(305 ILCS 5/Art. IX heading)
(305 ILCS 5/9-1) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-1)
Sec. 9-1. Declaration of Purpose. It is the purpose of this Article to aid applicants for and recipients of public aid under Articles III, IV, V, and VI, to increase their capacities for self-support, self-care, and responsible citizenship, and to assist them in maintaining and strengthening family life. If authorized pursuant to Section 9-8, this Article may be extended to former and potential recipients and to persons whose income does not exceed the standard established to determine eligibility for aid as a medically indigent person under Article V. The Department, with the written consent of the Governor, may also:
(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)
(305 ILCS 5/9-2) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-2)
Sec. 9-2. Guidance and Counseling Services. Guidance and counseling services shall be provided directly by the staffs of the Illinois Department, the County Departments, and local governmental units, or through cooperating governmental and private agencies which will assist in preventing or overcoming financial dependency or social maladjustment; in maintaining and strengthening family life; in assisting parents who are unmarried, divorced or separated to share in the support and maintenance of their children; in increasing the capacities of parents or other adults for attaining or maintaining a decent and healthful standard of living for themselves and any children they may have under their care; and in encouraging and aiding parents or other adults to provide children under their care with maximum opportunities for realizing their full potentialities for development.
In local governmental units receiving State funds, the establishment of such services and the expenditure of funds therefor shall be subject to the approval and supervision of the Illinois Department.
(Source: P.A. 81-968.)
(305 ILCS 5/9-3) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-3)
Sec. 9-3. Rehabilitative Services.
The Illinois Department, the County Departments, and local governmental units shall encourage and assist applicants and recipients to make maximum use of the facilities of public or private agencies providing rehabilitative services for persons afflicted with physical, mental or social disabilities requiring specialized care and treatment.
(Source: Laws 1967, p. 122.)
(305 ILCS 5/9-4)
Sec. 9-4. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 86-1381. Repealed by P.A. 95-322, eff. 1-1-08.)
(305 ILCS 5/9-5) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-5)
Sec. 9-5. Educational programs; vocational training and retraining. The Illinois Department, the County Departments, and local governmental units shall cooperate with all public or private education and vocational training or retraining agencies or facilities operating within this State, or making their services available to residents of this State, to the end that there may be developed all necessary education and vocational training or retraining services and facilities required to improve the skills of persons receiving aid under Articles III, V, and VI for whom jobs are not immediately available, or which will provide education, training, and experience for persons who lack the skills required for employment opportunities as are or may become available. The education, training, or retraining services and facilities shall assure that persons receiving this assistance who are subject to participation shall become enrolled in, and attend, programs that will lead to graduation from high school or the equivalent when the Illinois Department determines these programs will be beneficial to the person in obtaining employment.
Participants in any educational or vocational training program shall be provided with an extra allowance towards the costs of their participation.
(Source: P.A. 92-111, eff. 1-1-02.)
(305 ILCS 5/9-6) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-6)
Sec. 9-6. Job Search, Training and Work Programs. The Illinois Department and local governmental units shall initiate, promote and develop job search, training and work programs which will provide employment for and contribute to the training and experience of persons receiving aid under Articles III, V, and VI.
The job search, training and work programs shall be designed to preserve and improve the work habits and skills of recipients for whom jobs are not otherwise immediately available and to provide training and experience for recipients who lack the skills required for such employment opportunities as are or may become available. The Illinois Department and local governmental unit shall determine by rule those classes of recipients who shall be subject to participation in such programs. If made subject to participation, every applicant for or recipient of public aid who is determined to be "able to engage in employment", as defined by the Department or local governmental unit pursuant to rules and regulations, for whom unsubsidized jobs are not otherwise immediately available shall be required to participate in any program established under this Section.
The Illinois Department shall establish with the Director of Central Management Services an outreach and training program designed to encourage and assist recipients participating in job search, training and work programs to participate in open competitive examinations for trainee and other entry level positions to maximize opportunities for placement on open competitive eligible listings and referral to State agencies for employment consideration.
The Department shall provide payment for transportation, day-care and Workers' Compensation costs which occur for recipients as a result of participating in job search, training and work programs as described in this Section. The Department may decline to initiate such programs in areas where eligible recipients would be so few in number as to not economically justify such programs; and in this event the Department shall not require persons in such areas to participate in any job search, training, or work programs whatsoever as a condition of their continued receipt of, or application for, aid.
The programs may include, but shall not be limited to, service in child care centers, in preschool programs as teacher aides and in public health programs as home visitors and health aides; the maintenance of or services required in connection with public offices, buildings and grounds; state, county and municipal hospitals, forest preserves, parks, playgrounds, streets and highways, and other governmental maintenance or construction directed toward environmental improvement; and similar facilities.
The Illinois Department or local governmental units may enter into agreements with local taxing bodies and private not-for-profit organizations, agencies and institutions to provide for the supervision and administration of job search, work and training projects authorized by this Section. Such agreements shall stipulate the requirements for utilization of recipients in such projects. In addition to any other requirements dealing with the administration of these programs, the Department shall assure, pursuant to rules and regulations, that:
Local taxing bodies and private not-for-profit organizations, agencies and institutions which utilize recipients in job search, work and training projects authorized by this Section are urged to include such recipients in the formulation of their employment policies.
