Public Act 0467 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB3047 Enrolled LRB098 09809 JDS 39960 b

Public Act 098-0467

AN ACT concerning State government.

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 Governor's Office of New Americans Act.

Section 5. Governor's Office of New Americans. The Office of New Americans is hereby created in the Office of the Governor. The Office of New Americans shall maintain and continue to develop on behalf of the people of the State of Illinois a New Americans Immigrant Policy that builds upon the strengths of immigrants, their families, and their institutions, and expedites their journey towards self-sufficiency. The policy developed by the Office shall enable State government to more effectively assist immigrants in overcoming barriers to success and shall facilitate host communities' ability to capitalize on the assets of their immigrant populations.

The Governor's Office of New Americans shall identify strategic partnerships with State agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor in an effort to implement best practices, policies, and procedures and make recommendations for statewide policy and administrative changes.

Section 10. New American Plans. Each State agency under the jurisdiction of the Governor shall develop a New American Plan that incorporates effective training and resources, ensures culturally and linguistically competent and appropriate services, and includes administrative practices that reach out to and reflect the needs of the immigrant populations and populations with limited English proficiency. Each State agency under the jurisdiction of the Governor shall consider the New Americans Immigrant Policy Council's recommendations in creating the agency's plans. Agency plans should be submitted to the Governor for approval.