Section 820.20  Definitions

 

"Accessibility" means when a person with a disability is afforded the opportunity to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services as a person without a disability in an equally integrated and equally effective manner, with substantially equivalent ease of use.

 

"APEX Accelerators" (formerly known as "Procurement Technical Assistance Centers") means an entity that serves as a focal point for the coordination of federal, State, local, university, college, and private resources to provide marketing and technical assistance to business firms in selling their goods and services to federal, state, and local governments.

 

"CEJA" means the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (P.A. 102-0662).

 

"Community-based organization" means an organization that:

 

Provides employment, skill development, or related services to members of the community;

 

Includes community colleges, nonprofit organizations, and local governments;

 

Has at least one main operating office in the community or region it serves; and

 

Demonstrates relationships with local residents and other organizations serving the community.[20 ILCS 730/5-5]

 

"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. [20 ILCS 730/5-35(a)]

 

"Core values" means the values of diversity, inclusion, accessibility and equity.

 

"Department" means the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

 

"Diversity" means the representation of people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

 

"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 for the relevant county or counties based on data published most recently by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. [20 ILCS 730/5-35(a)]

 

"Eligible populations" means those individuals who meet the requirements to participate in CEJA workforce training or contractor programs listed in the Energy Transition Act [20 ILCS 730] and to whom Energy Transition Navigators will direct their efforts pursuant to the Program, including, but not limited to, individuals in equity focused populations and economically disadvantaged communities.

 

"Energy Transition Navigators" means the community-based providers selected by the Department to provide the services and activities required by the Program.

 

"Environmental justice communities" means the definition of that term as defined by the Illinois Power Agency pursuant to the Illinois Power Agency Act [20 ILCS 3855], but excluding racial and ethnic indicators, where residents have historically been subject to disproportionate pollution burdens, including pollution from the energy sector. [20 ILCS 730/5-5]  For a map that defines these areas in Illinois, refer to this website:  Arcg.is/1Wvv4X.

 

"Equity" means the state, quality or ideal of being just, impartial and fair.

 

"Equity focused populations" means

 

low-income persons;

 

persons residing in equity investment eligible communities;

 

persons who identify as black, indigenous, and people of color;

 

formerly convicted persons;

 

persons who are or were in the child welfare system;

 

energy workers;

 

dependents of displaced energy workers;

 

women;

 

LGBTQ+, transgender, or gender nonconforming persons;

 

persons with disabilities; and

 

members of any of these groups who are also youth. [20 ILCS 730/5-5]

 

"Equity investment eligible community" and "eligible community" mean the geographic areas throughout Illinois which would most benefit from equitable investments by the State designed to combat discrimination and foster sustainable economic growth. Specifically, the eligible community means the following areas:

 

Restore, Reinvest and Renew Areas (R3 Areas) as established pursuant to Section 10-40 of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act [410 ILCS 705], where residents have historically been excluded from economic opportunities, including opportunities in the energy sector. Eligible R3 Areas are defined in the R3 service map (website at Arcg.is/1Wvv4X); and

 

Environmental justice communities. [20 ILCS 730/5-5]  See the Equity Investment Eligible Community Map (website at:  Arcg.is/1Wvv4X), which defines the areas that satisfy the criteria above for both R3 Areas and environmental justice communities.

 

"Equity investment eligible person" or "eligible person" means the persons who would most benefit from equitable investments by the State designed to combat discrimination and foster sustainable economic growth. Specifically, eligible persons means:

 

Persons whose primary residence is in an equity investment eligible community;

 

Persons who are graduates of or currently enrolled in the foster care system; or

 

Persons who were formerly incarcerated. [20 ILCS 730/5-5]

 

"GATA" means the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act [30 ILCS 708].

 

"GATA Rule" means the administrative rules of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget found at 44 Ill. Adm. Code 7000.

 

"Inclusion" means the action or state of including and feeling an empowered sense of belonging within a group or organization.

 

"Low-income person" means an individual whose income does not exceed 80% of the area median income, adjusted for family size, based on the data published most recently by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

 

"Low-skilled worker" means individuals with skillsets that are not currently in high demand in their region, as set forth in the regional level plans, and who could benefit from CEJA training in the clean energy field.

 

"Not-for-profit organization" means a corporation organized under the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986 in good standing to operate in the State of Illinois, that is representative of a community or a significant segment of a community and provides services directly to low-income individuals or low-skilled workers.

 

"Program" means the Energy Transition Navigators Program. 

 

"Regional level plans" means the current plans, pursuant to WIOA, 29 U.S.C. 3121(c), prepared by the local workforce innovation boards and chief elected officials within regions designated by the State in the State's WIOA Unified Plan.

 

"Small Business Development Center" means an entity that serves as a focal point for the coordination of federal, State, local, university, college, and private resources to counsel and train small business owners, managers, and prospective owners in dealing with financial, marketing, production, organization, engineering, technical, and other small business management concerns. 

 

"State" means the State of Illinois.

 

"State's WIOA Unified Plan" means the current 4-year strategy for the core workforce programs of the State that must be submitted and approved by the Secretary pursuant to WIOA, 29 U.S.C. 3112.

 

"Uniform Guidance" means the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, 2 CFR Part 200.

 

"WIOA" means the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101).