Bill Text: IL HR0468 | 2009-2010 | 96th General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Urges that social justice be the guiding principle in decision making in the House of Representatives.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2009-05-31 - Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Annazette Collins [HR0468 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2009-HR0468-Introduced.html

---

HR0468 LRB096 13063 AJO 27628 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, During these turbulent and difficult economic
times, it is more important than ever that the concept of
social justice, the view that every member of our society is
deserving of equal economic, political, and social rights and
opportunities, be given the highest priority by elected State
officials; and
WHEREAS, Assuring social justice is a key element of the
Illinois Constitution as shown by the Preamble which states, in
part, that "We, the People of the State of Illinois ... in
order to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the
people; maintain a representative and orderly government;
eliminate poverty and inequality; assure legal, social and
economic justice; provide opportunity for the fullest
development of the individual; ... - do ordain and establish
this Constitution for the State of Illinois"; and
WHEREAS, Our American ideals recognize the value and
importance of the equality of opportunity; and
WHEREAS, Recognizing that when justice is achieved in every
aspect of society, rather than merely in the administration of
law, individuals and groups will be afforded fair treatment and
an impartial share of the benefits of society; and

HR0468 - 2 - LRB096 13063 AJO 27628 r
WHEREAS, It is proper for us to consider how we, as a
State, treat the most vulnerable among us and how our decisions
will affect those most in need of equal opportunities; and
WHEREAS, Differences of gender, race, ethnicity, age,
disability, health, religion, economic condition, or class
should not stand in the way of equal opportunities in
education, health care, or employment; and
WHEREAS, The inequality of educational opportunities in
Illinois is well known and thoroughly described in studies,
test results, and statistics assembled by the State Board of
Education; and
WHEREAS, The toll of violence, the troublesome number of
school dropouts, and the loss of life, hope, and opportunity
extracted from the victims of violence and the lives of our
school drop-outs tear at our communities; and
WHEREAS, Disparities in the availability and quality of
healthcare throughout Illinois highlight the lack of equal
opportunities for those in need of health care; and
WHEREAS, Rising unemployment in all sectors of our economy
and the human price paid by communities that experience high

HR0468 - 3 - LRB096 13063 AJO 27628 r
unemployment rates make it more important than ever that there
truly be equal opportunities in all phases of employment;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
the House, as a body, will endeavor to give a high priority to
social justice and allow that important principle to direct our
choices in matters both large and small and guide our decisions
in matters temporary or permanent; and be it further
RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
delivered to each member of the House so that it may serve as a
tangible reminder of the commitment each member has to this
noble priority.