SB0752eng 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB0752 Engrossed LRB100 07373 RJF 17437 b

AN ACT concerning government.

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

Section 5. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission Act is amended by changing Sections 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 as follows:

(20 ILCS 3932/5)

Sec. 5. Definitions. As used in this Act, unless the context requires otherwise:

"Chairperson" means the Chairperson of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission.

"Commission" means the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission.

"Commissioner" means a resident of the State who is appointed and confirmed by the Senate to govern the Commission.

"Director" means the Director of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission, its Chief Executive Officer.

"Vice-Chairperson" means the Vice-Chairperson of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission.

(Source: P.A. 89-680, eff. 1-1-97.)

(20 ILCS 3932/10)

Sec. 10. Commission. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission is created as an executive agency of State government. The Commission shall be composed of 11 commissioners members, governed by a chairperson, and headed by a Director, who shall serve as its chief executive officer director.

(Source: P.A. 89-680, eff. 1-1-97.)

(20 ILCS 3932/15)

Sec. 15. Commission membership.

(a) The Commission shall be composed of 11 commissioners voting members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate from residents of the State whose position, knowledge, or experience enables them to reasonably represent the concerns, needs, and recommendations of deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing persons. At a minimum, 8 commissioners 6 voting members of the Commission shall be persons who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing, and the Commission shall consist of the following: .

(1) one parent or guardian of a deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing minor child;

(2) one licensed sign language interpreter for the deaf or faculty member from an interpreter education program;

(3) one educator of the deaf or faculty member from a deaf education program;

(4) one Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the deaf or mental health professional for the deaf;

(5) one representative from a Center of Independent Living or community-based organization that serves a deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing population;

(6) one deafblind representative;

(7) one late-deafened representative; and

(8) four members at large who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The Chairperson of the Commission shall be elected from the Commission's membership by a simple majority vote of the total membership of the Commission. The Vice-Chairperson of the Commission shall be elected from the Commission's membership by a simple majority vote of the total membership of the Commission.

(b) The Governor shall consider nominations made by advocacy groups for the deaf and hard of hearing and community-based organizations.

(c) Of the initial commissioners members appointed by the Governor, 3 shall be appointed to terms of one year, 4 shall be appointed to terms of 2 years, and 4 shall be appointed to terms of 3 years. Thereafter, all commissioners members shall be appointed for terms of 3 years. No commissioner member shall serve more than 2 consecutive terms. A commissioner member shall serve until his or her successor is appointed and qualified.

(d) Initial commissioners' members' terms of office shall be chosen by lot at the initial meeting of the Commission.

(e) Vacancies in Commission membership shall be filled in the same manner as initial appointments. Appointments to fill vacancies occurring before the expiration of a term shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(f) Commissioners Members shall not receive compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties plus up to $50 per day for any actual loss of wages incurred in the performance of their duties.

(g) Total membership consists of the number of commissioners voting members, as defined in this Section, excluding any vacant positions. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of total membership and shall be sufficient to conduct the transaction of business of the Commission unless stipulated otherwise in the by-laws of the Commission.

(h) The Commission shall meet at least quarterly.

(Source: P.A. 93-647, eff. 6-1-04.)

(20 ILCS 3932/20)

Sec. 20. Director. The Director of the Commission shall have knowledge, experience, and background regarding the unique issues, programs, and services of deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing individuals; be fluent in American Sign Language; have a minimum of a bachelor's degree; and a minimum of 5 years' experience in a deafness related leadership or management capacity. The foregoing qualifications shall apply to anyone who becomes Director on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly. The Director shall be employed at-will, serve at the leisure of the Commission and shall be hired, supervised, evaluated, and terminated by the Commission. The Director, under the direction of the Commission, shall carry out the policies, programs, and activities of the Commission. The Director shall employ, in accordance with the provisions of the Illinois Personnel Code, manage, and organize the staff of the Commission as he or she deems appropriate.

(Source: P.A. 93-647, eff. 6-1-04.)

(20 ILCS 3932/25)

Sec. 25. Powers and duties of the Commission. The Commission shall be a coordinating and advocating body that acts on behalf of the interests of persons in Illinois who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing, including children, adults, senior citizens, and those with any additional disability. The Commission shall submit an annual report of its activities to the Governor and the General Assembly on January 1st of each year. The Commission shall:

(1) Make available and provide an educational and informational program through printed materials, workshop and training sessions, presentations, demonstrations, and public awareness events about hearing loss for citizens in Illinois and for public and private entities. The program shall include, but not be limited to, information concerning information and referral services, lending libraries, service and resource availability, the interpreter registry, accessibility and accommodation issues, assistive technology, empowerment issues, support service providers for the deafblind, obligations of service providers and employers, educational options, and current federal and State statutes, regulations, and policies regarding hearing loss.

(2) Cooperate and work with public and private agencies and local, State, and federal governments to coordinate programs for persons who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing.

(3) Provide technical assistance, consultation, and training support to start and enhance existing programs and services for persons who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing.

(4) Evaluate and monitor State programs delivering services to deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing persons to determine their effectiveness; identify, advocate for, and promote new services or programs whenever necessary; and propose solutions make recommendations to public officials about changes necessary to improve the quality and delivery of services, programs, and activities and about future financial support to continue existing programs and establish new programs.

(5) Monitor State funded programs delivering services to persons who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing to determine the extent that promised and mandated services are delivered.

(6) Review, evaluate, and participate in the development of, and advocate for, proposed and amended statutes, rules, regulations, and policies relating to services, programs, and activities for deaf and hard of hearing persons and make recommendations on existing statutes, rules, regulations, and policies to the Governor, General Assembly, and State agencies.

(7) Promote cooperation among State and local agencies providing educational programs for deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

(8) Establish rules and regulations related to evaluation, certification, licensure, and training standards of interpreters for deaf and hard of hearing persons.

(9) Receive, coordinate, and monitor complaints filed with the Commission of alleged violations of the rights of deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing individuals; contact appropriate parties involved to obtain additional information, explain the rights of deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing individuals, and attempt to negotiate a satisfactory resolution of complaints; and refer or assist with filing of complex cases to the Illinois Attorney General, the Illinois Department of Human Rights, the Illinois Human Rights Commission, or to an appropriate federal civil rights enforcement agency.

(Source: P.A. 93-647, eff. 6-1-04.)