Bill Text: IL SB0121 | 2013-2014 | 98th General Assembly | Engrossed

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 19-0)

Status: (Passed) 2014-07-02 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 98-0693 [SB0121 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2013-SB0121-Engrossed.html

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AN ACT concerning government.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Illinois African-American Family Commission
Act is amended by changing Sections 5, 15, 20, and 25 as
follows:
(20 ILCS 3903/5)
Sec. 5. Legislative findings. It is the policy of this
State to promote family preservation and to preserve and
strengthen families.
(a) Over 12 million people live in Illinois.
African-Americans represent 15% of the population and 26% of
the residents living in Cook County. Despite some progress over
the last few decades, African-Americans in Illinois continue to
lag behind other racial groups relative to indicators of
well-being in education, employment, income, and health.
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, just 26% of the
African-American population over 25 years of age in Illinois
completed their high school education; 6% held an associate's
degree; less than 10% (9%) held a bachelor's degree; less than
5% (3%) held a master's degree; and less than one percent held
either a professional (.8%) or doctoral (.4%) degree.
These levels of education attainment reflect more

SB0121 Engrossed - 2 - LRB098 04333 JDS 34361 b
fundamental problems with retaining African-Americans in
school. The Illinois State Board of Education reported that for
the 2001-2002 school year, 36,373, or 6%, of students enrolled
in public high schools dropped out. Thirty-nine percent of
these students were African-Americans; 38% were White; 21% were
Hispanic; and 2% were classified as Other.
Although African-Americans make up 18% of the high school
population, they are disproportionately represented in the
number of students who are suspended and expelled. In the
2001-2002 school year, 29,068 students were suspended from
school. Forty-seven percent were White, 37% were
African-American, 14% were Hispanic, and 1% were classified as
Other. In regards to expulsions Statewide, the total number of
high school students expelled was 1,651. Forty-three percent
were African-American, 41% were White, 14% were Hispanic, and
2% were classified as Other. Within Chicago public schools, 448
students were expelled. Seventy-seven of these students were
African-American; 27% were White; 14% were Hispanic; and 4%
were classified as Other. The fact that African-Americans are
more likely to be suspended or expelled from school also
contributes to the high dropout rate among African-American
high school students.
In addition to educational challenges, African-Americans
face challenges in the areas of employment and income. In the
year 2000, the unemployment rate for African-Americans age 16
years or older was 15% compared to only 6% for the total

SB0121 Engrossed - 3 - LRB098 04333 JDS 34361 b
Illinois population. Moreover, the median household income of
African-Americans in Illinois was $31,699 compared to $46,590
for the total Illinois population, and the percentage of
African-American families below the poverty level in Illinois
was 26% percent in 1999 compared to 10.7% for the total
Illinois population in that same year.
Indicators of child welfare and criminal justice reveal
still more challenges that African-American families face in
Illinois. In 2000, African-American children represented 18%
of children 18 years of age and under, but comprised 73% of
children in substitute care. African-Americans are also
overrepresented in the criminal justice population. Of the
total Illinois adult inmate population in the year 2000, 65%
were African-American. During this same time period,
African-American youth represented 58% of the juvenile inmate
population in Illinois.
While the leading causes of death among African-Americans
are the same as those for the general population in Illinois,
African-Americans have a higher rate of death per 100,000
residents. The rate of overall deaths per 100,000 residents
among African-Americans in the year 2000 was 1,181; 847 for
Whites; and 411 for those classified as Other. The rate of
cancer-related deaths per 100,000 residents by racial or ethnic
groups in 2000 was: 278 African-Americans; 206 Whites; and 110
of those classified as Other. The rate of diabetes-related
deaths per 100,000 residents among African-Americans in 2000

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was 41 compared to 23 for Whites and 13 for those classified as
Other. The rate of deaths per 100,000 residents by heart
disease among African-Americans in 2000 was 352 compared to 257
for Whites and 120 for those classified as Other. The rate of
deaths per 100,000 residents by stroke among African-Americans
in 2000 was 75; 60 for Whites; and 35 for those classified as
Other.
African-Americans had higher rates of smoking and obesity
than other racial groups in Illinois in 2001. African-Americans
accounted for more of the new adult/adolescent AIDS cases,
cumulative adult/adolescent AIDS cases, and number of people
living with AIDS than other racial groups in Illinois in the
year 2002. Still, 23% of uninsured persons in Illinois are
African-American.
(b) The Illinois African-American Family Commission
continues to be an essential key to promoting the preservation
and strengthening of families. As of the effective date of this
amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly, just under 13
million people live in Illinois. African-Americans represent
15% of the population and 25% of the residents living in Cook
County. Despite some progress over the last few decades,
African-Americans in Illinois continue to lag behind other
racial groups relative to indicators of well-being in
education, employment, income, and health. According to the
2010 federal decennial census: just 28% of the African-American
population over 25 years of age in Illinois completed their

