HB2831eng 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB2831 Engrossed LRB103 26868 KTG 53232 b

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of Human Services Act is amended by adding Section 10-75 as follows:

(20 ILCS 1305/10-75 new)

Sec. 10-75. Homelessness supports in Illinois.

(a) The Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (Office) is created within the Department of Human Services to facilitate the implementation of a strategic plan and initiatives aimed at decreasing homelessness and unnecessary institutionalization in Illinois, improving health and human services outcomes for people who experience homelessness, and strengthening the safety nets that contribute to housing stability. The Office shall be led by the State Homelessness Chief Officer who shall report to the Secretary of the Department. The Chief Officer shall also chair the Interagency Task Force on Homelessness, co-chair the Community Advisory Council on Homelessness, and lead the State's comprehensive efforts related to homelessness prevention. The Chief Officer shall serve as a policymaker and spokesperson on homelessness prevention, including coordinating the multi-agency effort through legislation, rules, and budgets and communicating with the General Assembly and federal and local leaders on these critical issues.

(b) The Interagency Task Force on Homelessness is created within the Department of Human Services to facilitate and implement initiatives related to decreasing homelessness and unnecessary institutionalization in this State, improve health and human services outcomes for people who experience homelessness, and strengthen the safety nets that contribute to housing stability. The Task Force shall:

(1) Implement the State Plan which is aimed at addressing homelessness and unnecessary institutionalization with the goals of achieving functional zero homelessness, improving health and human services outcomes for people experiencing homelessness, and strengthening the safety nets that contribute to housing stability.

(2) Recommend policy, regulatory, and resource changes necessary to accomplish goals and objectives laid out in the State Plan.

(3) Serve within State government and in the State at large as an advocate for people experiencing homelessness.

(4) Provide leadership for and collaborate with those developing and implementing local plans to end homelessness in Illinois, including, but not limited to, the Community Advisory Council and its members.

(5) Recommend the resources needed for successful implementation and oversee that implementation.

(6) Recommend and promote effective interagency collaboration and system integration to converge related efforts, including coordination with the Illinois Youth Homelessness Prevention Subcommittee, the Illinois Commission on the Elimination of Poverty, and the Illinois Commission to End Hunger on drafting policy recommendations related to the intersection of homelessness and poverty.

(7) Recommend needed policy, regulatory, and resource distribution changes; make oversight recommendations that will ensure accountability, results, and sustained success; and develop specific proposals and recommendations for action to provide to the Governor and the General Assembly.

(d) The Task Force may solicit feedback from stakeholders, customers, and advocates to inform Task Force recommendations as necessary.

(e) On or before December 1, 2024, and each year thereafter, the Task Force shall submit a report to the Governor and General Assembly regarding the Task Force's work during the year prior, any new recommendations developed by the Task Force, any recommendations made by the Community Advisory Council on Homelessness, and any key outcomes and measures related to homelessness.

(f) The Task Force shall include the following members appointed by the Governor:

(1) The Chief Homelessness Officer, who shall serve as Chair.

(2) The Secretary of Human Services, or his or her designee.

(3) The Executive Director of the Illinois Housing Development Authority, or his or her designee.

(4) The Director of Healthcare and Family Services, or his or her designee.

(5) The Superintendent of the State Board of Education, or his or her designee.

(6) The Executive Director of the Board of Higher Education, or his or her designee.

(7) The Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board, or his or her designee.

(8) The Director of Corrections, or his or her designee.

(9) The Director of Veterans' Affairs, or his or her designee.

(10) The Director of Children and Family Services, or his or her designee.

(11) The Director of Public Health, or his or her designee.

(12) The Director of Aging, or his or her designee.

(13) The Director of Juvenile Justice, or his or her designee.

(14) The Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, or his or her designee.

(15) The Director of Employment Security, or his or her designee.

(16) The Director of the Illinois State Police, or his or her designee.

(17) The Executive Director of the Illinois Criminal Justice Authority, or his or her designee.

(18) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget, or his or her designee.

(g) The Task Force shall also include the following members:

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

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

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

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

(h) The Chair of the Task Force may appoint additional representatives from State agencies as needed.

(i) The Task Force shall meet at the call of the chair, at least 4 times per year. Members shall serve without compensation.

(j) The Task Force may establish subcommittees to address specific issues or populations and may collaborate with individuals with relevant expertise who are not members of the Task Force to assist the subcommittee in carrying out its duties.

(k) The Department of Human Services shall provide administrative support to the Task Force.

(l) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to contravene any federal or State law or regulation. Unless specifically referenced in this Act, nothing in this Act shall affect or alter the existing statutory powers of any State agency or be construed as a reassignment or reorganization of any State agency.

(m) Community Advisory Council. The Community Advisory Council on Homelessness is created within the Department of Human Services to make recommendations to the Interagency Task Force on Homelessness regarding homelessness and unnecessary institutionalization with the goals of achieving functional zero homelessness, improving health and human services outcomes for people experiencing homelessness and strengthening the safety nets that contribute to housing stability.

(1) The Advisory Council shall be co-chaired by the Chief Homelessness Officer and a member of the Advisory Council designated by the Governor. The Advisory Council shall consist of all of the following members appointed by the Governor. Members appointed to the Advisory Council must reflect the racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity of this State. The Chief may include any State agency staff that they deem necessary as ex officio, nonvoting members of the Community Advisory Council.

(A) Three members with lived experience of homelessness or housing insecurity, which may include, but are not limited to, formerly incarcerated persons, veterans, and youth (16 to 25 years old).

(B) One member representing individuals with disabilities.

(C) Two members representing the philanthropic private funding sector.

(D) One member representing a statewide behavioral health advocacy organization.

(E) One member representing a statewide housing advocacy organization.

(F) At least 2 members representing local Continuums of Care.

(G) At least 3 members representing local units of government (municipal, county, or township).

(H) One member representing an organization that supports victims of domestic violence.

(I) A minimum of 4 members representing providers of the homeless response system inclusive of, but not limited to, emergency supportive housing, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, homeless youth programs, and homeless prevention.

(J) Two members, who may or may not meet the qualification requirements for the other appointees.

The Advisory Council shall meet at least 4 times per year.

(2) Members shall serve without compensation, but public members may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary travel expenses connected to Task Force business. Persons with lived experience of homelessness and housing insecurity, who are not otherwise compensated by employers to attend the Community Advisory Council, shall receive compensation for each quarterly Council meeting attended.

(3) The meetings of the Advisory Council shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Section 2 of the Open Meetings Act. The Department of Human Services shall provide staff and administrative support to assist the Advisory Council in carrying out its duties.

(4) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to contravene any federal or State law or regulation. Unless specifically referenced in this Act, nothing in this Act shall affect or alter the existing statutory powers of any State agency or be construed as a reassignment or reorganization of any State agency.

(5) On or before November 15, 2023, and each year thereafter, the Advisory Council shall submit recommendations to the Interagency Task Force on Homelessness.

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