Public Act 093-0867
 
SB3208 Enrolled LRB093 18976 RAS 44711 b

    AN ACT concerning commissions.
 
    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
Illinois African-American Family Commission Act.
 
    Section 5. Legislative findings. It is the policy of this
State to promote family preservation and to preserve and
strengthen families. Over 12 million people live in Illinois.
African-Americans represent 15% of the population and 26% of
the residents living in Cook County. Despite some progress over
the last few decades, African-Americans in Illinois continue to
lag behind other racial groups relative to indicators of
well-being in education, employment, income, and health.
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, just 26% of the
African-American population over 25 years of age in Illinois
completed their high school education; 6% held an associate's
degree; less than 10% (9%) held a bachelor's degree; less than
5% (3%) held a master's degree; and less than one percent held
either a professional (.8%) or doctoral (.4%) degree.
    These levels of education attainment reflect more
fundamental problems with retaining African-Americans in
school. The Illinois State Board of Education reported that for
the 2001-2002 school year, 36,373, or 6%, of students enrolled
in public high schools dropped out. Thirty-nine percent of
these students were African-Americans; 38% were White; 21% were
Hispanic; and 2% were classified as Other.
    Although African-Americans make up 18% of the high school
population, they are disproportionately represented in the
number of students who are suspended and expelled. In the
2001-2002 school year, 29,068 students were suspended from
school. Forty-seven percent were White, 37% were
African-American, 14% were Hispanic, and 1% were classified as
Other. In regards to expulsions Statewide, the total number of
high school students expelled was 1,651. Forty-three percent
were African-American, 41% were White, 14% were Hispanic, and
2% were classified as Other. Within Chicago public schools, 448
students were expelled. Seventy-seven of these students were
African-American; 27% were White; 14% were Hispanic; and 4%
were classified as Other. The fact that African-Americans are
more likely to be suspended or expelled from school also
contributes to the high dropout rate among African-American
high school students.
    In addition to educational challenges, African-Americans
face challenges in the areas of employment and income. In the
year 2000, the unemployment rate for African-Americans age 16
years or older was 15% compared to only 6% for the total
Illinois population. Moreover, the median household income of
African-Americans in Illinois was $31,699 compared to $46,590
for the total Illinois population, and the percentage of
African-American families below the poverty level in Illinois
was 26% percent in 1999 compared to 10.7% for the total
Illinois population in that same year.
    Indicators of child welfare and criminal justice reveal
still more challenges that African-American families face in
Illinois. In 2000, African-American children represented 18%
of children 18 years of age and under, but comprised 73% of
children in substitute care. African-Americans are also
overrepresented in the criminal justice population. Of the
total Illinois adult inmate population in the year 2000, 65%
were African-American. During this same time period,
African-American youth represented 58% of the juvenile inmate
population in Illinois.
    While the leading causes of death among African-Americans
are the same as those for the general population in Illinois,
African-Americans have a higher rate of death per 100,000
residents. The rate of overall deaths per 100,000 residents
among African-Americans in the year 2000 was 1,181; 847 for
Whites; and 411 for those classified as Other. The rate of
cancer-related deaths per 100,000 residents by racial or ethnic
groups in 2000 was: 278 African-Americans; 206 Whites; and 110
of those classified as Other. The rate of diabetes-related
deaths per 100,000 residents among African-Americans in 2000
was 41 compared to 23 for Whites and 13 for those classified as
Other. The rate of deaths per 100,000 residents by heart
disease among African-Americans in 2000 was 352 compared to 257
for Whites and 120 for those classified as Other. The rate of
deaths per 100,000 residents by stroke among African-Americans
in 2000 was 75; 60 for Whites; and 35 for those classified as
Other.
    African-Americans had higher rates of smoking and obesity
than other racial groups in Illinois in 2001. African-Americans
accounted for more of the new adult/adolescent AIDS cases,
cumulative adult/adolescent AIDS cases, and number of people
living with AIDS than other racial groups in Illinois in the
year 2002. Still, 23% of uninsured persons in Illinois are
African-American.
    These huge disparities in education, employment, income,
child welfare, criminal justice, and health demonstrate the
tremendous challenges facing the African-American family in
Illinois. These challenges are severe. There is a need for
government, child and family advocates, and other key
stakeholders to create and implement public policies to address
the health and social crises facing African-American families.
The development of given solutions clearly transcends any one
State agency and requires a coordinated effort. The Illinois
African-American Family Commission shall assist State agencies
with this task.
    The African-American Family Commission was created in
October 1994 by Executive Order to assist the Illinois
Department of Children and Family Services in developing and
implementing programs and public policies that affect the
State's child welfare system. The Commission has a proven track
record of bringing State agencies, community providers, and
consumers together to address child welfare issues. The ability
of the Commission to address the above-mentioned health issues,
community factors, and the personal well-being of
African-American families and children has been limited due to
the Executive Order's focus on child welfare. It is apparent
that broader issues of health, mental health, criminal justice,
education, and economic development also directly affect the
health and well-being of African-American families and
children. Accordingly, the role of the African-American Family
Commission is hereby expanded to encompass working
relationships with every department, agency, and commission
within State government if any of its activities impact
African-American children and families. The focus of the
Commission is hereby restructured and shall exist by
legislative mandate to engage State agencies in its efforts to
preserve and strengthen African-American families.
 
