Illinois Code § 5-35

§ 5-35.

Energy Transition Navigators. (a) As used in this Section: "Community-based provider" means a not-for-profit organization that has a history of serving low-wage or low-skilled workers or individuals from economically disadvantaged communities. "Economically disadvantaged community" means areas of one or more census tracts where the average household income does not exceed 80% of the area median income. (b) In order to engage eligible individuals to participate in the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program, the Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program, Returning Residents Clean Jobs Program, Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program, and Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program and utilize the services offered under the Energy Transition Barrier Reduction Program, the Department shall, subject to appropriation, contract with community-based providers to serve as Energy Transition Navigators. Energy Transition Navigators shall provide education, outreach, and recruitment services to equity focused populations, prioritizing individuals eligible for the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program or Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program, to make sure they are aware of and engaged in the statewide and local workforce development systems. Additional strategies may include, but are not limited to, recruitment activities and events. (c) For members of equity focused populations, prioritizing individuals eligible for the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program or Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program, who may be interested in entrepreneurial pursuits, Energy Transition Navigators may connect these individuals with their area Small Business Development Center, Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, or economic development organization to engage in services, including, but not limited to, business consulting, business planning, regulatory compliance, marketing, training, accessing capital, government bid, and certification assistance. (d) Energy Transition Navigators shall engage equity focused populations, prioritizing individuals eligible for the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program or Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program, organizations working with these populations, local workforce innovation boards, and other relevant stakeholders to coordinate outreach initiatives to promote information regarding programs and services offered under the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program, the Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program, and the Energy Transition Barrier Reduction Program. Energy Transition Navigators shall provide support where reasonable to individuals and entities applying for these services and programs. (e) Community education, outreach, and recruitment regarding the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program, the Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program, and Energy Transition Barrier Reduction Program shall be targeted to the equity focused populations, prioritizing individuals eligible for the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program or Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program. (f) Community-based providers shall partner with educational institutions or organizations working with equity focused populations, local employers, labor unions, and others to identify members of equity focused populations in eligible communities who are unable to advance in their careers due to inadequate skills. Community-based providers shall provide information and consultation to equity focused populations, prioritizing individuals eligible for the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program or Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program, on various educational opportunities and supportive services available to them. (g) Community-based providers shall establish partnerships with employers, educational institutions, local economic development organizations, environmental justice organizations, trades groups, labor unions, and entities that provide jobs, including businesses and other nonprofit organizations, to target the skill needs of local industry. The community-based provider shall work with local workforce innovation boards and other relevant partners to develop skill curriculum and career pathway support for disadvantaged individuals in equity focused populations, prioritizing individuals eligible for the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program or Illinois Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program, that meets local employers' needs and establishes job placement opportunities after training. (h) Funding for the Program is subject to appropriation from the Energy Transition Assistance Fund. Priority in awarding grants under this Section will be given to organizations that also have experience serving populations impacted by climate change. (i) Each community-based organization that receives funding from the Department as an Energy Transition Navigator shall provide an annual report to the Department by April 1 of each calendar year. The annual report shall include the following information: (1) a description of the community-based organization's recruitment, screening, and training efforts; (2) the number of individuals who apply to, participate in, and complete programs offered through the Energy Transition Workforce Program, broken down by race, gender, age, and location; and (3) any other information deemed necessary by the Department. (Source: P.A. 102-662, eff. 9-15-21.)