IL HB3541

Establishes placement requirements for Climate Works Hubs receiving Energy Transition Assistance Fund funding: at least one-third of placements must go to applicants from areas that are both R3 Areas (cannabis equity zones) and environmental justice communities, and at least two-thirds must go to applicants from areas meeting either criterion

Gives preference to applicants facing employment barriers including low educational attainment, prior criminal justice involvement, language barriers, and current or former foster care system involvement

Prioritizes remaining program placements for displaced energy workers, individuals facing employment barriers, and foster care system participants regardless of residence location

Excludes racial or ethnic indicators from environmental justice community definitions for program admissions purposes until constitutional basis for their inclusion is established

Expands the Illinois Works Bid Credit Program to allow contractors to earn credits for employing apprentices who completed the Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program or Highway Construction Careers Training Program, in addition to the existing Illinois Works Preapprenticeship Program