IL SB2906

Requires the Illinois Department to provide written and oral information to public aid applicants and recipients about education, training, and employment programs, including available activities, supportive services, lifetime eligibility limits, and participant rights and responsibilities.

Mandates individualized employability assessments for all participants before assignment to education, training, or employment activities, including evaluation of background, skills, work history, employment goals, and barriers to employment such as health issues, child care needs, or domestic violence.

Requires development of an employability plan in consultation with participants that includes employment goals, services to be provided, and activities to achieve those goals, with the Department having final approval authority.

Designates high school and high school equivalency programs as core activities and requires the Department to approve participation upon written or oral request if the participant lacks a diploma or equivalency certificate, counting such participation toward the first 20 hours per week of required participation.

Permits delaying high school or equivalency program enrollment if other activities such as substance abuse treatment or English proficiency programs would provide greater benefit, and requires reassessment of participants upon activity completion, participant request, non-cooperation, or failure to make satisfactory progress.