Bill Text: IL HB4201 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Chaptered

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Bill Title: Reinserts the contents of the bill with the following changes. Makes changes to the definition of "benefits navigator". Requires the institution of higher education (rather than the board of trustees) to designate (rather than employ) a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit (rather than benefits) programs and campuswide and community resource support (rather than a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits programs). Removes the requirement that the Department of Human Services provide training guidance and support. Requires the statewide consortium to be facilitated by the Board of Higher Education. Makes related changes. Effective January 1, 2023.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-06-07 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 102-1045 [HB4201 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-HB4201-Chaptered.html

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Public Act 102-1045
HB4201 Enrolled LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b
AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The University of Illinois Act is amended by
adding Section 160 as follows:
(110 ILCS 305/160 new)
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.
Section 10. The Southern Illinois University Management
Act is amended by adding Section 135 as follows:

(110 ILCS 520/135 new)
Sec. 135. 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.
Section 15. The Chicago State University Law is amended by
adding Section 5-245 as follows:
(110 ILCS 660/5-245 new)
Sec. 5-245. 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.
Section 20. The Eastern Illinois University Law is amended
by adding Section 10-245 as follows:
(110 ILCS 665/10-245 new)
Sec. 10-245. 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.
Section 25. The Governors State University Law is amended
by adding Section 15-245 as follows:
(110 ILCS 670/15-245 new)
Sec. 15-245. 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.
Section 30. The Illinois State University Law is amended
by adding Section 20-250 as follows:
(110 ILCS 675/20-250 new)

Sec. 20-250. 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.
Section 35. The Northeastern Illinois University Law is
amended by adding Section 25-245 as follows:
(110 ILCS 680/25-245 new)
Sec. 25-245. 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.
Section 40. The Northern Illinois University Law is
amended by adding Section 30-255 as follows:
(110 ILCS 685/30-255 new)
Sec. 30-255. 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.

Section 45. The Western Illinois University Law is amended
by adding Section 35-250 as follows:
(110 ILCS 690/35-250 new)
Sec. 35-250. 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.
Section 50. The Public Community College Act is amended by
adding Section 3-29.20 as follows:
(110 ILCS 805/3-29.20 new)
Sec. 3-29.20. Benefits navigator.
(a) In this Section:

"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is designated
by a community college for the purpose of helping students at
the community college 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) A community college 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 community college
consortium, facilitated by the State Board, 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 community college 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 community college.
(d) The community college, in consultation with the
benefits navigator designated under this Section, shall
develop an internal process to enable students at the
community college to provide feedback and recommendations on
how the community college can better assist students in
determining eligibility for benefit programs and applying for
assistance under benefit programs.
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January
1, 2023.