Section 850.20  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.

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

"Climate Works Hub" means a nonprofit organization selected by the Department to act as a workforce intermediary and to participate in the Illinois Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program. [20 ILCS 730/5-5]

"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.

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

"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 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]

"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.

"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.

"Pre-apprenticeship program" means a training program designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in apprenticeship programs or in another career pathway approach. Pre-apprenticeship programs have the following core elements:

Inclusive recruitment of equity focused populations;

Industry-focused curriculum and training;

Hands-on learning or work-based learning;

Retention services for successful participation and completion;

Partnerships with contractors and connections to apprenticeship programs; and

Strive for credential acquisition.

"Program" means the Illinois Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program. 

"Registered apprenticeship" means an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, receive progressive wage increases, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential.  Registered Apprenticeships are industry-vetted and approved and validated by the U.S. Department of Labor or a State apprenticeship agency.

"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.