of becoming recipients of TANF;
        (4) families with special needs as defined by rule;
    
and
        (5) working families with very low incomes as
    
defined by rule.
    The Department shall specify by rule the conditions of eligibility, the application process, and the types, amounts, and duration of services. Eligibility for child care benefits and the amount of child care provided may vary based on family size, income, and other factors as specified by rule.
    In determining income eligibility for child care benefits, the Department annually, at the beginning of each fiscal year, shall establish, by rule, one income threshold for each family size, in relation to percentage of State median income for a family of that size, that makes families with incomes below the specified threshold eligible for assistance and families with incomes above the specified threshold ineligible for assistance. The specified threshold must be no less than 50% of the then‑current State median income for each family size.
    In determining eligibility for assistance, the Department shall not give preference to any category of recipients or give preference to individuals based on their receipt of benefits under this Code.
    The Department shall allocate $7,500,000 annually for a test program for families who are income‑eligible for child care assistance, who are not recipients of TANF under Article IV, and who need child care assistance to participate in education and training activities. The Department shall specify by rule the conditions of eligibility for this test program.
    Nothing in this Section shall be construed as conferring entitlement status to eligible families.
    The Illinois Department is authorized to lower income eligibility ceilings, raise parent co‑payments, create waiting lists, or take such other actions during a fiscal year as are necessary to ensure that child care benefits paid under this Article do not exceed the amounts appropriated for those child care benefits. These changes may be accomplished by emergency rule under Section 5‑45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, except that the limitation on the number of emergency rules that may be adopted in a 24‑month period shall not apply.
    The Illinois Department may contract with other State agencies or child care organizations for the administration of child care services.
    (c) Payment shall be made for child care that otherwise meets the requirements of this Section and applicable standards of State and local law and regulation, including any requirements the Illinois Department promulgates by rule in addition to the licensure requirements promulgated by the Department of Children and Family Services and Fire Prevention and Safety requirements promulgated by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and is provided in any of the following:
        (1) a child care center which is licensed or exempt
    
from licensure pursuant to Section 2.09 of the Child Care Act of 1969;
        (2) a licensed child care home or home exempt from
    
licensing;
        (3) a licensed group child care home;
        (4) other types of child care, including child care
    
provided by relatives or persons living in the same home as the child, as determined by the Illinois Department by rule.
    (b‑5) Solely for the purposes of coverage under the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act, child and day care home providers, including licensed and license exempt, participating in the Department's child care assistance program shall be considered to be public employees and the State of Illinois shall be considered to be their employer as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, but not before. The State shall engage in collective bargaining with an exclusive representative of child and day care home providers participating in the child care assistance program concerning their terms and conditions of employment that are within the State's control. Nothing in this subsection shall be understood to limit the right of families receiving services defined in this Section to select child and day care home providers or supervise them within the limits of this Section. The State shall not be considered to be the employer of child and day care home providers for any purposes not specifically provided in this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, including but not limited to, purposes of vicarious liability in tort and purposes of statutory retirement or health insurance benefits. Child and day care home providers shall not be covered by the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971.
    In according child and day care home providers and their selected representative rights under the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act, the State intends that the State action exemption to application of federal and State antitrust laws be fully available to the extent that their activities are authorized by this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly.
    (d) The Illinois Department shall, by rule, require co‑payments for child care services by any parent, including parents whose only income is from assistance under this Code. The co‑payment shall be assessed based on a sliding scale based on family income, family size, and the number of children in care. Co‑payments shall not be increased due solely to a change in the methodology for counting family income.
    (e) The Illinois Department shall conduct a market rate survey based on the cost of care and other relevant factors which shall be completed by July 1, 1998.
    (f) The Illinois Department shall, by rule, set rates to be paid for the various types of child care. Child care may be provided through one of the following methods:
        (1) arranging the child care through eligible
    
providers by use of purchase of service contracts or vouchers;
        (2) arranging with other agencies and community
    
volunteer groups for non‑reimbursed child care;
        (3) (blank); or
        (4) adopting such other arrangements as the
    
