(110 ILCS 305/160)

Sec. 160. Benefits navigator.

(a) In this Section:

"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is designated by the University for the purpose of helping students at the University determine eligibility for benefit programs and identify campuswide and community resource support.

"Benefit program" means any federal, State, or local program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on the basis of need.

(b) The University shall:

(1) designate a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit programs and campuswide and community resource support;

(2) provide training for the benefits navigator; and

(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education, facilitated by the Board of Higher Education, for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators.

(c) The benefits navigator designated under this Section shall:

(1) assist students at the University in determining eligibility for benefit programs and identifying campuswide and community resource support;

(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits navigators at other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of collecting data and developing best practices for helping students apply for and receive assistance from benefit programs; and

(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific resources, including resources for non-English speakers, to support students at the University.

(d) The University, in consultation with the benefits navigator designated under this Section, shall develop an internal process to enable students at the University to provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefit programs and applying for assistance under benefit programs.

(Source: P.A. 102-1045, eff. 1-1-23; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23.)