EMPLOYMENT FIRST ACT House SponsorsRep. Esther Golar-Kay Hatcher-Eddie Lee Jackson, Sr.-Robyn Gabel-Al Riley Senate Sponsors(Sen. Daniel Biss-Melinda Bush-Pamela J. Althoff, Mattie Hunter, Julie A. Morrison, Thomas Cullerton, Christine Radogno, Bill Cunningham, Karen McConnaughay and Jacqueline Y. Collins) 7/16/2013HousePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 98-0091 New Act Creates the Illinois Employment First Act. Provides that: it is the policy of this State that competitive and integrated employment shall be considered the first option when serving persons with disabilities of working age; the policy applies to programs and services that provide services and supports to help persons with disabilities obtain employment; State agencies shall follow the policy and ensure that it is effectively implemented in their programs and services; and nothing in the provisions setting forth the policy shall be construed to require any employer to give preference to hiring persons with disabilities. Requires State agencies to: coordinate efforts and collaborate to ensure that State programs, policies, procedures, and funding support competitive and integrated employment of persons with disabilities; and, whenever feasible, share data and information across systems in order to track progress toward full implementation of the Act. Authorizes State agencies to adopt rules to implement the Act. Provides that: the Employment and Economic Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities Task Force shall establish measurable goals and objectives for the State to ensure implementation of the Act and monitor the measured progress toward its implementation; State agencies shall fully cooperate with the Task Force and provide data and information to assist the Task Force; and the Task Force shall include in its annual report a progress report on the implementation of the Act and any recommendations with respect to its implementation. Effective immediately.House Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that "State agency" means and includes all boards, commissions, agencies, institutions, authorities, and bodies politic and corporate of the State, created by or in accordance with the Illinois Constitution or State statute, of the executive branch of State government and does include colleges, universities, public employee retirement systems, and institutions under the jurisdiction of the governing boards of the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, Illinois State University, Eastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, Chicago State University, Governors State University, Northeastern Illinois University, and the Illinois Board of Higher Education. 2/21/2013HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Esther Golar 2/21/2013HouseFirst Reading 2/21/2013HouseReferred to Rules Committee 3/4/2013HouseAssigned to Human Services Committee 3/15/2013HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Kay Hatcher 3/20/2013HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Human Services Committee; 014-000-000 3/20/2013HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate 4/8/2013HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Esther Golar 4/8/2013HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee 4/9/2013HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Rules Committee; 005-000-000 4/11/2013HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate 4/11/2013HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted 4/11/2013HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate 4/12/2013HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 108-000-000 4/12/2013HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Eddie Lee Jackson, Sr. 4/12/2013HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Robyn Gabel 4/12/2013HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Al Riley 4/12/2013SenateArrive in Senate 4/12/2013SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading April 16, 2013 4/16/2013SenateChief Senate Sponsor Sen. Daniel Biss 4/16/2013SenateFirst Reading 4/16/2013SenateReferred to Assignments 4/17/2013SenateAdded as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Melinda Bush 4/17/2013SenateAdded as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Pamela J. Althoff 4/18/2013SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mattie Hunter 4/18/2013SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Julie A. Morrison 4/23/2013SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Thomas Cullerton 4/23/2013SenateAssigned to Human Services 5/1/2013SenateDo Pass Human Services; 006-000-000 5/1/2013SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 2, 2013 5/1/2013SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Christine Radogno 5/2/2013SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Bill Cunningham 5/7/2013SenateSecond Reading 5/7/2013SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 8, 2013 5/9/2013SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Karen McConnaughay 5/14/2013SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Jacqueline Y. Collins 5/14/2013SenateThird Reading - Passed; 054-000-000 5/14/2013HousePassed Both Houses 6/5/2013HouseSent to the Governor 7/16/2013HouseGovernor Approved 7/16/2013HouseEffective Date July 16, 2013 7/16/2013HousePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 98-0091