Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HB2958

LRB104 08716 LNS 18770 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB2958

Introduced 2/6/2025, by Rep. Michael Crawford

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

110 ILCS 205/17 new

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Department of Employment Security, to develop a career and education guide for postsecondary students with disabilities. Sets forth the included information in the career and education guide. Requires the guide to be publicly available on the websites of the Board, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Department of Employment Security. Allows the Board to publish physical copies and charge a reasonable fee for such copies. Requires the first guide to be published by August 1, 2026, and every August 1 thereafter. Effective January 1, 2026.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

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

Section 5. The Board of Higher Education Act is amended by adding Section 17 as follows:

(110 ILCS 205/17 new)

Sec. 17. Career guide for postsecondary students with disabilities. The Board, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Department of Employment Security, shall develop a career and education guide for postsecondary students with disabilities. The guide shall include information for undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities on available resources at institutions of higher education that support both the academic goals and future career paths of students. The career and education guide shall:

(1) identify the availability of at each institution of higher education in the State:

(A) disability career centers, career counseling, and placement services;

(B) work-based learning options for students with disabilities, including internships, cooperative learning experiences, and independent study opportunities; and

(C) accommodations and supports, such as note-taker services, exam accommodations, accessible seating, communication accommodations, specialty textbooks and equipment, accessible parking, housing and dining areas, and student groups;

(2) provide broad-based career planning information and guidance for undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities on:

(A) when, if, and how a student with a disability may disclose the student's disability with a prospective employer;

(B) how to negotiate and request reasonable accommodations on the job;

(C) workers' rights for employees with disabilities; and

(D) assistive technologies and other supports available to accommodate persons with disabilities in the workplace; and

(3) detail a list of national and regional organizations, including contact information and websites, specifically tailored to meet the unique challenges of job seekers with disabilities.

The guide shall be publicly available the websites of the Board, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Department of Employment Security.

The Board may publish physical copies and charge a reasonable fee for individuals or institutions who wish to have a printed copy.

The first guide shall be published by August 1, 2026 and annually thereafter by August 1 of each succeeding year

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2026.