SB3148 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 16400 KTG 35878 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
SB3148

Introduced 2/9/2010, by Sen. Edward D. Maloney

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Interdependence of Generations Task Force Act to develop Illinois' growing retiree population as a resource for mobilizing citizens of all ages and addressing community needs across generations. Contains provisions regarding the composition of the task force; the task force's responsibilities; and reporting requirements. Provides that the Department on Aging, in cooperation with the Intergenerational Initiative at Southern Illinois University School of Law's Center for Health Law and Policy, shall have primary responsibility for, and shall provide staffing and technical assistance and administrative support to, the Task Force in its efforts. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning aging.

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 Interdependence of Generations Task Force Act.

Section 5. Legislative findings. The General Assembly finds as follows:

(1) The State's population 50 years of age and older is projected to increase from 3.2 million in 2000 to 5.3 million by 2030, an increase of 63 percent, with a corresponding increase in the number of Illinois' retirees.

(2) Civic engagement - including lifelong learning, service and volunteer work - has been found to bring personal fulfillment, improved physical and mental health, and stronger social connections for retirees.

(3) Improved physical and mental health for Illinois retirees and the aged will lessen the strains inherent to the public healthcare system.

(4) Since the l960s, the policy agenda around aging has focused almost exclusively on the dependency needs of elders, not on their potential as a community resource.

(5) There is an ongoing high school dropout epidemic in this State. Each year almost one third of all public high school students - including nearly one half of all African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans - fail to graduate from public high school.

(6) A 2009 study through Washington University in St. Louis found that children at risk of dropping out dramatically increased their reading skills when they were tutored by older adults, and the older adults experienced positive health benefits through the civic engagement.

(7) Two factors will have a significant impact on the Illinois economy and predict future prosperity. The first is the cost of health care, particularly for older Illinoisans. The second is the educational level of the working population. A statewide effort to connect aging and education has implications for benefits to every community and for policy throughout the State. Schools have resources and facilities to help with promotion. Older adults have great potential to help dropouts and students who are our future workforce.

(8) Therefore, it is in the interest of the citizens of this State to develop Illinois' growing retiree population as a resource for mobilizing citizens of all ages and addressing community needs across generations.

Section 10. The Interdependence of Generations Task Force.

(a) The Interdependence of Generations Task Force is created.

(b) The Interdependence of Generations Task Force shall be appointed and hold its first meeting within 90 days after the effective date of this Act.

(c) The Task Force shall be comprised of the following individuals:

(1) the Director of the Illinois Department on Aging, or his or her designee, who shall serve as Chairperson;

(2) 4 members of the General Assembly, appointed one each by the following: one majority and one minority member of the Illinois Senate and one majority and one minority member of the Illinois House of Representatives; and

(3) the following members from the Illinois Policy Academy on the Civic Engagement of Older Adults:

(i) one representative of P-12 education;

(ii) one representative of community colleges;

(iii) one representative of higher education;

(iv) two representatives of retirees;

(v) two student members;

(vi) two representatives of statewide aging organizations;

(vii) two representatives of service organizations;

(viii) two representatives of foundations;

(ix) two representatives of business; and

(x) the Director of the Intergenerational Initiative (Center for Health Law and Policy, SIU School of Law) who shall serve as Task Force director.

(d) The Task Force members shall serve voluntarily and without compensation. Persons with disabilities serving on the Task Force shall be accommodated to enable them to fully participate in Task Force activities.

(e) The Department on Aging, in cooperation with the Intergenerational Initiative (Center for Health Law and Policy, SIU School of Law), shall have primary responsibility for, and shall provide staffing and technical assistance and administrative support to, the Task Force in its efforts. No appropriations shall be required for the Task Force to complete its duties.

(f) The Task Force shall extend an invitation to chairs and minority spokespersons of appropriate legislative committees to attend all meetings of the Task Force, and may invite other individuals who are not members of the Task Force to participate in subcommittees of the Task Force or to take part in discussions of topics for which those individuals have particular expertise.

(g) The Task Force shall coordinate its work with existing State advisory bodies whose work may include improving education, reducing the dropout rate, and civic engagement of retirees and the aged.

Section 15. Task Force responsibilities. The Task Force on the Interdependence of Generations shall be convened to study and make recommendations regarding the creative ways that aging (retiree organizations, organizations that serve older adults, and older adults themselves), education (schools, community colleges, and universities), and other public and private organizations can work together to address the challenges of education, tap the resources of older adults and students to strengthen the economy and benefit the community, and promote healthy lifestyles for all ages.

Section 20. Reporting. The Task Force shall make recommendations to the General Assembly and to the Governor, including legislative proposals, regulatory changes, systems changes, budget initiatives, and collaborative partnerships in the public and private sectors, that will promote the statewide effort to connect the aging population with opportunities for lifelong learning, employment, and service. These recommendations shall explain how fostering the relationship between older adults and education, economic development, and community service can be beneficial to all Illinoisans. The Task Force shall produce an annual report of its activities and recommendations that shall be issued no later than December 31, 2011.

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