HB5701 Summary: People with Disabilities Act

• Creates the People with Disabilities Act to increase employment of people with disabilities in Illinois state government, including in supervisory, technical, professional, and managerial positions.

• Establishes a full-time People with Disabilities State Employment Coordinator position within the Department of Central Management Services to develop and implement employment plans and monitor compliance.

• Requires the Department to prepare an annual People with Disabilities State Employment Plan in consultation with the new Advisory Council and report to the General Assembly by February 1 each year beginning in 2013.

• Creates an 11-member People with Disabilities State Employment Plan Advisory Council with subject matter experts appointed by the Governor to examine employment barriers and incentives; council members serve without compensation but receive reimbursement for expenses and must meet quarterly.

• Mandates each state agency implement strategies to increase disability employment, report annually on implementation activities, and requires the Department to assist agencies with training programs including the Upward Mobility Program and Executive Recruitment Internships.