SR1002enr 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

09800SR1002 Enrolled LRB098 20582 MST 56852 r

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1002

WHEREAS, The essence of American Democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people, and that democracy reflects the engagement and leadership of all generations and the premise that citizens can serve; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the lifespan, service instills the knowledge that citizenship brings responsibility and that everyone has talents and skills to make their community a better place; and

WHEREAS, Service brings opportunities for learning that boost student success, focus on new skills for workers, and embrace the gifts of older generations to address community needs and bring a spirit of involvement; and

WHEREAS, Research by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that administers the national service programs AmeriCorps and Senior Corps, revealed that 27.4% of Illinoisans volunteered in 2012, contributing 286,000,000 hours to the most pressing challenges of communities; and

WHEREAS, Research by Generations Serving Generations, a public/private partnership launched by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, concluded that many Illinoisans who do not volunteer would like to, but simply do not know how to get connected to service opportunities; and

WHEREAS, Generations Serving Generations and leaders from AGING & RETIREE ORGANIZATIONS (The Illinois Department on Aging, the Association of Area Agencies on Aging, the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund), EDUCATION (Illinois Board of Higher Education, the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Community College Board, the Council of Community College Presidents, and the Illinois State Library), SERVICE (the Serve Illinois Commission, the Corporation for National and Community Service, and Illinois Campus Compact), BUSINESS (Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce), FOUNDATIONS (Robert R. McCormick Foundation and the Retirement Research Foundation), and others, join together in supporting a Call to Service; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that it is in the interest of the citizens of this State to strengthen the infrastructure of volunteerism as a resource for meeting the challenges of education, promoting healthy lifestyles for all ages, and boosting the independence of older generations; and be it further

RESOLVED, That by December 31, 2014, Generations Serving Generations, in collaboration with the State leadership in education, aging, service, and the private sector, will convene a Senate Forum and prepare recommendations on strengthening the infrastructure of volunteerism and national service; and be it further

RESOLVED, That 2015 will be set as a Year of Service and Civic Engagement, that will engage all generations as participants, planners, organizers, and leaders of the volunteer infrastructure.