103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB5868
 
Introduced 11/12/2024, by Rep. La Shawn K. Ford
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
15 ILCS 305/21 new
    Amends the Secretary of State Act. Provides that the Secretary of State shall create an Office of Faith-Based Community Development Services to connect faith-based community organizations with grant opportunities, as well as provide assistance in completing grant applications. Provides that the Office of Faith-Based Community Development Services shall promote collaboration and unity among diverse groups, foster interfaith dialogue and interagency collaboration to offer comprehensive support services, ensure equitable distribution of resources across various community groups to support their missions and projects, leverage faith-based properties to increase housing opportunities, and develop guides on mental health, grant application processes, housing initiatives, and creating sensory-friendly spaces for the faith community. Provides that the Secretary of State shall appoint an Interfaith Advisory Council to advise the Office of Faith-Based Community Development Services and collaborate with religious communities in this State.


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A BILL FOR
 
HB5868LRB103 41692 SPS 74912 b

1    AN ACT concerning State government.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Secretary of State Act is amended by adding 
5Section 21 as follows:
 
6    (15 ILCS 305/21 new)
7    Sec. 21. Office of Faith-Based Community Development 
8Services.
9    (a) The Secretary of State shall create an Office of 
10Faith-Based Community Development Services to connect 
11faith-based community organizations with grant opportunities, 
12as well as provide assistance in completing grant 
13applications. The Office of Faith-Based Community Development 
14Services shall also promote collaboration and unity among 
15diverse groups, foster interfaith dialogue and interagency 
16collaboration to offer comprehensive support services, ensure 
17equitable distribution of resources across various community 
18groups to support their missions and projects, leverage 
19faith-based properties to increase housing opportunities, and 
20develop guides on mental health, grant application processes, 
21housing initiatives, and creating sensory-friendly spaces for 
22the faith community.
23    (b) The Secretary of State shall appoint an Interfaith 
 
 
HB5868- 2 -LRB103 41692 SPS 74912 b

1Advisory Council to advise the Office of Faith-Based Community 
2Development Services and collaborate with religious 
3communities in this State.