HR0544 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0544 LRB101 14581 MST 63488 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has consistently been a leader in protecting children and promoting their rights; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois developed the world's first juvenile court in 1899, out of concern that children should be removed from adult prison and receive a second chance; this legal innovation of a juvenile court was rapidly adopted throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is committed to the human rights of children, particularly those in conflict with the law; and

WHEREAS, Illinois, based on its history and tradition of human rights and responsibilities, must demonstrate its dedication to providing all children with a better today and a better tomorrow; and

WHEREAS, In the 1980s, the United States, along with nearly 80 other nations, participated in a working group of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights that drafted a Convention on the Rights of the Child; and

WHEREAS, On November 20, 1989, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was drafted with the specific purpose of promoting and protecting the well-being of all children, regardless of national boundaries; and

WHEREAS, The Convention on the Rights of the Child has been ratified by all of the world's nations, except the United States, making it the most widely ratified human rights document in history; and

WHEREAS, The United States formally signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1995, signifying its intent to ratify the Convention; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Ninety-Ninth General Assembly adopted H.R. 1143 in 2010, urging the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child; and

WHEREAS, November 20, 2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the convention on the Rights of the Child; and

WHEREAS, On October 8, 2019, the United Nations will receive the first international report on the Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty along with updated recommendations on when and under what conditions children should be detained and deprived of liberty; and

WHEREAS, The Global Study notes that one of the most positive developments in juvenile justice worldwide has been the adoption of a separate court for juveniles, first developed in Illinois in 1899; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is committed to continuing its global leadership regarding justice for children and adolescents and to ensuring that all Illinois children receive all internationally recognized human rights; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we call upon all government agencies in the State of Illinois, counties, and municipalities, in particular those concerned with juvenile justice, to review their policies and practices in comparison to the recommendations of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty.