Bill Text: IL HJR0054 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Urges the Illinois Senate and the Illinois House of Representatives to create a joint legislative cancer caucus, to be known as the Illinois Legislative Cancer Caucus, to provide a forum for discussing and evaluating public policies affecting cancer research, treatment, education, and prevention efforts.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 30-10)

Status: (Passed) 2017-07-04 - Adopted Both Houses [HJR0054 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-HJR0054-Introduced.html

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Forty-six years ago, with the passage of the
National Cancer Act of 1971, leaders of the United States came
together to establish cancer research and patient care as
public health priorities; and
WHEREAS, In 2017, an estimated 600,920 Americans, or more
than 1,640 people a day, are expected to die of cancer; and
WHEREAS, Cancer is the second most common cause of death in
the United States, exceeded only by heart disease; and
WHEREAS, In the United States, cancer accounts for nearly
one in every four deaths; and
WHEREAS, The risk of being diagnosed with cancer increases
with age, with 91% of new cases occurring at age 45 or later;
and
WHEREAS, In the United States, men have slightly less than
a one in two lifetime risk of developing cancer; and
WHEREAS, In the United States, women have slightly more
than a one in three lifetime risk of developing cancer; and

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WHEREAS, A total of 64,720 new cases of cancer among
Illinois residents were reported in 2017; and
WHEREAS, In 2017, the American Cancer Society reported an
estimated 20,040 cancer deaths in Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Cancer touches everyone, either through a direct,
personal diagnosis or indirectly through the diagnosis of a
family member or friend; and
WHEREAS, According to the Sanger Institute, the Cancer Gene
Census has identified more than 600 cancer-related genes, and
the list of those genes will continue growing as researchers
continue identifying genomic changes associated with different
types of cancer; and
WHEREAS, Other external factors affect cancer risks,
including, but not limited to, nutrition, physical activity,
safe neighborhoods, healthy foods, access to education, and
differences in occupational hazards, environmental exposure to
pollution and other toxins; and
WHEREAS, According to the American Association for Cancer
Research, advances in chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and
palliative care have led to important improvements in patient
care and, as a result, increases in survival rates associated

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with many cancers, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia,
Hodgkin's disease, aggressive lymphomas, and testicular
cancer; and
WHEREAS, Advances in cancer care, including early
detection and high-quality treatment programs, and access to
health care coverage are necessary to provide cancer patients
with an efficient and effective continuum of care; and
WHEREAS, Public policy can influence and support efficient
cancer care by mitigating some of the economic and public
health burdens on State agencies, including the Department of
Public Health, the Department of Healthcare and Family
Services, and the Department of Human Services; therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE
CONCURRING HEREIN, that an urgent and significant need exists
to discuss and evaluate public policies affecting cancer
research, treatment, education, and prevention efforts; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That the Illinois Senate and the Illinois House
of Representatives, by this resolution, express their support
for the establishment of a joint legislative cancer caucus, to

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be formally known as the Illinois Legislative Cancer Caucus;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Illinois Legislative Cancer Caucus
shall act as a forum for legislators and affiliate members to
learn about important public health issues related to cancer
and to evaluate legislative proposals concerning those issues;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the members and affiliate members of the
Illinois Legislative Cancer Caucus shall work to increase
awareness and promote policies to prevent, treat, and educate
the public about cancer, with the ultimate goal of identifying
solutions to unmet needs; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Illinois Legislative Cancer Caucus
shall work to strengthen community support programs, to meet
the diverse needs of Illinois citizens, and to support programs
that make treatment options available to the medically
indigent; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the organizing members of the Illinois
General Assembly respectfully request recognition within the
Illinois General Assembly as the official caucus for issues
related to cancer prevention, treatment, and education
efforts; and be it further

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RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
distributed to the members of the General Assembly, the
Governor, the Director of Public Health, the Director of
Healthcare and Family Services, and the Secretary of Human
Services.