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high school education; 36% had some college or an associate's
degree; less than 12% held a bachelor's degree; less than 8%
held either a graduate or professional degree.
These levels of education attainment reflect more
fundamental problems with retaining African-Americans in
school. The State Board of Education reported that for the
2010-2011 school year, 18,210, or 2.77%, of students enrolled
in public high schools dropped out. 39.3% of these students
were African-Americans; 32.6% were White; 24.2% were Hispanic;
and 2% were classified as Other.
Although African-Americans make up 20% of the high school
population, they are disproportionately represented in the
number of students who are suspended and expelled. In the
2011-2012 school year, 29,928 students were suspended from
school. 36% were White, 34% were African-American, 26% were
Hispanic, and 4% were classified as Other. With regard to
expulsions statewide, the total number of high school students
expelled was 982. 37% were African-American, 41% were White,
21% were Hispanic, and 2% were classified as Other. Within
Chicago public schools, 294 students were expelled. 80% of
these students were African-American; none were White; 17% were
Hispanic; and 3% were classified as Other. The fact that
African-Americans are more likely to be suspended or expelled
from school also contributes to the high dropout rate among
African-American high school students.
In addition to educational challenges, African-Americans

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face challenges in the areas of employment and income. In the
year 2010, the unemployment rate for African-Americans age 16
years or older was 16% compared to only 9% for the total
Illinois population. Moreover, the median household income of
African-Americans in Illinois was $34,874 compared to $60,433
for the total Illinois population, and the percentage of
African-American families below the poverty level in Illinois
was 32% percent in 2012 compared to 15% for the total Illinois
population in that same year.
Indicators of child welfare and criminal justice reveal
still more challenges that African-American families face in
Illinois. In 2010, African-American children represented 14%
of children 18 years of age and under, but comprised 56% of
children in substitute care. African-Americans are also
overrepresented in the criminal justice population. Of the
total Illinois adult inmate population in the year 2012, 57%
were African-American. During this same time period,
African-American youth represented 66% of the juvenile inmate
population in Illinois.
While the leading causes of death among African-Americans
are the same as those for the general population in Illinois,
African-Americans have a higher rate of death per 100,000
residents. The rate of overall deaths per 100,000 residents
among African-Americans in the year 2010 was 898; 741 for
Whites; and 458 for those classified as Other. The rate of
cancer-related deaths per 100,000 residents by racial or ethnic

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groups in 2010 was 216 for African-Americans; 179 for Whites;
and 124 for those classified as Other. The rate of
diabetes-related deaths per 100,000 residents among
African-Americans in 2010 was 114 compared to 66 for Whites and
75 for those classified as Other. The rate of deaths per
100,000 residents by heart disease among African-Americans in
2010 was 232 compared to 179 for Whites and 121 for those
classified as Other. The rate of deaths per 100,000 residents
by stroke among African-Americans in 2010 was 108; 73 for
Whites; and 56 for those classified as Other.
African-Americans had higher rates of smoking and obesity
than other racial groups in Illinois in 2013. African-Americans
accounted for more of the new adult/adolescent AIDS cases,
cumulative adult/adolescent AIDS cases, and number of people
living with AIDS than other racial groups in Illinois in the
year 2013. Still, 24% of uninsured persons in Illinois are
African-American.
(c) These huge disparities in education, employment,
income, child welfare, criminal justice, and health
demonstrate the tremendous challenges facing the
African-American family in Illinois. These challenges are
severe. There is a need for government, child and family
advocates, and other key stakeholders to create and implement
public policies to address the health and social crises facing
African-American families. The development of given solutions
clearly transcends any one State agency and requires a

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coordinated effort. The Illinois African-American Family
Commission shall assist State agencies with this task.
The African-American Family Commission was created in
October 1994 by Executive Order to assist the Illinois
Department of Children and Family Services in developing and
implementing programs and public policies that affect the
State's child welfare system. The Commission has a proven track
record of bringing State agencies, community providers, and
consumers together to address child welfare issues. The ability
of the Commission to address the above-mentioned health issues,
community factors, and the personal well-being of
African-American families and children has been limited due to
the Executive Order's focus on child welfare. It is apparent
that broader issues of health, mental health, criminal justice,
education, and economic development also directly affect the
health and well-being of African-American families and
children. Accordingly, the role of the Illinois
African-American Family Commission is hereby expanded to
encompass working relationships with every department, agency,
and commission within State government if any of its activities
impact African-American children and families. The focus of the
Commission is hereby restructured and shall exist by
legislative mandate to engage State agencies in its efforts to
preserve and strengthen African-American families.
(Source: P.A. 93-867, eff. 8-5-04.)

