Illinois students with disabilities could soon receive more support when planning for life after high school, thanks to a measure championed by State Senator Doris Turner.

Senator Turner says students and families need better access to information about employment programs and career resources available after graduation. To meet the students and families request, Senator Turner helped guide House Bill 4581 (HB4581) through the Illinois Senate.

HB4581 focuses on the federally funded Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program. The program helps people who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), better understand how employment could affect their benefits and what work opportunities may be available to them.

Under the proposal, Illinois school districts would be required to provide informational materials about the WIPA program during important transition planning meetings for students with disabilities. That would include the student’s first transition planning meeting, as well as during the student’s final year of high school.

Senator Turner says the goal is to ensure students and parents are aware of available resources before graduation, not after.

HB4581 passed the Illinois Senate on Thursday and now moves forward to Governor JB Pritzker’s desk for final approval.

For more information on HB4581, as well as any and all other IL House Bills, visit www.ilga.gov.