After initial approval, legislative leaders became aware of the implications of the program and removed legislative authorization. Nevertheless, STW continues to be implemented through state bureaucracies, including the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Human Resource Investment (IHRI), which

determines the future needs of the work-force and links educational opportunities with those needs. Businesses are encouraged to form "partnerships" with schools to accomplish the apprenticeship/mentoring part of students' training.

Hyde Endorses SB 1133
Last March, Illinois Congressman Henry Hyde sent the state's Senate Education Committee a letter supporting SB 1133. Hyde warned committee members that "The purpose of School-to-Work is to train schoolchildren to be entry level workers for the national and global business community, with minimum academic requirements. It is a top-down, planned program for the workers, funded and/or supported by the government. [STW] is administered by educators, the NEA, and business councils appointed by the governors of each state."

Text of SB 1133

91st GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
1999 and 2000
SB 1133

AN ACT to amend the School Code by adding Sections 2-3.126, 10-20.31, and 34-18.18.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Sections 2-3.126, 10-20.31, 34-18.18 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.126 new)

Sec. 2-3.126. Job training program; prohibition. The State Board of Education shall not require a school district or a student of any district to participate in any school-to-work or job training program.

(105 ILCS 5/10-20.31 new)

Sec. 10-20.31 Occupational standards. A school board shall not require a student to meet occupational standards for grade level promotion or graduation unless that student is voluntarily enrolled in a job training program.

(105 ILCS 5/34/18.18. new)