Bill Text: IL HB4201 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Reinserts the contents of the bill with the following changes. Makes changes to the definition of "benefits navigator". Requires the institution of higher education (rather than the board of trustees) to designate (rather than employ) a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit (rather than benefits) programs and campuswide and community resource support (rather than a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits programs). Removes the requirement that the Department of Human Services provide training guidance and support. Requires the statewide consortium to be facilitated by the Board of Higher Education. Makes related changes. Effective January 1, 2023.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-06-07 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 102-1045 [HB4201 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-HB4201-Introduced.html

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102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2021 and 2022 HB4201 Introduced , by Rep. Maurice A. West, II SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
110 ILCS 305/160 new
110 ILCS 520/135 new
110 ILCS 660/5-245 new
110 ILCS 665/10-245 new
110 ILCS 670/15-245 new
110 ILCS 675/20-250 new
110 ILCS 680/25-245 new
110 ILCS 685/30-255 new
110 ILCS 690/35-250 new
110 ILCS 805/3-29.20 new
Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities and community colleges in Illinois. Requires the governing board of each public university and community college district to employ a benefits navigator for the purpose of helping students at the institution of higher education apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs; defines "benefits program". Requires the governing board (i) to provide training for the benefits navigator, with training guidance and support provided by the Department of Human Services, (ii) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators, and (iii) develop an internal process to enable students to provide feedback and recommendations on how the institution can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs. Sets forth the duties of a benefits navigator. Effective January 1, 2023.
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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT
A BILL FOR
HB4201 LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b
AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The University of Illinois Act is amended by
adding Section 160 as follows:
(110 ILCS 305/160 new)
Sec. 160. Benefits navigator.
(a) In this Section:
"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed
by the Board of Trustees for the purpose of helping students at
the University apply for and receive assistance from benefits
programs.
"Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local
program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on
the basis of need.
(b) The Board of Trustees shall:
(1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed
understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits
programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits
programs;
(2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with
training guidance and support provided by the Department
of Human Services to the University; and

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(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other
public institutions of higher education for the purpose of
facilitating communication between benefits navigators at
different institutions and developing best practices for
benefits navigators.
(c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section
shall:
(1) assist students at the University in determining
eligibility for benefits programs and applying for
assistance under benefits programs;
(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of
subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits
navigators at other public institutions of higher
education for the purpose of collecting data and
developing best practices for helping students apply for
and receive assistance from benefits programs; and
(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific
resources, including resources for non-English speakers,
to support students at the University.
(d) The Board of Trustees, in consultation with the
benefits navigator employed under this Section, shall develop
an internal process to enable students at the University to
provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can
better assist students in determining eligibility for benefits
programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs.

HB4201 - 3 - LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b
Section 10. The Southern Illinois University Management
Act is amended by adding Section 135 as follows:
(110 ILCS 520/135 new)
Sec. 135. Benefits navigator.
(a) In this Section:
"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed
by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the
University apply for and receive assistance from benefits
programs.
"Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local
program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on
the basis of need.
(b) The Board shall:
(1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed
understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits
programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits
programs;
(2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with
training guidance and support provided by the Department
of Human Services to the University; and
(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other
public institutions of higher education for the purpose of
facilitating communication between benefits navigators at
different institutions and developing best practices for
benefits navigators.

HB4201 - 4 - LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b
(c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section
shall:
(1) assist students at the University in determining
eligibility for benefits programs and applying for
assistance under benefits programs;
(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of
subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits
navigators at other public institutions of higher
education for the purpose of collecting data and
developing best practices for helping students apply for
and receive assistance from benefits programs; and
(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific
resources, including resources for non-English speakers,
to support students at the University.
(d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator
employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process
to enable students at the University to provide feedback and
recommendations on how the University can better assist
students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and
applying for assistance under benefits programs.
Section 15. The Chicago State University Law is amended by
adding Section 5-245 as follows:
(110 ILCS 660/5-245 new)
Sec. 5-245. Benefits navigator.

