Section 840.20  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.

"Bridge program" means assistance provided to Program participants with limited academic or limited English skills to bridge the gap between participants' initial skills and the skills necessary to enter and succeed in postsecondary education and career-path employment by obtaining the necessary academic, employability and technical skills through three required components:

Contextualized instruction that integrates basic reading, math and language skills and industry or occupation knowledge;

Career development that includes career exploration, career planning within a career area, and understanding the world of work; and

Transition services that provide participants with the information and assistance needed to successfully navigate the process of moving to credit or occupational programs. 

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

"Clean energy jobs" means jobs in the solar energy, wind energy, energy efficiency, energy storage, solar thermal, green hydrogen, geothermal, electric vehicle industries, other renewable energy industries, industries achieving emission reductions, and other related sectors including related industries that manufacture, develop, build, maintain, or provide ancillary services to renewable energy resources or energy efficiency products or services, including the manufacture and installation of healthier building materials that contain fewer hazardous chemicals. "Clean energy jobs" includes administrative, sales, and other support functions within these industries and other related sector industries. [20 ILCS 730/5-25(a)]

"Clean Jobs Workforce Network Hubs" means the community-based organizations selected by the Department to provide the services and activities required by the Program.

"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]

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

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

"Displaced energy worker" means an energy worker who has lost employment, or is anticipated by the Department to lose employment within the next 5 years, due to the reduced operation or closure of a fossil fuel power plant, nuclear power plant, or coal mine. [20 ILCS 735/10-10]

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

"Eligible populations" means those individuals who meet the requirements to participate in the Program as set forth in Section 840.80.

"Energy worker" means a person who has been employed full-time for a period of one year or longer, and within the previous 5 years, at a fossil fuel power plant, a nuclear power plant, or a coal mine located within the State of Illinois, whether or not they are employed by the owner of the power plant or mine. Energy workers are considered to be full-time if they work at least 35 hours per week for 45 weeks a year or the 1,820 work-hour equivalent with vacations, paid holidays, and sick time, but not overtime, included in this computation. Classification of an individual as an energy worker continues for 5 years from the latest date of employment or the effective date of [the Energy Community Reinvestment Act, September 15, 2021], whichever is later. [20 ILCS 735/10-10]

"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 investment eligible communities" or "eligible communities" means 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 for both R3 Areas and environmental justice communities.

"Essential Employability Skills" means those general skills that are required to be successful in all sectors of the labor market and are separate from the technical skills attained in career pathways or academic skills such as math and reading.  The essential employability skills, developed by various workforce development stakeholders in Illinois, include, but are not limited to, personal ethics, work ethics, communication skills, and teamwork.

"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.

"Nonprofit 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.

"Program" means the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program. 

"State" means the State of Illinois.

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

"Work-based learning" means opportunities for Program participants to practice and enhance the skills and knowledge gained in their program of study or industry training program, as well as to develop employability, and includes an assessment and recognition of acquired knowledge and skills. "Work-based learning" may include career awareness and exploration activities (e.g., guest speakers, job shadowing, mentorship) as well as workplace experience (e.g., internships, service learning, paid work experience, on-the-job training, incumbent worker training, transitional jobs, and apprenticeships).