HB5207 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 25933 KTG 35310 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB5207

Introduced 1/31/2022, by Rep. Kathleen Willis

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 505/17a-16 new

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Creates the Children and Family Services Oversight Commission within the Department of Children and Family Services to report on the effectiveness of its child welfare services and programs by examining and reporting annually to the General Assembly on the following: (1) the status of current issues that impede or disrupt the delivery of services to children and families served by the Department; (2) the fiscal health of the Department, including any budgetary challenges or restraints that undermine the effective performance of the Department's statutory duties and responsibilities; and (3) a general assessment on youth in the custody or guardianship of the Department, with an emphasis on the Department's efforts to proactively and promptly identify and address systemic issues that negatively impact the experience of youth in care during the child welfare process. Contains provisions on the Commission's members, meetings, and reporting 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 5. The Children and Family Services Act is amended by adding Section 17a-16 as follows:

(20 ILCS 505/17a-16 new)

Sec. 17a-16. Children and Family Services Oversight Commission.

(a) The Children and Family Services Oversight Commission is created within the Department of Children and Family Services to report on the effectiveness of its child welfare services and programs by examining and reporting annually to the General Assembly on the following:

(1) The status of current issues that impede or disrupt the delivery of services to children and families served by the Department.

(2) The fiscal health of the Department and its programs, including any budgetary challenges or restraints that undermine the effective performance of the Department's statutory duties and responsibilities.

(3) A general assessment on youth in the custody or guardianship of the Department, with an emphasis on the Department's efforts to proactively and promptly identify and address systemic issues that negatively impact the experience of youth in care during the child welfare process.

(b) The Commission shall consist of the following members:

(1) One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(2) One member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate.

(3) One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

(4) One member of the Senate appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

(5) One member from the Illinois Collaboration on Youth appointed by the Governor.

(6) One member from the Department of Children and Family Services appointed by the Governor.

(7) One member from the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian appointed by the Governor.

(8) One member from the Illinois Chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America appointed by the Governor.

(9) One member from a statewide labor organization representing employees at the Department of Children and Family Services.

(c) The members of the Commission shall receive no compensation.

(d) The Commission shall meet quarterly beginning as soon as practicable after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly.

(e) The Commission shall submit its first annual report to the General Assembly within one year after all members have been selected to the Commission.