HB4201 - 5 - LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b
(a) In this Section:
"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed
by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the
University apply for and receive assistance from benefits
programs.
"Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local
program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on
the basis of need.
(b) The Board shall:
(1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed
understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits
programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits
programs;
(2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with
training guidance and support provided by the Department
of Human Services to the University; and
(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other
public institutions of higher education for the purpose of
facilitating communication between benefits navigators at
different institutions and developing best practices for
benefits navigators.
(c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section
shall:
(1) assist students at the University in determining
eligibility for benefits programs and applying for
assistance under benefits programs;

HB4201 - 6 - LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b
(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of
subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits
navigators at other public institutions of higher
education for the purpose of collecting data and
developing best practices for helping students apply for
and receive assistance from benefits programs; and
(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific
resources, including resources for non-English speakers,
to support students at the University.
(d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator
employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process
to enable students at the University to provide feedback and
recommendations on how the University can better assist
students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and
applying for assistance under benefits programs.
Section 20. The Eastern Illinois University Law is amended
by adding Section 10-245 as follows:
(110 ILCS 665/10-245 new)
Sec. 10-245. Benefits navigator.
(a) In this Section:
"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed
by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the
University apply for and receive assistance from benefits
programs.

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"Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local
program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on
the basis of need.
(b) The Board shall:
(1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed
understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits
programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits
programs;
(2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with
training guidance and support provided by the Department
of Human Services to the University; and
(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other
public institutions of higher education for the purpose of
facilitating communication between benefits navigators at
different institutions and developing best practices for
benefits navigators.
(c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section
shall:
(1) assist students at the University in determining
eligibility for benefits programs and applying for
assistance under benefits programs;
(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of
subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits
navigators at other public institutions of higher
education for the purpose of collecting data and
developing best practices for helping students apply for

HB4201 - 8 - LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b
and receive assistance from benefits programs; and
(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific
resources, including resources for non-English speakers,
to support students at the University.
(d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator
employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process
to enable students at the University to provide feedback and
recommendations on how the University can better assist
students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and
applying for assistance under benefits programs.
Section 25. The Governors State University Law is amended
by adding Section 15-245 as follows:
(110 ILCS 670/15-245 new)
Sec. 15-245. Benefits navigator.
(a) In this Section:
"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed
by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the
University apply for and receive assistance from benefits
programs.
"Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local
program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on
the basis of need.
(b) The Board shall:
(1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed

HB4201 - 9 - LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b
understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits
programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits
programs;
(2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with
training guidance and support provided by the Department
of Human Services to the University; and
(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other
public institutions of higher education for the purpose of
facilitating communication between benefits navigators at
different institutions and developing best practices for
benefits navigators.
(c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section
shall:
(1) assist students at the University in determining
eligibility for benefits programs and applying for
assistance under benefits programs;
(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of
subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits
navigators at other public institutions of higher
education for the purpose of collecting data and
developing best practices for helping students apply for
and receive assistance from benefits programs; and
(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific
resources, including resources for non-English speakers,
to support students at the University.
(d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator

HB4201 - 10 - LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b
employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process
to enable students at the University to provide feedback and
recommendations on how the University can better assist
students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and
applying for assistance under benefits programs.
Section 30. The Illinois State University Law is amended
by adding Section 20-250 as follows:
(110 ILCS 675/20-250 new)
Sec. 20-250. Benefits navigator.
(a) In this Section:
"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed
by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the
University apply for and receive assistance from benefits
programs.
"Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local
program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on
the basis of need.
(b) The Board shall:
(1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed
understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits
programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits
programs;
(2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with
training guidance and support provided by the Department

HB4201 - 11 - LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b
of Human Services to the University; and
(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other
public institutions of higher education for the purpose of
facilitating communication between benefits navigators at
different institutions and developing best practices for
benefits navigators.
(c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section
shall:
(1) assist students at the University in determining
eligibility for benefits programs and applying for
assistance under benefits programs;
(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of
subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits
navigators at other public institutions of higher
education for the purpose of collecting data and
developing best practices for helping students apply for
and receive assistance from benefits programs; and
(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific
resources, including resources for non-English speakers,
to support students at the University.
(d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator
employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process
to enable students at the University to provide feedback and
recommendations on how the University can better assist
students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and
applying for assistance under benefits programs.

