Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HJR0012

HJ0012 Engrossed LRB104 11039 MST 21121 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 12

WHEREAS, Health insurance for educators throughout our State has become increasingly unaffordable; and

WHEREAS, Many school districts find themselves facing financial stress to provide a quality public education for our students and to offer a reasonable compensation package that attracts, retains, and rewards educational employees; and

WHEREAS, Illinois has staffing shortages in 62% of its education agencies, which include K-12 schools, special education cooperatives, and career centers, according to a report published by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools; and

WHEREAS, The number of educator vacancies throughout Illinois exceeds 7,000 trained professionals; and

WHEREAS, Local governments continue to do more with less, and the idea of creating health insurance efficiencies should be explored; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Educator Health Insurance Task Force is created to study the feasibility of creating regional health insurance purchasing pools of school districts accessible to all public educators in school districts that have a population of less than 500,000; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall consist of the following members who will serve without compensation:

(1) One member of the Senate appointed by the Senate President, who shall serve as Co-Chair;

(2) One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the House Speaker, who shall serve as Co-Chair;

(3) One member of the Senate appointed by the Senate Minority Leader;

(4) One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the House Minority Leader;

(5) One person representing an association that advocates on behalf of school boards appointed by the Governor;

(6) One person representing an association that advocates on behalf of school management appointed by the Governor;

(7) Two persons each representing an association that advocates on behalf of certified teachers appointed by the Governor;

(8) Two persons each representing an association that advocates on behalf of educational support staff appointed by the Governor; and

(9) The Director of the Department of Central Management Services or his or her designee; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Central Management Services shall provide administrative support for the Task Force along with the relevant resources necessary for the Task Force to complete a comprehensive report to the General Assembly; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall conduct a minimum of two public hearings in at least two different counties within the State at the call of the co-chairs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall convene a wide array of stakeholders to examine the current provision of health insurance to public educators from throughout the State and to explore and study the viability of a plan to create at least four regional insurance purchasing pools; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall explore local governance options for these pools, study the costs and funding associated with this type of health insurance option, consider transition plans and costs for school districts to participate, consider healthcare accessibility, find ways to integrate the program with efficiencies in state government, and consider a variety of health insurance benefits and options while studying the feasibility of regional pools; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force may study a statewide Educator Health Insurance Program; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall submit its final report to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2026, and upon the filing of its final report, the Task Force is dissolved; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Senate President, the Speaker of the House, the Senate Minority Leader, the House Minority Leader, the Governor, and the State Superintendent of Education.