SB2687 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB093 20740 RAS 46630 b

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2003 and 2004
SB2687

Introduced 2/4/2004, by Donne E. Trotter

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Senior Environmental Corps Act and the 16-member Senior Environmental Corps Coordinating Council, subject to appropriation. Provides that the Department on Aging, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Public Aid, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency shall participate in the administration and implementation of the Corps, along with the Department of Natural Resources, within which the Corps shall be established. Provides the purpose of the Corps and the Council. Sets forth duties of the Department of Natural Resources in relation to the Corps. Provides guidelines for written agreements between the Department of Natural Resources and Corps volunteers.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT in relation to environment.

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 Senior Environmental Corps Act.

Section 5. Definitions. In this Act:

"Agency" means one of the agencies or organizations participating in the activities of the Senior Environmental Corps.

"Coordinator" means the person designated by the Director with the advice of the Council to administer the activities of the Senior Environmental Corps.

"Corps" means the Senior Environmental Corps.

"Council" means the Senior Environmental Corps Coordinating Council.

"Department" means the Department of Natural Resources.

"Director" means the Director of Natural Resources or the Director's authorized representative.

"Representative" means the person who represents an agency on the Council and is responsible for the activities of the Senior Environmental Corps in his or her agency.

"Senior" means any person who is 55 years of age or older.

"Volunteer" means a person who is willing to work without expectation of salary or financial reward, and who chooses where he or she provides services and the type of services he or she provides.

Section 10. Senior Environmental Corps established.

Subject to appropriation, the Senior Environmental Corps is created within the Department of Natural Resources. The Department on Aging, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Public Aid, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency shall participate in the administration and implementation of the Corps.

Section 15. Purpose.

(a) The purpose of the Corps shall be to:

(1) Provide resources and a support structure to facilitate Corps activities and accomplish goals;

(2) Carry out professional and paraprofessional projects that focus on conservation, protection, rehabilitation, and enhancement of the State's natural, environmental, and recreational resources and projects that otherwise would not be implemented because of limited financial resources;

(3) Provide meaningful opportunities for senior volunteers to continue to use their professional training, lifelong skills, abilities, experience, and wisdom through participation in Corps projects;

(4) Assist agencies in carrying out statutory assignments with limited funding resources;

(5) Enhance community understanding of environmental issues through educational outreach; and

(6) Enhance the State's ability to provide needed public services in both urban and rural settings.

Section 20. Senior Environmental Corps Coordinating Council.

(a) The Department shall convene a Senior Environmental Corps Coordinating Council to meet as needed to establish and assess policies; define standards for projects; evaluate and select projects; develop recruitment, training and placement procedures; receive and review project status and completion reports; and provide for recognition of volunteer activity. The Council shall include 16 representatives, with 3 representatives appointed by the Department on Aging, 3 representatives appointed by the Department of Human Services, 3 representatives appointed by the Department of Public Aid, 3 representatives appointed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, 3 representatives appointed by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and 1 representative appointed by the Department of Natural Resources. The Council shall develop bylaws, policies, and procedures to govern its activities.

(b) The Council shall advise the Director on distribution of available funding for Corps activities.

Section 25. Duties.

(a) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall:

(1) Provide a coordinator and staff support to the Council as needed;

(2) Provide support to the agencies for recruitment of volunteers;

(3) Develop a budget and allocate available funds with advice of the Council;

(4) Develop a written volunteer agreement;

(5) Collect and maintain project and volunteer records;

(6) Provide reports to the General Assembly and to the Council, as requested;

(7) Provide agency project managers and volunteers with orientation to the Corps program and training in the use of volunteers;

(8) Act as a liaison with and provide information to other states and jurisdictions on the Corps program and program activities;

(9) Appoint a representative to the Council;

(10) Develop project proposals;

(11) Administer project activities within the agencies;

(12) Develop appropriate procedures for the use of volunteers;

(13) Provide project orientation, technical training, safety training, equipment, and supplies to carry out project activities;

(14) Maintain project records and provide project reports;

(15) Apply for and accept grants or contributions for Corps approved projects;

(16) With the approval of the Council, enter into memoranda of understanding and cooperative agreements with federal, State, and local agencies to carry out Corps approved projects; and

(17) Establish, by administrative rule, any rules and regulations necessary for implementing and administering the provisions of this Act.

(b) The Department shall not use Corps volunteers to displace currently employed workers.

Section 30. Volunteer agreement. All volunteer activity must be performed under the terms of a written master agreement approved by the Council and the Attorney General. As a minimum, the volunteer agreement must include a description of the work that the volunteer is to perform, including the standards of performance required, any expenses or other benefits to which the volunteer is entitled, such as mileage, lodging, uniforms or other clothing or supplies, training or other support to be provided to the volunteer by the particular agency, the duration of the agreement, and the terms under which the agreement may be cancelled.