Public Act 098-0693
 
SB0121 EnrolledLRB098 04333 JDS 34361 b



    AN ACT concerning government.

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



 
 
    Section 5. The Illinois African-American Family Commission 
Act is amended  by changing Sections 5, 15, 20, and 25 as 
follows:
 
    (20 ILCS 3903/5)

    Sec. 5. Legislative findings.  It is the policy of this 
State to promote family preservation and to preserve and 
strengthen families.
    (a) 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.


    (b) The Illinois African-American Family Commission 
continues to be an essential key to promoting the preservation 
and strengthening of families. As of the effective date of this 
amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly, just under 13 
million people live in Illinois. African-Americans represent 
15% of the population and 25% 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 
2010 federal decennial census: just 28% of the African-American 
population over 25 years of age in Illinois completed their 
high school education; 36% had some college or an associate's 
degree; less than 12%  held a bachelor's degree; less than 8%  
held either a graduate or professional degree.
    These levels of education attainment reflect more 
fundamental problems with retaining African-Americans in 
school. The State Board of Education reported that for the 
2010-2011 school year, 18,210, or 2.77%, of students enrolled 
in public high schools dropped out. 39.3% of these students 
were African-Americans; 32.6% were White; 24.2% were Hispanic; 
and 2% were classified as Other.
    Although African-Americans make up 20% of the high school 
population, they are disproportionately represented in the 
number of students who are suspended and expelled. In the 
2011-2012 school year, 29,928 students were suspended from 
school. 36% were White, 34% were African-American, 26% were 
Hispanic, and 4% were classified as Other. With regard to 
expulsions statewide, the total number of high school students 
expelled was 982. 37% were African-American, 41% were White, 
21% were Hispanic, and 2% were classified as Other. Within 
Chicago public schools, 294 students were expelled. 80% of 
these students were African-American; none were White; 17% were 
Hispanic; and 3% 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 2010, the unemployment rate for African-Americans age 16 
years or older was 16% compared to only 9% for the total 
Illinois population. Moreover, the median household income of 
African-Americans in Illinois was $34,874 compared to $60,433 
for the total Illinois population, and the percentage of 
African-American families below the poverty level in Illinois 
was 32% percent in 2012 compared to 15% 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 2010, African-American children represented 14% 
of children 18 years of age and under, but comprised 56% 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 2012, 57% 
were African-American. During this same time period, 
African-American youth represented 66% 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 2010 was 898; 741 for 
Whites; and 458 for those classified as Other. The rate of 
cancer-related deaths per 100,000 residents by racial or ethnic 
groups in 2010 was 216 for African-Americans; 179 for Whites; 
and 124 for those classified as Other. The rate of 
diabetes-related deaths per 100,000 residents among 
African-Americans in 2010 was 114 compared to 66 for Whites and 
75 for those classified as Other. The rate of deaths per 
100,000 residents by heart disease among African-Americans in 
2010 was 232 compared to 179 for Whites and 121 for those 
classified as Other. The rate of deaths per 100,000 residents 
by stroke among African-Americans in 2010 was 108; 73 for 
Whites; and 56 for those classified as Other.
    African-Americans had higher rates of smoking and obesity 
than other racial groups in Illinois in 2013. 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 2013. Still, 24% of uninsured persons in Illinois are 
African-American. 
    (c) 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 Illinois 
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.



(Source: P.A. 93-867, eff. 8-5-04.)
 
    (20 ILCS 3903/15)

    Sec. 15. Purpose and objectives.
 
    (a) The purpose of the Illinois African-American Family 
Commission is to advise the Governor and General Assembly, as 
well as work directly with State agencies, to improve and 
expand existing policies, services, programs, and 
opportunities for African-American families.  The Illinois 
African-American Family Commission shall guide the efforts of 
and collaborate with State agencies, including: 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 Healthcare and Family Services, the 
Department of Public Health, the Department of Transportation, 
the Department of Employment Security, and others.  This shall 
be achieved primarily by: to improve and expand existing human 
services and educational and community development programs 
for African-Americans. This will be achieved by:


        (1)   Monitoring and commenting on existing and proposed 
    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 and 
    representation of African-Americans in the development, 
    implementation, and planning of policies, programs, and 
    community-based services; and .


        (4) Promoting research efforts to document the impact 
    of policies and programs on African-American families. 
    The work of the Illinois African-American Family 
Commission shall include the use of existing reports, research 
and planning efforts, procedures, and programs.



(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)
 
    (20 ILCS 3903/20)

    Sec. 20. Appointment; terms. The Illinois African-American 
Family Commission shall be comprised of 15 members.
    For those seats on the Commission with terms that expire in 
2015, and for subsequent appointments to those seats, the 
Governor, the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of 
the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and 
the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives shall each 
appoint one member to the Commission.
    For those seats on the Commission with terms that expire in 
2016, and for subsequent appointments to those seats, the 
Governor, the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of 
the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and 
the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives shall each 
appoint one member to the Commission.
    For those seats on the Commission with terms that expire in 
2017, and for subsequent appointments to those seats, the 
Governor shall appoint 5 members to the Commission 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 Healthcare and Family 
Services, the Department of Public Health, the State Board of 
Education, the Board of Higher Education, the Illinois 
Community College Board, the Department of Human Rights, the 
Capital Development Board, the Department of Labor, and the 
Department of Transportation shall each appoint a liaison to 
serve ex-officio on the Commission. The Office of the Governor, 
in cooperation with the State agencies appointing liaisons to 
the Commission under this Section, shall provide 
administrative support to the Commission. 

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)
 
    (20 ILCS 3903/25)

    Sec. 25. Funding. The African-American Family Commission 
may 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 Healthcare and 
Family Services (formerly Department of Public Aid), the 
Department of Public Health, the State Board of Education, the 
Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College 
Board, the Department of Human Rights, the Capital Development 
Board, the Department of Labor, and the Department of 
Transportation.    The Commission may also receive and expend 
funding from federal and private sources, including gifts, 
donations, and private grants. 

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)


 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 
1, 2015.