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Upward Mobility Program
Registration & Counseling Announcement
NOTICE: EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY all Upward Mobility participants who have received an UMP title and are interested in obtaining a position must actively apply for posted positions through the internal employee portal at https://illinois.jobs2web.com/. Be sure to UPLOAD all UMP grade notices to receive UMP credit for a title in the application and filling of vacancies prior to the closing of the posting period. UMP eligibility lists are no longer used.
If you need grade information for previously earned titles, please email CMS.UMPCounselor@illinois.gov.
CMS Career Counselors are available by appointment to assist you in creating your account in the career portal for State of Illinois employees and to advise you on how to use the new application process at CMS.CounselingByEmail@illinois.gov. Tutorials are available at https://illinois.jobs2web.com/.
Employees who already have a bachelor’s or master’s degree, 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.
CMS Assessment Center Status Update for UMP Participants
Assessment Centers are currently open by appointment only for UMP Participants. Call-in and Walk-in appointments and services at all locations are unavailable. All Upward Mobility Program testers must be in possession of a Proficiency Examination Registration form (PER) prior to scheduling an exam. A PER must be presented to the Assessment Center at the time of scheduling to reserve a time slot. Click here for Assessment Center contact information. Due to limited seating, please consider taking your tests now to be prepared for upcoming postings.
Upward Mobility Program Purpose
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/.
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.
Contact Information
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