HB2534 Summary

• Amends the Illinois Youthbuild Act to expand grant-making authority from the Secretary of Human Services to six state departments: Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Department of Corrections, Department of Transportation, Illinois State Board of Education, and Department of Human Services.

• Grants may be awarded to applicants for Youthbuild programs that provide housing acquisition, rehabilitation, or construction for disadvantaged persons, homeless individuals, and low-income families.

• Youthbuild programs must include integrated education and job skills training with 50% classroom instruction and 50% on-site construction training, with specified teacher-to-student and trainer-to-student ratios.

• Programs must provide counseling services, leadership development training, stipends and wages at minimum wage rates, and job placement assistance for at least 12 months after graduation.

• Full-time participation required for 6 to 24 months, with programs serving 28 or more trainees requiring a full-time director; effective immediately upon enactment.