Lifelong Learning and Educational Access Program (LLEAP)

LLEAP Purpose

The Lifelong Learning and Education Access Program (LLEAP) is designed to provide, Academic Professionals and Open-Range Civil Service employees, release time/flex time, and/or funds for development opportunities focused on enhancing a career at UIC.

LLEAP Benefits

Each eligible employee can utilize one of the following benefits on an annual basis:

Option 1) Up to $200 and up to 8 hours of release time Employee and Data Maintenance for professional development activities
Option 2) Up to $200 funding for coursework not covered under a university tuition waiver
Option 3) Continuous flex time of four hours per week while enrolled in or actively pursuing an educational development activity
Option 4) Release time of up to 16 hours per year for professional development activities

LLEAP Terminology

LLEAP Eligibility

Academic Professionals (non-faculty) or Open-Range Civil Service support staff at UIC with a minimum of one year tenure (as of July 1) are eligible for LLEAP.

Manager/Supervisor Responsibility

Colleges/Units are responsible for confirming that all LLEAP requests are reviewed and approved based on Policy 603:

• Up to $200 (from college/unit budget) for each eligible employee, annually for development request(s)
• Flex and release time

Refer to LLEAP Benefits section (above) for more policy details. Colleges/units unable to approve eligible LLEAP requests due to budget reason need to contact the appropriate Vice Chancellor to discuss concerns before responding to employee’s request.

LLEAP Action Steps

Employee Responsibility

Academic Professionals and Open-Range Civil Service employees interested in understanding LLEAP or the benefits of LLEAP are encouraged to review the LLEAP Policy.

If the employee is eligible, the employee must complete the Employee Participation Request Form at least three weeks in advance of the Development Activity and submit the completed form to his/her manager for review. To access the LLEAP Employee Participation Request Form, click here.

Managers reviewing the completed LLEAP request forms are encouraged to notify employees of status within two weeks of receiving the completed form.

Contact and Support

If you have questions, contact Karen Hershberger at kshersh@uillinos.edu or (312) 413-9168.