1. a) Use – No employee in a position in which the position and/or the employee meet the criteria of an in-hire rate receives less than the in-hire rate. The in-hire rate is used when a candidate only meets the minimum requirements of the class specification upon entry to State service (Section 310.100(b)(1), 310.490(b)(1) or 310.495(b)(1)), when an employee moves to a vacant position (Section 310.45) or when an MS salary range is assigned to a Trainee Program (Section 310.415(b)).

2. b) Request –

   1. 1) Agency Head Request for Other Than a Merit-Compensation-System-only Trainee Program – An agency head may request in writing that the Director approve or negotiate an in-hire rate. The in-hire rate is a Step or dollar amount depending on whether the classification title is assigned to a negotiated full scale rate, negotiated pay grade, merit compensation salary range or broad-band salary range. The in-hire rate may be for the classification title or limited within the classification title to the agency, facilities, counties or other criteria. The supporting justifications for the requested in-hire rate and the limitations are included in the agency request. An effective date may be included in the request.
   2. 2) Agency Head Request for a Merit-Compensation-System-only Trainee Program – The Department determined in-hire rates for existing trainee programs assigned only MS-salary ranges to be used by agencies as the anticipated starting salaries. The in-hire rates are tied to the targeted title and in one case the county in which the trainee position is located. Some targeted titles have been determined to be inappropriate for some trainee titles. If an agency is unable to locate an in-hire rate for its trainee program's targeted title, the targeted title is inappropriate. Agencies using inappropriate targeted titles shall allow employees in the trainee titles targeting the inappropriate targeted titles to finish their training and be promoted if successful. Then, the agency shall not use the inappropriate targeted title again for that trainee program. Questions about the best titles to use for training shall be addressed by CMS. When an agency submits for approval the establishment of a new or a targeted title revision for an existing Trainee or Apprenticeship Program form (CMS-705), the agency head shall request in writing that the Director approve an in-hire rate. The in-hire rate is a dollar amount within the merit compensation salary range assigned to the trainee title. The in-hire rate may be for the trainee title limited for the targeted title and the agency, facilities, counties or other criteria. The supporting justifications for the requested in-hire rate and the limitations shall be included in the agency request. An effective date may be included in the request.
3. c) Review – The Director shall review the supporting justifications, the turnover rate, the length of vacancies, the currently filled positions for the classification title, and the market starting rates for similar classes, and consult with other agencies using the classification title. Other factors may be included in the review and negotiation of negotiated in-hire rates.

4. d) Approval or Negotiated –

   1. 1) Approval − The Director indicates in writing the approved in-hire rate and effective date, which is either the date requested by the agency or the beginning of the next pay period after the approval.
   2. 2) Negotiated – The Director and the bargaining unit representative indicate in writing the in-hire rates and effective date, which is either the date indicated in the agreement, the date of the agreement's signature or the beginning of the next pay period after the signatures are secured on the agreement.
   3. e) Implementation – In the classification title or within the limitations of the classification title and when the in-hire rate is above the normal minimum of the assigned salary range or pay grade, an employee paid below the in-hire rate receives the in-hire rate on the approved effective date. The in-hire rate remains in effect for any employee entering the title or the limits within the title until the title is abolished or an agency request to rescind the in-hire rate is approved by the Director or negotiated by the Director and the bargaining unit representative.

5. f) Approved or Negotiated In-Hire Rates –

   1. 1) Assigned to a Classification –

      1. A) Approved and Assigned to a Pay Grade or Salary Range −

         1. B) Negotiated and Assigned to a Full Scale Rate – The rates are located in Appendix A Table A for bargaining unit RC-104, in Appendix A Table D for bargaining unit HR-001, in Appendix A Table E for bargaining unit RC-020, in Appendix A Table F for RC-019 and in Appendix A Table G for bargaining unit RC-045.