Unless directly paid by an employing local taxing body or not-for-profit agency, a recipient participating in a work project who meets all requirements set forth by the Illinois Department shall receive credit towards his or her monthly assistance benefits for work performed based upon the applicable minimum wage rate. Where a recipient is paid directly by an employing agency, the Illinois Department or local governmental unit shall provide for payment to such employing entity the appropriate amount of assistance benefits to which the recipient would otherwise be entitled under this Code.
The Illinois Department or its designee, including local governmental units, may enter into agreements with the agencies or institutions providing work under programs established hereunder for payment to each such employer (hereinafter called "public service employer") of all or a portion of the wages to be paid to persons for the work performed and other appropriate costs.
If the number of persons receiving aid under Article VI is insufficient to justify the establishment of job search, training and work programs on a local basis by a local governmental unit, or if for other good cause the establishment of a local program is impractical or unwarranted, the local governmental unit shall cooperate with other local governmental units, with civic and non-profit community agencies, and with the Illinois Department in developing a program or programs which will jointly serve the participating governmental units and agencies.
A local governmental unit receiving State funds shall refer all recipients able to engage in employment to such job search, training and work programs as are established, whether within or without the governmental unit, and as are accessible to persons receiving aid from the governmental unit. The Illinois Department shall withhold allocation of state funds to any governmental unit which fails or refuses to make such referrals.
Participants in job search, training and work programs shall be required to maintain current registration for regular employment under Section 11-10 and to accept any bona fide offer of regular employment. They shall likewise be required to accept education, work and training opportunities available to them under other provisions of this Code or Federal law. The Illinois Department or local governmental unit shall provide by rule for periodic review of the circumstances of each participant to determine the feasibility of his placement in regular employment or other work, education and training opportunities.
Moneys made available for public aid purposes under Articles IV and VI may be expended to pay public service employers all or a portion of the wages of public service employees and other appropriate costs, to provide necessary supervisory personnel and equipment, to purchase Workers' Compensation Insurance or to pay Workers' Compensation claims, and to provide transportation to and from work sites.
The Department shall provide through rules and regulations for sanctions against applicants and recipients of aid under this Code who fail to cooperate with the regulations and requirements established pursuant to this Section. Such sanctions may include the loss of eligibility to receive aid under Article VI of this Code for up to 3 months.
The Department, in cooperation with a local governmental unit, may maintain a roster of persons who are required to participate in a local job search, training and work program. In such cases, the roster shall be available for inspection by employers for the selection of possible workers.
In addition to the programs authorized by this Section, the Illinois Department is authorized to administer any job search, training or work projects in conjunction with the Federal Food Stamp Program, either under this Section or under other regulations required by the Federal government.
The Illinois Department may also administer pilot programs to provide job search, training and work programs to unemployed parents of children receiving child support enforcement services under Article X of this Code.
(Source: P.A. 92-111, eff. 1-1-02; 92-590, eff. 7-1-02.)
(305 ILCS 5/9-6.01) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-6.01)
Sec. 9-6.01. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 86-909. Repealed by P.A. 92-111, eff. 1-1-02.)
(305 ILCS 5/9-6.02) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-6.02)
Sec. 9-6.02. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 86-1028. Repealed by P.A. 92-111, eff. 1-1-02.)
(305 ILCS 5/9-6.03) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-6.03)
Sec. 9-6.03. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 87-1116. Repealed by P.A. 92-111, eff. 1-1-02.)
(305 ILCS 5/9-6.04)
Sec. 9-6.04. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 88-170. Repealed by P.A. 92-111, eff. 1-1-02.)
(305 ILCS 5/9-6.1) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-6.1)
Sec. 9-6.1. Housing Education Program. The Illinois Department shall establish, either directly or by contract, a pilot project for a housing education program that will provide persons receiving aid under Articles III, IV, V, and VI with instructions in the care and maintenance of dwelling units, in the essentials of adequate housekeeping, and the problems of urban living. If in accord with Federal law and regulations governing grants to this State for public aid purposes, the Department may require recipients to attend a housing education program. Non-recipients to whom services have been extended under the provisions of Section 9-8 may also attend and participate in a housing education program established hereunder.
(Source: P.A. 92-111, eff. 1-1-02; 93-632, eff. 2-1-04.)
(305 ILCS 5/9-6.2) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-6.2)
Sec. 9-6.2. Township assistance to county convalescent homes. In counties under township organization, the several townships therein which do not receive State funds for general assistance may provide, from moneys received and collected for public aid to all persons eligible therefor under Article VI of this Code, funds for the operation costs of any county convalescent home in the county, in addition to payment of patient expenses otherwise provided for under this Code. No township which receives State funds for general assistance may use moneys received and collected for public aid for such assistance to county convalescent homes. "County convalescent home" shall refer to any facility that was established by a county according to the provisions of Division 5-21 of the Counties Code or its predecessor.
