SB1968 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 10152 KTG 20224 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB1968

Introduced 2/6/2025, by Sen. Mike Simmons

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Illinois Health Care and Public Benefits Stakeholder Council Act. Provides that the Illinois Health Care and Public Benefits Stakeholder Council is created to ensure that residents impacted by Illinois health care systems and public aid benefits have a voice in the State's implementation of various programs across State agencies. Sets forth the Council's objectives and duties which include: (i) identifying current shortfalls in the various public assistance, health care, and child care programs implemented at the State level; and (ii) recommending an overarching organizational structure to ensure coordination, alignment, and progress to assist all Illinoisans in accessing benefits at the State level. Contains provisions concerning Council membership. Requires the Council to meet at the call of the Chair at least 4 times beginning January 1, 2026; and for specified State agencies to attend at least 2 Council hearings in an advisory role. Requires the Council to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor by July 1, 2027. Provides that the Council is dissolved, and the Act is repealed, on July 1, 2028. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning health care.

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 Health Care and Public Benefits Stakeholder Council Act.

Section 5. Illinois Health Care and Public Benefits Stakeholder Council. Illinois Health Care and Public Benefits Stakeholder Council is created to ensure that residents impacted by Illinois health care systems and public aid benefits have a voice in the State's implementation of various programs across State agencies. The Council shall have the following objectives and duties:

(1) Ensure meaningful inclusion in Council matters of families, young people, persons with disabilities, older residents, and others engaged in the health care system and public benefits systems within the State.

(2) Identify current shortfalls in the various programs implemented at the State level, including, but not limited to, the medical assistance program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Women, Infants and Children Program, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, the Child Care Assistance Program, and the Community Care Program.

(3) Recommend an overarching organizational structure to ensure coordination, alignment, and progress to assist all Illinoisans in accessing benefits at the State level.

Section 10. Membership. Members of the Illinois Health Care and Public Benefits Stakeholder Council must represent the diversity of this State and possess the expertise and lived experiences needed to perform the objectives of the Council. Council members shall be appointed by the Governor and shall select from among themselves a chairperson or co-chairpersons at the initial Council meeting. Members of the Council shall include the following:

(1) One representative with lived experience as a person living with a disability.

(2) One representative who is an older Illinoisan.

(3) One representative who works in the health care field.

(4) One representative who is a parent or guardian with lived experience accessing public benefits.

(5) Up to 3 additional representatives from community-based organizations who have expertise in policies and practices within health care, public health, child welfare, and human services.

Section 15. State agency attendance at Council meetings. The heads of the following State agencies, or their designees, must attend at least 2 Council hearings in an advisory role:

(1) Department of Human Services.

(2) Department of Children and Family Services.

(3) Department on Aging.

(4) Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

(5) Department of Early Childhood.

Section 20. Meetings. The Illinois Health Care and Public Benefits Stakeholder Council shall meet at the call of the Chair at least 4 times beginning January 1, 2026.

Section 25. Reports. The Illinois Health Care and Public Benefits Stakeholder Council shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor by July 1, 2027. The Council is dissolved, and this Act is repealed, on July 1, 2028.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.