Department determines appropriate.
    (f‑5) The Illinois Department, in consultation with its Child Care and Development Advisory Council, shall develop a comprehensive plan to revise the State's rates for the various types of child care. The plan shall be completed no later than January 1, 2005 and shall include:
            (1) Base reimbursement rates that are adequate to
        
provide children receiving child care services from the Department equal access to quality child care, utilizing data from the most current market rate survey.
            (2) A tiered reimbursement rate system that
        
financially rewards providers of child care services that meet defined benchmarks of higher‑quality care.
            (3) Consideration of revisions to existing county
        
groupings and age classifications, utilizing data from the most current market rate survey.
            (4) Consideration of special rates for certain
        
types of care such as caring for a child with a disability.
    (g) Families eligible for assistance under this Section shall be given the following options:
        (1) receiving a child care certificate issued by the
    
Department or a subcontractor of the Department that may be used by the parents as payment for child care and development services only; or
        (2) if space is available, enrolling the child with
    
a child care provider that has a purchase of service contract with the Department or a subcontractor of the Department for the provision of child care and development services. The Department may identify particular priority populations for whom they may request special consideration by a provider with purchase of service contracts, provided that the providers shall be permitted to maintain a balance of clients in terms of household incomes and families and children with special needs, as defined by rule.
(Source: P.A. 93‑361, eff. 9‑1‑03; 93‑1062, eff. 12‑23‑04; 94‑320, eff. 1‑1‑06.)

    (305 ILCS 5/9A‑11.5)
    Sec. 9A‑11.5. Investigate child care providers. Any child care provider receiving funds from the child care assistance program under this Code who is not required to be licensed under the Child Care Act of 1969 shall, as a condition of eligibility to participate in the child care assistance program under this Code, authorize in writing on a form prescribed by the Department of Children and Family Services, periodic investigations of the Central Register, as defined in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, to ascertain if the child care provider has been determined to be a perpetrator in an indicated report of child abuse or neglect.
    The Department of Children and Family Services shall conduct an investigation of the Central Register at the request of the Department. The Department shall request the Department of Children and Family Services to conduct periodic investigations of the Central Register. The Department shall by rule determine when payment to an unlicensed child care provider may be withheld if there is an indicated finding against the provider in the Central Register.
(Source: P.A. 92‑825, eff. 8‑21‑02.)

    (305 ILCS 5/9A‑12)
    Sec. 9A‑12. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 89‑641, eff. 8‑9‑96. Repealed by P.A. 92‑111, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

    (305 ILCS 5/9A‑13)
    Sec. 9A‑13. Work activity; anti‑displacement provisions.
    (a) As used in this Section "work activity" means any workfare, earnfare, pay‑after‑performance, work‑off‑the‑grant, work experience, or other activity under Section 9A‑9 or any other Section of this Code in which a recipient of public assistance performs work for any employer as a condition of receiving the public assistance, and the employer does not pay wages for the work; or as any grant diversion, wage supplementation, or similar program in which the public assistance grant is provided to the employer as a subsidy for the wages of any recipient in its workforce.
    (b) An employer may not utilize a work activity participant if such utilization would result in:
        (1) the displacement or partial displacement of
    
current employees, including but not limited to a reduction in hours of non‑overtime or overtime work, wages, or employment benefits; or
        (2) the filling of a position that would otherwise
    
be a promotional opportunity for current employees; or
        (3) the filling of a position created by or causing
    
termination, layoff, a hiring freeze, or a reduction in the workforce; or
        (4) the placement of a participant in any
    
established unfilled vacancy; or
        (5) the performance of work by a participant if
    
there is a strike, lockout, or other labor dispute in which the employer is engaged.
    (c) An employer who wishes to utilize work activity participants shall, at least 15 days prior to utilizing such participants, notify the labor organization of the name, work location, and the duties to be performed by the participant.
    (d) The Department of Human Services shall establish a grievance procedure for employees and labor organizations to utilize in the event of any alleged violation of this Section. Notwithstanding the above, a labor organization may utilize the established grievance or arbitration procedure in its collective bargaining agreement to contest violations of this Section.
(Source: P.A. 92‑111, eff. 1‑1‑02.)

