Public Act 102-1074

HB5385 Enrolled LRB102 25091 KTG 34351 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 Veterans' Affairs Act is

amended by adding Section 16 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2805/16 new)

Sec. 16. SkillBridge program. Subject to appropriation for

this purpose, the Department shall serve as the State's

principal assistance organization under the United States

Department of Defense's SkillBridge program for employers and

transitioning service members. As the State's principal

assistance organization under the United States Department of

Defense's SkillBridge program for qualified businesses in this

State and for transitioning service members who reside in, or

who wish to reside in, this State, the Department shall:

(1) establish and maintain, as applicable, its

certification for the SkillBridge program or any other

similar workforce training and transition programs

established by the United States Department of Defense;

(2) educate businesses, business associations, and

transitioning service members regarding the SkillBridge

program and its benefits, and educate military command and

personnel within the State on the opportunities available

to transitioning service members through the SkillBridge

program;

(3) assist businesses in obtaining approval for

skilled workforce training curricula under the SkillBridge

program, including, but not limited to, apprenticeships,

internships, or fellowships; and

(4) match transitioning service members who are deemed

eligible for SkillBridge participation by their military

command with training opportunities offered by

participating businesses, with the intent of having

transitioning service members achieve gainful employment

in this State upon completion of their SkillBridge

training.

The Department may adopt any rules necessary to implement

this Section.