Public Act 0598 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB4417 Enrolled LRB103 34712 RJT 64559 b

Public Act 103-0598

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section 27-23.17 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/27-23.17 new)

Sec. 27-23.17. Workplace Readiness Week.

(a) Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, all public high schools, including charter schools, may designate and annually observe a week known as "Workplace Readiness Week". During that week, students shall be provided information on their rights as workers. The topics covered shall include, but are not limited to, local, State, and federal laws regarding each of the following areas and shall include the labor movement's role in winning the protections and benefits described in those areas:

(1) Prohibitions against misclassification of employees as independent contractors.

(2) Child labor.

(3) Wage and hour protections.

(4) Worker safety.

(5) Workers' compensation.

(6) Unemployment insurance.

(7) Paid sick leave and paid family leave.

(8) The right to organize a union in the workplace.

(9) Prohibitions against retaliation by employers when workers exercise their rights as workers or any other rights guaranteed by law.

During Workplace Readiness Week, students shall also be provided information introducing them to State-approved apprenticeship programs, how to access them, the variety of programs available, and how they can provide an alternative career path for those students who choose not to attend a traditional higher education program.

(b) If a school observes Workplace Readiness Week under this Section, then, for students in grades 11 and 12, the information required to be provided in subsection (a) shall be integrated into the regular school program but may also be provided during special events after regular school hours. Integration into the regular school program is encouraged, but not required, to occur during Workplace Readiness Week.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.