(Source: P.A. 92-111, eff. 1-1-02.)
(305 ILCS 5/9-6.3) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-6.3)
Sec. 9-6.3. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 86-1028. Repealed by P.A. 90-17, eff. 7-1-97.)
(305 ILCS 5/9-6.4) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-6.4)
Sec. 9-6.4. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 85-1209. Repealed by P.A. 90-17, eff. 7-1-97.)
(305 ILCS 5/9-7) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-7)
Sec. 9-7. Establishing Services Not Otherwise Available-State Supervision of Services in Local Units Receiving State Funds.
Where the services or facilities authorized by Sections 9-3 or 9-5 are not available or insufficient to meet needs, the Illinois Department or local governmental unit may establish and provide such services and facilities. If the local governmental unit receives State funds for such services or facilities under Sections 9-3 or 9-5, or for any local or joint programs under Section 9-6, the establishment of such services, facilities or programs and the expenditure of funds therefor shall be subject to the approval and supervision of the Illinois Department.
(Source: P.A. 77-1802.)
(305 ILCS 5/9-8) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-8)
Sec. 9-8. Extension of Coverage.) If appropriate and sufficient facilities are not available through other agencies, the Illinois Department may extend those services provided in this Article which relate to work adjustment, education, training, and counseling and guidance on problems of child care, family relationships, home and money management, transportation, and health, to one or both of the following:
The services may be continued for such time as may be necessary to overcome the conditions which may result in dependency upon financial aid but each case shall be reviewed at least quarterly to assure that the services are not continued beyond a reasonable period of time.
Any extension of services under the foregoing provisions shall be limited to a pilot county or counties, or other test area, until the cost and effectiveness of the services provided are determined to be in the public interest.
The Illinois Department may also extend the educational and vocational training programs provided under Section 9-5 or Section 9-7 to persons whose income does not exceed the standard established to determine eligibility for aid as a medically indigent person under Article V, subject to the minimum quarterly review requirement established in this Section for persons designated in subparagraphs (1) and (2).
(Source: P.A. 93-632, eff. 2-1-04.)
(305 ILCS 5/9-9) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-9)
Sec. 9-9. The Illinois Department shall make information available in its local offices informing clients about programs concerning substance use disorder and prevention programs.
(Source: P.A. 100-759, eff. 1-1-19.)
(305 ILCS 5/9-10) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-10)
Sec. 9-10. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 87-528. Repealed by P.A. 92-111, eff. 1-1-02.)
(305 ILCS 5/9-11) (from Ch. 23, par. 9-11)
Sec. 9-11. The Illinois Department may make disbursements to any attorney, or advocate working under the supervision of an attorney, who represents a recipient of cash assistance under Article VI in a program administered by the Illinois Department, in an appeal of any claim for federal veterans' benefits before a hearing officer at a Veterans' Administration Regional Office or upon an initial appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals which is decided in favor of the recipient. The amount of the disbursement shall be equal to the disbursement awarded under Section 3-13 of this Code. No disbursement shall be made unless a petition and a copy of the favorable decision is submitted by an attorney or advocate to the Illinois Department within 60 days of the date of the favorable decision. The disbursement shall be made within 30 days after the petition is received. The Illinois Department shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement this Section.
(Source: P.A. 89-21, eff. 7-1-95.)
(305 ILCS 5/9-12)
Sec. 9-12. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 88-412; Repealed by P.A. 91-599, eff. 8-14-99.)
(305 ILCS 5/9-13)
Sec. 9-13. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07. Repealed by P.A. 95-322, eff. 1-1-08.)
(305 ILCS 5/9-14)
Sec. 9-14. Small business grant program. Subject to appropriation, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may establish a small business grant program for public aid recipients who are interested in developing a new start-up business. Grant applicants must submit an initial business plan or proposal to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity that clearly articulates the viability of the new start-up business and how the grant money will be used to develop the business. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall use such application materials to determine an applicant's eligibility under the program, the grant amount to be awarded, if applicable, and the number of grants an eligible applicant will receive under the program. If an applicant is determined by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to be eligible for a small business grant, the applicant must submit to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity every year that he or she participates in the program or applies for a new grant an updated business plan or proposal that demonstrates the continued viability or progress of the new start-up business. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall adopt any rules necessary to implement this provision, including rules on the minimum and maximum grant amounts awarded under the program, the number of grants an applicant may apply for or receive during a specified period of time, and application requirements.
(Source: P.A. 100-347, eff. 1-1-18.)
(305 ILCS 5/9-15)
Sec. 9-15. Township food pantries. In a county under township organization, a township may provide, from moneys received and collected for public aid to all persons eligible therefor under Article VI of this Code, funds and administer programs for providing in-kind aid in meeting basic maintenance requirements, including, but not limited to, food, paper goods, toiletries, and clothing, to persons who are poor, indigent, homeless, or in need of immediate assistance, in addition to financial aid provided under this Code.
(Source: P.A. 101-309, eff. 1-1-20.)