            Title	Bargaining Unit	Effective Date	In-Hire Rate
            Auto & Body Repairer	RC-045	July 1, 2013	75%
            Automotive Attendant I	RC-045	July 1, 2013	75%
            Automotive Attendant II	RC-045	July 1, 2013	75%
            Automotive Mechanic	RC-045	July 1, 2013	75%
            Automotive Parts Warehouse Specialist	RC-045	July 1, 2013	75%
            Automotive Parts Warehouser	RC-045	July 1, 2013	75%
            Bridge Mechanic	RC-019	July 8, 2013	75%
            Bridge Mechanic	RC-020	June 26, 2013	75%
            Bridge Tender	RC-019	July 8, 2013	75%
            Bridge Tender	RC-020	June 26, 2013	75%
            Building Services Worker	HR-001	July 24, 2013	75%
            Conservation Police Lieutenant	RC-104	July 31, 2019	*
            Conservation Police Sergeant	RC-104	July 31, 2019	*
            Deck Hand	RC-019	July 8, 2013	75%
            Elevator Operator	HR-001	July 24, 2013	75%
            Ferry Operator I	RC-019	July 8, 2013	75%
            Ferry Operator II	RC-019	July 8, 2013	75%
            Grounds Supervisor	HR-001	July 24, 2013	75%
            Heavy Construction Equipment Operator	HR-001	July 24, 2013	75%
            Heavy Construction Equipment Operator	RC-020	June 26, 2013	75%
            Highway Maintainer	HR-001	November 1, 2009	75%
            Highway Maintainer	RC-019	July 8, 2013	75%
            Highway Maintainer	RC-020	June 26, 2013	75%
            Highway Maintenance Lead Worker	HR-001	July 24, 2013	75%
            Highway Maintenance Lead Worker	RC-019	July 8, 2013	75%
            Highway Maintenance Lead Worker	RC-020	June 26, 2013	75%
            Highway Maintenance Lead Worker (Lead Lead Worker)	RC-019	July 8, 2013	75%
            Highway Maintenance Lead Worker (Lead Lead Worker)	RC-020	June 26, 2013	75%
            Janitor I (Including Office of Administration)	RC-019	July 8, 2013	75%
            Janitor II (Including Office of Administration)	RC-019	July 8, 2013	75%
            Labor Maintenance Lead Worker	RC-019	July 8, 2013	75%
            Labor Maintenance Lead Worker	RC-020	June 26, 2013	75%
            Laborer (Maintenance)	HR-001	July 24, 2013	75%
            Laborer (Maintenance)	RC-019	July 8, 2013	75%
            Laborer (Maintenance)	RC-020	June 26, 2013	75%
            Maintenance Equipment Operator	HR-001	July 24, 2013	75%
            Maintenance Equipment Operator	RC-019	July 8, 2013	75%
            Maintenance Equipment Operator	RC-020	June 26, 2013	75%
            Maintenance Worker	HR-001	July 24, 2013	75%
            Maintenance Worker	RC-019	July 8, 2013	75%
            Maintenance Worker	RC-020	June 26, 2013	75%
            Power Shovel Operator (Maintenance)	HR-001	July 24, 2013	75%
            Power Shovel Operator (Maintenance)	RC-019	July 8, 2013	75%
            Power Shovel Operator (Maintenance)	RC-020	June 26, 2013	75%
            Security Guard I	RC-019	July 8, 2013	75%
            Security Guard II	RC-019	July 8, 2013	75%
            Silk Screen Operator	RC-019	July 8, 2013	75%
            Silk Screen Operator	RC-020	June 26, 2013	75%
            Small Engine Mechanic	RC-045	July 1, 2013	75%
            Storekeeper I**	RC-045	July 1, 2013	75%
            Storekeeper II**	RC-045	July 1, 2013	75%

            * New bargaining unit members, regardless of their current rank, shall be hired at 33% of the differential between a Conservation Police Officer II and the new member's new rank at the appropriate longevity level.

            ** Storekeeper I & Storekeeper II serving as Automotive Parts Warehouser in Cook County.

         2. 2) Based on the Position's Work Location or Employee's Credential or Residency –