HB4201 - 12 - LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b
Section 35. The Northeastern Illinois University Law is
amended by adding Section 25-245 as follows:
(110 ILCS 680/25-245 new)
Sec. 25-245. Benefits navigator.
(a) In this Section:
"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed
by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the
University apply for and receive assistance from benefits
programs.
"Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local
program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on
the basis of need.
(b) The Board shall:
(1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed
understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits
programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits
programs;
(2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with
training guidance and support provided by the Department
of Human Services to the University; and
(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other
public institutions of higher education for the purpose of
facilitating communication between benefits navigators at
different institutions and developing best practices for

HB4201 - 13 - LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b
benefits navigators.
(c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section
shall:
(1) assist students at the University in determining
eligibility for benefits programs and applying for
assistance under benefits programs;
(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of
subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits
navigators at other public institutions of higher
education for the purpose of collecting data and
developing best practices for helping students apply for
and receive assistance from benefits programs; and
(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific
resources, including resources for non-English speakers,
to support students at the University.
(d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator
employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process
to enable students at the University to provide feedback and
recommendations on how the University can better assist
students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and
applying for assistance under benefits programs.
Section 40. The Northern Illinois University Law is
amended by adding Section 30-255 as follows:
(110 ILCS 685/30-255 new)

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Sec. 30-255. Benefits navigator.
(a) In this Section:
"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed
by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the
University apply for and receive assistance from benefits
programs.
"Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local
program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on
the basis of need.
(b) The Board shall:
(1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed
understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits
programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits
programs;
(2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with
training guidance and support provided by the Department
of Human Services to the University; and
(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other
public institutions of higher education for the purpose of
facilitating communication between benefits navigators at
different institutions and developing best practices for
benefits navigators.
(c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section
shall:
(1) assist students at the University in determining
eligibility for benefits programs and applying for

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assistance under benefits programs;
(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of
subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits
navigators at other public institutions of higher
education for the purpose of collecting data and
developing best practices for helping students apply for
and receive assistance from benefits programs; and
(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific
resources, including resources for non-English speakers,
to support students at the University.
(d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator
employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process
to enable students at the University to provide feedback and
recommendations on how the University can better assist
students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and
applying for assistance under benefits programs.
Section 45. The Western Illinois University Law is amended
by adding Section 35-250 as follows:
(110 ILCS 690/35-250 new)
Sec. 35-250. Benefits navigator.
(a) In this Section:
"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed
by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the
University apply for and receive assistance from benefits

HB4201 - 16 - LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b
programs.
"Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local
program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on
the basis of need.
(b) The Board shall:
(1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed
understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits
programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits
programs;
(2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with
training guidance and support provided by the Department
of Human Services to the University; and
(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other
public institutions of higher education for the purpose of
facilitating communication between benefits navigators at
different institutions and developing best practices for
benefits navigators.
(c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section
shall:
(1) assist students at the University in determining
eligibility for benefits programs and applying for
assistance under benefits programs;
(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of
subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits
navigators at other public institutions of higher
education for the purpose of collecting data and

HB4201 - 17 - LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b
developing best practices for helping students apply for
and receive assistance from benefits programs; and
(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific
resources, including resources for non-English speakers,
to support students at the University.
(d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator
employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process
to enable students at the University to provide feedback and
recommendations on how the University can better assist
students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and
applying for assistance under benefits programs.
Section 50. The Public Community College Act is amended by
adding Section 3-29.20 as follows:
(110 ILCS 805/3-29.20 new)
Sec. 3-29.20. Benefits navigator.
(a) In this Section:
"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed
by the board for the purpose of helping students at the
community college apply for and receive assistance from
benefits programs.
"Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local
program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on
the basis of need.
(b) The board shall:

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(1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed
understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits
programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits
programs;
(2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with
training guidance and support provided by the Department
of Human Services to the community college district; and
(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other
public institutions of higher education for the purpose of
facilitating communication between benefits navigators at
different institutions and developing best practices for
benefits navigators.
(c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section
shall:
(1) assist students at the community college in
determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying
for assistance under benefits programs;
(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of
subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits
navigators at other public institutions of higher
education for the purpose of collecting data and
developing best practices for helping students apply for
and receive assistance from benefits programs; and
(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific
resources, including resources for non-English speakers,
to support students at the community college.

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(d) The board, in consultation with the benefits navigator
employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process
to enable students at the community college to provide
feedback and recommendations on how the community college
district can better assist students in determining eligibility
for benefits programs and applying for assistance under
benefits programs.
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January
1, 2023.