IL HB5603

Authorizes the Department of Employment Security to implement a pilot program for the federal Self-Employment Assistance Program in Illinois.

Allows individuals identified as likely to exhaust unemployment benefits to receive self-employment assistance allowances equal to their weekly benefit amount while participating in approved entrepreneurial training, business counseling, and technical assistance activities.

Exempts self-employment assistance participants from standard unemployment requirements including availability for work, active job search, and work refusal rules, and excludes self-employment income from benefit reductions.

Limits participation to no more than 5% of individuals receiving regular unemployment benefits in any given week.

Takes effect immediately upon becoming law and terminates when federal authorization for the Self-Employment Assistance Program expires.