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(20 ILCS 3903/15)
Sec. 15. Purpose and objectives.
(a) The purpose of the Illinois African-American Family
Commission is to advise the Governor and General Assembly, as
well as work directly with State agencies, to improve and
expand existing policies, services, programs, and
opportunities for African-American families. The Illinois
African-American Family Commission shall guide the efforts of
and collaborate with State agencies, including: the Department
on Aging, the Department of Children and Family Services, the
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the
Department of Corrections, the Department of Human Services,
the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the
Department of Public Health, the Department of Transportation,
the Department of Employment Security, and others. This shall
be achieved primarily by: to improve and expand existing human
services and educational and community development programs
for African-Americans. This will be achieved by:
(1) Monitoring and commenting on existing and proposed
legislation and programs designed to address the needs of
African-Americans in Illinois;
(2) Assisting State agencies in developing programs,
services, public policies, and research strategies that
will expand and enhance the social and economic well-being
of African-American children and families; and
(3) Facilitating the participation of and

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representation of African-Americans in the development,
implementation, and planning of policies, programs, and
community-based services; and .
(4) Promoting research efforts to document the impact
of policies and programs on African-American families.
The work of the Illinois African-American Family
Commission shall include the use of existing reports, research
and planning efforts, procedures, and programs.
(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)
(20 ILCS 3903/20)
Sec. 20. Appointment; terms. The Illinois African-American
Family Commission shall be comprised of 15 members.
For those seats on the Commission with terms that expire in
2015, and for subsequent appointments to those seats, the
Governor, the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of
the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and
the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives shall each
appoint one member to the Commission.
For those seats on the Commission with terms that expire in
2016, and for subsequent appointments to those seats, the
Governor, the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of
the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and
the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives shall each
appoint one member to the Commission.
For those seats on the Commission with terms that expire in

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2017, and for subsequent appointments to those seats, the
Governor shall appoint 5 members to the Commission who shall be
appointed by the Governor.
Each member shall have a working knowledge of human
services, community development, and economic public policies
in Illinois. The Governor shall appoint the chairperson or
chairpersons.
The members shall reflect regional representation to
ensure that the needs of African-American families and children
throughout the State of Illinois are met. The members shall be
selected from a variety of disciplines. They shall be
representative of a partnership and collaborative effort
between public and private agencies, the business sector, and
community-based human services organizations.
Members shall serve 3-year terms, except in the case of
initial appointments. One-third of initially appointed
members, as determined by lot, shall be appointed to 1-year
terms; 1/3 shall be appointed to 2-year terms; and 1/3 shall be
appointed to 3-year terms, so that the terms are staggered.
Members will serve without compensation, but shall be
reimbursed for Commission-related expenses.
The Department on Aging, the Department of Children and
Family Services, the Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity, the Department of Corrections, the Department of
Human Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family
Services, the Department of Public Health, the State Board of

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Education, the Board of Higher Education, the Illinois
Community College Board, the Department of Human Rights, the
Capital Development Board, the Department of Labor, and the
Department of Transportation shall each appoint a liaison to
serve ex-officio on the Commission. The Office of the Governor,
in cooperation with the State agencies appointing liaisons to
the Commission under this Section, shall provide
administrative support to the Commission.
(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)
(20 ILCS 3903/25)
Sec. 25. Funding. The African-American Family Commission
may shall receive funding through appropriations available for
its purposes made to the Department on Aging, the Department of
Children and Family Services, the Department of Commerce and
Economic Opportunity, the Department of Corrections, the
Department of Human Services, the Department of Healthcare and
Family Services (formerly Department of Public Aid), the
Department of Public Health, the State Board of Education, the
Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College
Board, the Department of Human Rights, the Capital Development
Board, the Department of Labor, and the Department of
Transportation. Beginning on July 1, 2014, and every July 1
thereafter, the funding allocation for the Commission shall be
no less than $500,000. The Commission may also receive and
expend funding from federal and private sources, including

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gifts, donations, and private grants.
(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)