305 ILCS 5/9-6 — Illinois Code / Chapter 305 / Act 5 / Section 9-6
Section 9-6
Status: in_force

(305 ILCS 5/9-6) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-6) Sec. 9-6. Job Search, Training and Work Programs. The Illinois Department and local governmental units shall initiate, promote and develop job search, training and work programs which will provide employment for and contribute to the training and experience of persons receiving aid under Articles III, V, and VI. The job search, training and work programs shall be designed to preserve and improve the work habits and skills of recipients for whom jobs are not otherwise immediately available and to provide training and experience for recipients who lack the skills required for such employment opportunities as are or may become available. The Illinois Department and local governmental unit shall determine by rule those classes of recipients who shall be subject to participation in such programs. If made subject to participation, every applicant for or recipient of public aid who is determined to be "able to engage in employment", as defined by the Department or local governmental unit pursuant to rules and regulations, for whom unsubsidized jobs are not otherwise immediately available shall be required to participate in any program established under this Section. The Illinois Department shall establish with the Director of Central Management Services an outreach and training program designed to encourage and assist recipients participating in job search, training and work programs to participate in open competitive examinations for trainee and other entry level positions to maximize opportunities for placement on open competitive eligible listings and referral to State agencies for employment consideration. The Department shall provide payment for transportation, day-care and Workers' Compensation costs which occur for recipients as a result of participating in job search, training and work programs as described in this Section. The Department may decline to initiate such programs in areas where eligible recipients would be so few in number as to not economically justify such programs; and in this event the Department shall not require persons in such areas to participate in any job search, training, or work programs whatsoever as a condition of their continued receipt of, or application for, aid. The programs may include, but shall not be limited to, service in child care centers, in preschool programs as teacher aides and in public health programs as home visitors and health aides; the maintenance of or services required in connection with public offices, buildings and grounds; state, county and municipal hospitals, forest preserves, parks, playgrounds, streets and highways, and other governmental maintenance or construction directed toward environmental improvement; and similar facilities. The Illinois Department or local governmental units may enter into agreements with local taxing bodies and private not-for-profit organizations, agencies and institutions to provide for the supervision and administration of job search, work and training projects authorized by this Section. Such agreements shall stipulate the requirements for utilization of recipients in such projects. In addition to any other requirements dealing with the administration of these programs, the Department shall assure, pursuant to rules and regulations, that: (a) Recipients may not displace regular employees. (b) The maximum number of hours of mandatory work is 8 hours per day and 40 hours per