    (305 ILCS 5/9A‑14)
    Sec. 9A‑14. Job skills enhancement pilot program.
    (a) The Illinois Department shall establish a job skills enhancement pilot program to provide newly employed current and former recipients of aid under Article IV with training to enable those recipients to do any one or more of the following:
        (1) Enhance their existing job‑related skills.
        (2) Gain additional or alternative job skills.
        (3) Learn interpersonal communication and other
    
related skills.
    (b) The pilot program must target unskilled and semiskilled current and former recipients of aid under Article IV who are newly employed in entry level positions that have limited potential for advancement beyond entry level. To be eligible to participate in the pilot program, a person must meet all of the following requirements:
        (1) The person must have been a recipient of aid
    
under Article IV within 18 months before the date the person proposes to begin participating in the pilot program.
        (2) The person must have been employed in
    
entry‑level employment for at least 6 months before the date the person proposes to begin participating in the pilot program and must provide satisfactory evidence of that employment status.
        (3) The person must possess limited job skills.
        (4) The person must have limited opportunity for
    
advancement in his or her current employment.
    (c) A recipient's participation in the pilot program must be voluntary. Every person participating in the pilot program must sign a training agreement with the Illinois Department.
    (d) The Illinois Department must establish a pilot program under this Section in each of 3 counties as follows:
        (1) One pilot program in Cook County.
        (2) One pilot program in a county that is contiguous
    
to Cook County.
        (3) One pilot program in a county that is not
    
described in item (1) or (2).
    (e) The Secretary of Human Services, in his or her discretion and in consultation with the county department of a county in which the pilot program is established under this Section, may direct that the pilot program be administered by the county department or through the State service delivery area system under the federal Job Training Partnership Act. As part of their administrative responsibilities under this subsection, a county department or persons at a service delivery area location must do all of the following:
        (1) Manage each pilot program participant's training
    
plan.
        (2) Maintain a database of appropriate vendors of
    
training services.
        (3) Contract for training services to be provided
    
under the pilot program.
        (4) Compile necessary fiscal reports on the pilot
    
program.
(Source: P.A. 91‑624, eff. 1‑1‑00.)

    (305 ILCS 5/9A‑15)
    (Text of Section from P.A. 94‑371)
    Sec. 9A‑15. College education assistance; pilot program.
    (a) Subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services shall establish a pilot program to provide recipients of assistance under Article IV with additional assistance in obtaining a post‑secondary education degree to the extent permitted by the federal law governing the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program. This assistance may include, but is not limited to, moneys for the payment of tuition, but the Department may not use any moneys appropriated for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF) under Article IV to pay for tuition under the pilot program. In addition to criteria, standards, and procedures related to post‑secondary education required by rules applicable to the TANF program, the Department shall provide that the time that a pilot program participant spends in post‑secondary classes shall apply toward the time that the recipient is required to spend in education, placement, and training activities under this Article.
    The Department shall define the pilot program by rule, including a determination of its duration and scope, the nature of the assistance to be provided, and the criteria, standards, and procedures for participation.
    (b) The Department shall enter into an interagency agreement with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for the administration of the pilot program.
    (c) The Department shall evaluate the pilot program and report its findings and recommendations after 2 years of its operation to the Governor and the General Assembly, including proposed rules to modify or extend the pilot program beyond the scope and schedule upon which it was originally established.
(Source: P.A. 94‑371, eff. 1‑1‑06.)
 
    (Text of Section from P.A. 94‑533)
    Sec. 9A‑15. Work activity; applicable minimum wage. The State or federal minimum wage, whichever is higher, shall be used to calculate the required number of hours of participation in any earnfare or pay‑after‑performance activity under Section 9A‑9 or any other Section of this Code in which a recipient of public assistance performs work as a condition of receiving the public assistance and the recipient is not paid wages for the work.
(Source: P.A. 94‑533, eff. 8‑10‑05.)

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