Public Act 0376 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB0804 Enrolled LRB096 03644 RLJ 13672 b

Public Act 096-0376

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Act on the Aging is amended by adding Section 8.08 as follows:

(20 ILCS 105/8.08 new)

Sec. 8.08. Older direct care worker recognition. The Department shall present one award annually to older direct care workers in each of the following categories: Older American Act Services, Home Health Services, Community Care Program Services, Nursing Homes, and programs that provide housing with services licensed or certified by the State. The Department shall solicit nominations from associations representing providers of the named services or settings and trade associations representing applicable direct care workers. Nominations shall be presented in a format designated by the Department. Direct care workers honored with this award must be 55 years of age or older and shall be recognized for their dedication and commitment to improving the quality of aging in Illinois above and beyond the confines of their job description. Award recipients shall be honored before their peers at the Governor's Conference on Aging or at a similar venue, shall have their pictures displayed on the Department's website with their permission, and shall receive a letter of commendation from the Governor. The Department shall consult with the Coordinating Committee of State Agencies Serving Older Persons to determine which of the nominees shall be the recipient in each category of service provision or setting. The Department shall include the recipients of these awards in all Senior Hall of Fame displays required by the Act on Aging. Except as otherwise prohibited by law, the Department may solicit private sector funding to underwrite the cost of all awards and recognition materials and shall request that all associations representing providers of the named services or settings and trade associations applicable to direct care workers publicize the awards and the award recipients in communications with their members.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.