HJ0020 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0020 LRB094 10683 DRH 41060 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Illinois continues to experience the national phenomenon commonly referred to as "aging in place", wherein seniors are remaining in their own homes and would like to continue to live there; and

WHEREAS, Available transportation services are often inconvenient or inaccessible and are not adequately coordinated to provide comprehensive services that meet the wide-ranging needs of the elderly, such as medical appointments, errands, and shopping; and

WHEREAS, Many rural communities have no public and few private transportation services that are available to and meet the needs of seniors; and

WHEREAS, Many areas have jurisdictional boundaries on their transportation services that serve as artificial barriers to seniors accessing the neighboring communities to which they may need to go; and

WHEREAS, Many seniors in urban and rural communities do not have the financial means to utilize the private or alternative transportation services available in their areas; and

WHEREAS, Seniors in many urban and rural communities are unable to take advantage of community services, such as adult day services, senior health clinics, senior centers, and congregate meals, all of which will allow them to remain independent and in their own homes for extended periods of time, without adequate transportation services; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Department of Transportation is directed to do the following:

(1) Conduct a statewide assessment of current needs, resources, and services and the anticipated future needs related to senior transportation in Illinois, in consultation with the Departments of Human Services, Public Aid, and Public Health and the Department on Aging;

(2) Conduct a statewide comprehensive review and analysis of senior transportation that includes, but is not limited to, alternative transportation resources; methods to provide door to door transportation; the feasibility of coordinating funding and information through a centralized clearinghouse; methods to increase cross agency/department collaboration to facilitate coordination, enhance services, and at the same time address duplication and redundancies of programs and service methods to improve the quality and quantity of transportation services to better accommodate the needs of senior riders; identification of policy changes necessary to remove jurisdictional boundaries on alternative transportation services; and identification of policy changes to procurement procedures necessary to facilitate the purchase of accessible vehicles;

(3) Develop recommendations that will improve the availability and coordination of senior transportation in all areas of the State, including recommended methods to provide door to door senior transportation;

(4) Identify possible federal, State, and local funding sources that will assist in implementing and maintaining the recommendations; and

(5) File a written report, including findings and recommendations consistent with this Resolution, with the General Assembly and the Governor on or before December 31, 2006; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Departments of Human Services, Public Aid, and Public Health, and the Department on Aging shall cooperate with the Department of Transportation in executing the requirements of this Resolution; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be delivered to the Directors of Public Aid, Public Health, and Aging and to the Secretaries of Transportation and Human Services.