Upward Mobility Program

The Upward Mobility Program Advisory Committee is pleased to announce that the proficiency examination for the Correctional Counselor I title is now available. The former exam was compromised and suspended on June 3, 2022. The new proficiency exam is now available at each of the Career Services Centers: Champaign, Chicago, Marion, Rockford, and Springfield.

Current UMP participants who have already targeted the title must obtain a new Proficiency Examination Registration (PER form) in order to continue testing by emailing CMS.UMPCorrectionalCounselorReq@illinois.gov.

Current UMP participants who want to target the title should contact their UMP counselor for a new Career Development Plan (CDP). This can be accomplished by emailing your UMP counselor directly or calling the UMP office at 833-452-4836.

Potential participants wanting to target the Correctional Counselor I title or one of the many other UMP titles must first register for the Program at cms.illinois.gov/ump.

UMP registration is now formatted to be on an open and continuous basis, meaning that the Online Registration System will be accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. Unlike in the past, UMP will no longer have a limited window of opportunity for employees to register. With open and continuous registration, employees can register when they are ready to take advantage of the program’s benefits, not because of trying to beat a registration deadline.

If you already have a bachelor’s or master’s degree, you can submit, prior to registration, an UMP Promotional Application, UMP100B, for any dual or credential UMP target titles for which you think you are qualified. Copies of official transcripts must accompany your application. Submit by email to CMS.UMP100@illinois.gov or by mail to UMP, 1021 North Grand Ave. East, Springfield, IL 62702. Links to the UMP100B and Targeted Job Title Descriptions and requirements are available below.

The State of Illinois Upward Mobility Program is a career mobility program designed to give state employees an opportunity to advance to more challenging, higher paying positions. It is a joint venture between CMS and AFSCME. Employees receive individual counseling to inform them of the career opportunities available and to guide them in developing their career plans. Participants take proficiency exams and/or complete required education and training programs designed to provide the skills and knowledge needed for advancement.

Employees can work toward advancement in the following major career paths: Data Processing, Office Services, Accounting, Human Services, Criminal Justice, and Nursing.

Once an enrollee is formally accepted into the program, they will be assigned a career counselor who assists in identifying an appropriate job title and career path. Counselors also help employees develop an education plan, specifying the necessary coursework to be completed and identifying sources where the coursework may be available. Please note, enrollees are not eligible for program benefits (testing, time off, etc.) until they complete required paperwork with their assigned UMP counselor.

Participants pursuing a college degree must sign a work commitment of two years in state service after the date of their last class. Employees who voluntarily leave state service without fulfilling this commitment must reimburse tuition and fees paid by Upward Mobility at an annual 7% interest rate. Unpaid amounts will be referred to a collection agency.

An employee who does not enroll in a course or take a proficiency exam within 3 years will automatically be withdrawn from the program.

Please click on Eligibility & Enrollment above to access the online registration form.

Participants in the Upward Mobility Program have more than 50 targeted job titles to choose from.

Guidelines governing the Upward Mobility Program.

The UMP100B Application is only for use by Certified State of Illinois AFSCME employees under the jurisdiction of the Governor who already possess the necessary degree(s) and/or licensure for an Upward Mobility Program credential or dual title. Completed applications that are signed and accompanied by a copy of all official transcripts showing the degree conferred may be sent by mail to the UMP contact address or fax listed below or emailed to CMS.UMP100@illinois.gov.  A separate application is required for each job title.

Special Notice:  Effective January 1, 2023, the Upward Mobility Program will only accept the UMP100B application with the date of 2-2022 or newer.

The application is enabled with “Reader Extensions”, allowing it to be saved with the data entered. Adobe Reader version 8.0 or later is recommended to use this form, download Adobe Reader at http://get.adobe.com/reader/.

 Helpful Hints for Completing, Saving and Submitting the UMP100B Credential Title Application

UMP100B (Please right click to save your application before filling out the form.  See Helpful Hints.)

If you are like most people, you have probably experienced some degree of test anxiety at one time or another.

Test anxiety is the feeling of fear you have when your performance is about to be evaluated. When you experience this type of anxiety, your abilities to think and to pay attention drop at the time you need them most. What can you do to alleviate this anxiety you feel during the testing process?

The Upward Mobility Program and the AFSCME Personal Support Program have prepared a booklet, "Tips to Control Test Anxiety", which contains an overview of the many ways to better manage your test anxiety. Please follow the Step-by-Step method of controlling test anxiety. Check off the steps that you already follow and concentrate on those you may need. The booklet is in PDF format and may be viewed using Acrobat Reader. The UMP100B Application is only for use by Certified State of Illinois AFSCME employees under the jurisdiction of the Governor who already possess the necessary degree(s) and/or licensure for an Upward Mobility Program credential or dual title. Completed applications that are signed and accompanied by a copy of all official transcripts showing the degree conferred may be sent by mail to the UMP contact address below or emailed to CMS.UMP100@illinois.gov. Faxed applications will be accepted.

Upward Mobility Program
Sangamo Building
1021 North Grand Avenue East
Springfield, IL 62702
Hotline: 1-833-452-4836
TDD: 1-800-526-0844
Fax: 1-217-557-9635

E-Mail questions to: CMS.UMPCounselor@Illinois.gov>
E-Mail UMP100B Applications only to: CMS.UMP100@Illinois.gov

Springfield Centrex users may call:
524-1073 (voice)
785-3979 (TDD)

AFSCME Council 31
Upward Mobility Program Coordinator
615 S Second Street
P.O. Box 2328
Springfield, IL 62705-2328
Phone: 217-788-2800, Ext. 3348