Bill Text: IL SB1623 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Chaptered

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Bill Title: Creates the Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force Act. Creates the Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall develop a statewide plan to connect existing local projects and new projects to create a cohesive statewide history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois while creating new educational and tourism opportunities for the State. Establishes the membership of the Task Force. Provides that the members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall provide administrative and technical support to the Task Force. Provides that all members of the Task Force shall be appointed within 30 days after the effective date of the Act. Provides that the Task Force shall review available research, existing infrastructure and projects, best practices, and effective interventions to formulate recommendations. Provides that the Task Force shall prepare a report detailing the Task Force's findings and recommendations and needed resources. Provides that the Task Force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor on or before July 1, 2024. Provides that the Task Force is dissolved, and the Act is repealed, on January 1, 2025.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 24-8)

Status: (Passed) 2023-06-09 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 103-0097 [SB1623 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SB1623-Chaptered.html

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Public Act 103-0097
SB1623 Enrolled LRB103 27591 DTM 53967 b
AN ACT concerning State government.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force Act.
Section 5. Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force. The
Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force is created. The
Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force shall develop a
statewide plan to connect existing local projects and new
projects to create a cohesive statewide history of the
Underground Railroad in Illinois, while developing new
educational and tourism opportunities for this State.
Section 10. Task Force members.
(a) The Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force shall be
composed of the following members:
(1) one member appointed by the President of the
Senate;
(2) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the
Senate;
(3) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House
of Representatives;
(4) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the

House of Representatives;
(5) one member appointed by the Governor;
(6) the Director of Natural Resources or the
Director's designee;
(7) the Director of the Illinois State Archives or the
Director's designee;
(8) the President of the Illinois State Historical
Society or the President's designee;
(9) the President of the NAACP Illinois State
Conference or the President's designee; and
(10) the Clerk of Tazewell County.
(b) The members of the Task Force shall serve without
compensation.
(c) The Department of Natural Resources shall provide
administrative and technical support to the Task Force. All
members of the Task Force shall be appointed within 30 days
after the effective date of this Act.
Section 15. Meetings, report.
(a) The Task Force shall meet at least 3 times with the
first meeting occurring within 60 days after the effective
date of this Act.
(b) The Task Force shall review available research,
existing infrastructure and projects, best practices, and
effective interventions to formulate recommendations.
(c) The Task Force shall prepare a report detailing the

Task Force's findings and recommendations and needed
resources. The Task Force shall submit a report of its
findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the
Governor on or before July 1, 2024.
Section 20. Repeal and dissolution of Task Force. The Task
Force is dissolved, and this Act is repealed, on January 1,
2025.