            Title	Pay Grade or Salary Range	Location or Residency	Credential	Effective Date	In-Hire Rate
            Civil Engineer Trainee	NR-916	None identified	Bachelor's degree in accredited civil engineering program	January 1, 2008	Add to minimum monthly rate $40/quarter work experience up to 8
            Civil Engineer Trainee	NR-916	None identified	Passed Engineering Intern exam	January 1, 2008	Add to minimum monthly rate $60/month
            Civil Engineer Trainee	NR-916	None identified	Job-Related Master's degree	January 1, 2012	Add to minimum monthly rate $40/month for each year of full-time graduate study as a substitute for job-related experience up to two years
            Engineering Technician I	NR-916	None identified	Completed 2 years of college in civil engineering or job related technical/ science curriculum (60 semester /90 quarter hours credit)	January 1, 2012	$2,845
            Engineering Technician I	NR-916	None identified	Completed 3 years of college in areas other than civil engineering or job related technical/ science curriculum (90 semester /135 quarter hours credit)	January 1, 2012	$2,730
            Engineering Technician I	NR-916	None identified	Associate Degree from an accredited 2 year civil engineering technology program	January 1, 2012	$2,975
            Engineering Technician I	NR-916	None identified	Completed 3 years of college courses in civil engineering or job related technical/ science curriculum (90 semester/ 135 quarter hours credit)	January 1, 2012	$2,975
            Engineering Technician I	NR-916	None identified	Completed 4 years of college courses in areas other than civil engineering or job related technical/ science curriculum (120 semester /180 quarter hours credit)	January 1, 2012	$2,845
            Engineering Technician I	NR-916	None identified	Completed 4 years of college in civil engineering or job related technical/ science curriculum (120 semester/180 quarter hours credit includes appointees from unaccredited engineering programs and those who have not yet obtained a degree)	January 1, 2012	$3,095
            Engineering Technician I and II	NR-916	None identified	Bachelor of Science Degree from an accredited 4 year program in civil engineering technology, industrial technology, and construction technology	January 1, 2012	$3,510
            Forensic Scientist Trainee	RC-062-15	None identified	Meets minimum class requirements or completed Forensic Science Residency Program at the U of I-Chicago	January 1, 2008	Step 1
            Information Services Intern	RC-063-15	Work outside Cook County	Computer Science degree at 4-year college	January 1, 2008	Step 4
            Information Services Intern	RC-063-15	Work in Cook County	Computer Science degree at 4-year college	January 1, 2008	Step 6
            Information Services Intern	RC-063-15	Work outside Cook County	Computer Science degree at 2-year technical school	January 1, 2008	Step 2
            Information Services Intern	RC-063-15	Work in Cook County	Computer Science degree at 2-year technical school	January 1, 2008	Step 4
            Information Services Intern	RC-063-15	Work in Cook County	Non-Computer Science degree at 4-year college	January 1, 2008	Step 3
            Information Services Specialist I	RC-063-17	Work in Cook County	None identified beyond class requirements	January 1, 2008	Step 2
            Juvenile Justice Specialist	RC-006-14	None identified	Master's degree	September 1, 2008	Step 2
            Juvenile Justice Specialist Intern	RC-006-11	None identified	Master's degree	September 1, 2008	Step 2
            Meat & Poultry Inspector Trainee	RC-029	Work in Regions 1 and 6	None identified beyond class requirements	May 15, 2014	Step 1
            Physician Specialist, Option C	RC-063-MD-C	Work in Alton, Chester, Choate, Ludeman, McFarland, and Murray facilities	None identified beyond class requirements	May 1, 2018	Step 5
            Physician Specialist, Option D	RC-063-MD-D	Work in Alton, Chester, Choate, Ludeman, McFarland, and Murray facilities	None identified beyond class requirements	May 1, 2018	Step 5
            Telecommunicator	RC-014-12	Work in District 2	None identified beyond class requirements	January 1, 2008	Step 2
            Telecommunicator Trainee	RC-014-10	Work in Kane County	None identified beyond class requirements	January 1, 2008	Step 3
            Telecommunicator Trainee	RC-014-10	Work in Cook County	None identified beyond class requirements	January 1, 2008	Step 7

         Title	Pay Grade or Salary Range	Effective Date	In-Hire Rate
         Correctional Officer	RC-006-09	January 1, 2008	Step 1
         Correctional Officer Trainee	RC-006-07	January 1, 2008	Step 1
         Environmental Engineer I	RC-063-15	January 1, 2008	Step 2
         Environmental Protection Engineer I	RC-063-15	January 1, 2008	Step 5
         Environmental Protection Engineer II	RC-063-17	January 1, 2008	Step 4

(Source: Peremptory amendment at 47 Ill. Reg. 15712, effective October 18, 2023)