IL SB0726

State agencies with 1,500 or more employees must offer at least one trainee position per year to a person with a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, effective July 1, 2020; smaller agencies and executive branch constitutional officers may voluntarily participate.

Trainee positions must last at least 6 months with a minimum of 20 hours per week participation, administered by the Department of Central Management Services.

The Department of Central Management Services shall conduct initial candidate assessments while hiring agencies conduct final interviews, with successful trainees receiving a certificate of completion and eligibility for promotion to the target position without further examination.

The Department of Central Management Services, in cooperation with the Employment and Economic Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities Task Force, shall adopt rules establishing non-political selection criteria, accessible assessment and interview processes, and linking trainee programs to targeted full-time positions.

The Employment and Economic Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities Task Force shall submit annual reports to the Governor and General Assembly documenting participating agencies, best practices, program rules, and the number of trainees converted to full-time state employment.