HB 1256

Abstract

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to create the Diversity in Engineering Scholarship Program. Defines "targeted group member" as a person belonging to a class of race, color, or sex, whose percent of the workforce within the Department's professional classification which includes civil engineers is less than that class's percent of the statewide labor market for such job activities as recorded in the Department's annual affirmative action plan. Defines "eligible student" as a targeted group member who: (i) is an Illinois resident at the time of scholarship application; (ii) is enrolled full-time at any Illinois college or university in any program leading toward a degree in civil engineering; (iii) agrees to conditions required by the Department, including the obligation to work for the Department after graduation if a position is offered for at least one year for each academic year the student receives a scholarship. Provides that the Department of Transportation, subject to appropriation, shall award scholarships to up to 20 students each year in the amount of no more than $7,500 per academic year. Provides that the Department shall promulgate rules as necessary to implement and administer the scholarship program.