    Section 10. Illinois African-American Family Commission
established. The African-American Family Commission shall be
renamed and established as the Illinois African-American
Family Commission.
 
    Section 15. Purpose and objectives.
    (a) The purpose of the Illinois African-American Family
Commission is to guide the efforts of and collaborate with the
Department on Aging, the Department of Children and Family
Services, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity,
the Department of Corrections, the Department of Human
Services, the Department of Public Aid, the Department of
Public Health, the Department of Transportation, and others to
improve and expand existing human services and educational and
community development programs for African-Americans. This
will be achieved by:
        (1) Monitoring existing legislation and programs
    designed to address the needs of African-Americans in
    Illinois;
        (2) Assisting State agencies in developing programs,
    services, public policies, and research strategies that
    will expand and enhance the social and economic well-being
    of African-American children and families; and
        (3) Facilitating the participation of
    African-Americans in the development, implementation, and
    planning of community-based services.
    The work of the Illinois African-American Family
Commission shall include the use of existing reports, research
and planning efforts, procedures, and programs.
 
    Section 20. Appointment; terms. The Illinois
African-American Family Commission shall be comprised of 15
members who shall be appointed by the Governor. Each member
shall have a working knowledge of human services, community
development, and economic public policies in Illinois. The
Governor shall appoint the chairperson or chairpersons.
    The members shall reflect regional representation to
ensure that the needs of African-American families and children
throughout the State of Illinois are met. The members shall be
selected from a variety of disciplines. They shall be
representative of a partnership and collaborative effort
between public and private agencies, the business sector, and
community-based human services organizations.
    Members shall serve 3-year terms, except in the case of
initial appointments. One-third of initially appointed
members, as determined by lot, shall be appointed to 1-year
terms; 1/3 shall be appointed to 2-year terms; and 1/3 shall be
appointed to 3-year terms, so that the terms are staggered.
Members will serve without compensation, but shall be
reimbursed for Commission-related expenses.
    The Department on Aging, the Department of Children and
Family Services, the Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity, the Department of Corrections, the Department of
Human Services, the Department of Public Aid, the Department of
Public Health, and the Department of Transportation shall each
appoint a liaison to serve ex-officio on the Commission.
 
    Section 25. Funding. The African-American Family
Commission shall receive funding through appropriations
available for its purposes made to the Department on Aging, the
Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of
Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Department of
Corrections, the Department of Human Services, the Department
of Public Aid, the Department of Public Health, and the
Department of Transportation.
 
    Section 30. Reporting. The Illinois African-American
Family Commission shall annually report to the Governor and the
General Assembly on the Commission's progress toward its goals
and objectives.
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.