HB2494 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 05028 BDA 15056 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB2494

Introduced 2/4/2025, by Rep. Nicolle Grasse

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Task Force on Loneliness Act. Makes findings. Establishes the Task Force on Loneliness in the Department of Public Health to study and identify certain information and solutions related to the epidemic of loneliness and its related health concerns. Provides for 11 members of the Task Force, including 4 members of the General Assembly, 3 directors of certain State agencies or their designees, and 4 members of the public appointed by the Governor with certain other requirements. Provides that the Task Force shall convene and meet at the call of the co-chairs and shall meet as frequently as necessary. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force. Provides that the members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses from funds appropriated for that purpose. Provides that the Task Force shall submit a final report to the General Assembly on or before January 1, 2027, with certain requirements. Provides that the Task Force is dissolved and the Act is repealed upon submission of the report, with certain other requirements.

A BILL FOR

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 Task Force on Loneliness Act.

Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds that:

(1) The United States Surgeon General has raised concerns about the epidemic of loneliness in the United States and its related health concerns, including in 2023 in the publication, Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community.

(2) The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland established a commission on loneliness in 2016 and established a ministerial lead for loneliness in 2018 in the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

(3) The world, including Illinois, continues to struggle with the epidemic of loneliness in the post-COVID era.

Section 10. Task Force on Loneliness.

(a) There is hereby established the Task Force on Loneliness in the Department of Public Health to study and identify:

(1) key factors contributing to loneliness;

(2) age groups who are particularly susceptible to loneliness; and

(3) potential solutions to the epidemic of loneliness and its related health concerns.

(b) The Task Force on Loneliness shall consist of the following members, who shall serve without compensation:

(1) one member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, who shall serve as co-chair;

(2) one member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House, who shall serve as co-chair;

(3) one member of the Senate, appointed by the Senate Minority Leader;

(4) one member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;

(5) the Director of Public Health or the Director's designee;

(6) the Director of Healthcare and Family Services or the Director's designee;

(7) the Director of Aging or the Director's designee; and

(8) four members who are residents of this State, appointed by the Governor; the Governor shall consider the diversity of this State in the selection of the Task Force members under this paragraph; the members under this paragraph shall include:

(A) two members who are licensed social workers; and

(B) two members from the healthcare industry.

(c) The Task Force on Loneliness shall convene and meet at the call of the co-chairs and shall meet as frequently as necessary to carry out its duties as required by this Act.

(d) The Department of Public Health shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force on Loneliness.

(e) The members of the Task Force on Loneliness shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary expenses from funds appropriated for that purpose.

(f) The Task Force on Loneliness shall submit a final report to the General Assembly on or before January 1, 2027. The substance of the report shall include any information, data, and results with respect to the goals of the Task Force described in subsection (a), along with any other advice or recommendations of the Task Force.

Section 15. Repeal. This Act is repealed and the Task Force on Loneliness is dissolved on July 1, 2027.