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1    AN ACT concerning government.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois African-American Family Commission
5Act is amended by changing Sections 5, 15, 20, and 25 as
6follows:
 
7    (20 ILCS 3903/5)
8    Sec. 5. Legislative findings. It is the policy of this
9State to promote family preservation and to preserve and
10strengthen families.
11    (a) Over 12 million people live in Illinois.
12African-Americans represent 15% of the population and 26% of
13the residents living in Cook County. Despite some progress over
14the last few decades, African-Americans in Illinois continue to
15lag behind other racial groups relative to indicators of
16well-being in education, employment, income, and health.
17According to the 2000 U.S. Census, just 26% of the
18African-American population over 25 years of age in Illinois
19completed their high school education; 6% held an associate's
20degree; less than 10% (9%) held a bachelor's degree; less than
215% (3%) held a master's degree; and less than one percent held
22either a professional (.8%) or doctoral (.4%) degree.
23    These levels of education attainment reflect more

 

 

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1fundamental problems with retaining African-Americans in
2school. The Illinois State Board of Education reported that for
3the 2001-2002 school year, 36,373, or 6%, of students enrolled
4in public high schools dropped out. Thirty-nine percent of
5these students were African-Americans; 38% were White; 21% were
6Hispanic; and 2% were classified as Other.
7    Although African-Americans make up 18% of the high school
8population, they are disproportionately represented in the
9number of students who are suspended and expelled. In the
102001-2002 school year, 29,068 students were suspended from
11school. Forty-seven percent were White, 37% were
12African-American, 14% were Hispanic, and 1% were classified as
13Other. In regards to expulsions Statewide, the total number of
14high school students expelled was 1,651. Forty-three percent
15were African-American, 41% were White, 14% were Hispanic, and
162% were classified as Other. Within Chicago public schools, 448
17students were expelled. Seventy-seven of these students were
18African-American; 27% were White; 14% were Hispanic; and 4%
19were classified as Other. The fact that African-Americans are
20more likely to be suspended or expelled from school also
21contributes to the high dropout rate among African-American
22high school students.
23    In addition to educational challenges, African-Americans
24face challenges in the areas of employment and income. In the
25year 2000, the unemployment rate for African-Americans age 16
26years or older was 15% compared to only 6% for the total

 

 

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1Illinois population. Moreover, the median household income of
2African-Americans in Illinois was $31,699 compared to $46,590
3for the total Illinois population, and the percentage of
4African-American families below the poverty level in Illinois
5was 26% percent in 1999 compared to 10.7% for the total
6Illinois population in that same year.
7    Indicators of child welfare and criminal justice reveal
8still more challenges that African-American families face in
9Illinois. In 2000, African-American children represented 18%
10of children 18 years of age and under, but comprised 73% of
11children in substitute care. African-Americans are also
12overrepresented in the criminal justice population. Of the
13total Illinois adult inmate population in the year 2000, 65%
14were African-American. During this same time period,
15African-American youth represented 58% of the juvenile inmate
16population in Illinois.
17    While the leading causes of death among African-Americans
18are the same as those for the general population in Illinois,
19African-Americans have a higher rate of death per 100,000
20residents. The rate of overall deaths per 100,000 residents
21among African-Americans in the year 2000 was 1,181; 847 for
22Whites; and 411 for those classified as Other. The rate of
23cancer-related deaths per 100,000 residents by racial or ethnic
24groups in 2000 was: 278 African-Americans; 206 Whites; and 110
25of those classified as Other. The rate of diabetes-related
26deaths per 100,000 residents among African-Americans in 2000

 

 

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1was 41 compared to 23 for Whites and 13 for those classified as
2Other. The rate of deaths per 100,000 residents by heart
3disease among African-Americans in 2000 was 352 compared to 257
4for Whites and 120 for those classified as Other. The rate of
5deaths per 100,000 residents by stroke among African-Americans
6in 2000 was 75; 60 for Whites; and 35 for those classified as
7Other.
8    African-Americans had higher rates of smoking and obesity
9than other racial groups in Illinois in 2001. African-Americans
10accounted for more of the new adult/adolescent AIDS cases,
11cumulative adult/adolescent AIDS cases, and number of people
12living with AIDS than other racial groups in Illinois in the
13year 2002. Still, 23% of uninsured persons in Illinois are
14African-American.
15    (b) The Illinois African-American Family Commission
16continues to be an essential key to promoting the preservation
17and strengthening of families. As of the effective date of this
18amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly, just under 13
19million people live in Illinois. African-Americans represent
2015% of the population and 25% of the residents living in Cook
21County. Despite some progress over the last few decades,
22African-Americans in Illinois continue to lag behind other
23racial groups relative to indicators of well-being in
24education, employment, income, and health. According to the
252010 federal decennial census: just 28% of the African-American
26population over 25 years of age in Illinois completed their

 

 

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1high school education; 36% had some college or an associate's
2degree; less than 12% held a bachelor's degree; less than 8%
3held either a graduate or professional degree.
4    These levels of education attainment reflect more
5fundamental problems with retaining African-Americans in
6school. The State Board of Education reported that for the
72010-2011 school year, 18,210, or 2.77%, of students enrolled
8in public high schools dropped out. 39.3% of these students
9were African-Americans; 32.6% were White; 24.2% were Hispanic;
10and 2% were classified as Other.
11    Although African-Americans make up 20% of the high school
12population, they are disproportionately represented in the
13number of students who are suspended and expelled. In the
142011-2012 school year, 29,928 students were suspended from
15school. 36% were White, 34% were African-American, 26% were
16Hispanic, and 4% were classified as Other. With regard to
17expulsions statewide, the total number of high school students
18expelled was 982. 37% were African-American, 41% were White,
1921% were Hispanic, and 2% were classified as Other. Within
20Chicago public schools, 294 students were expelled. 80% of
21these students were African-American; none were White; 17% were
22Hispanic; and 3% were classified as Other. The fact that
23African-Americans are more likely to be suspended or expelled
24from school also contributes to the high dropout rate among
25African-American high school students.
26    In addition to educational challenges, African-Americans

 

 

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1face challenges in the areas of employment and income. In the
2year 2010, the unemployment rate for African-Americans age 16
3years or older was 16% compared to only 9% for the total
4Illinois population. Moreover, the median household income of
5African-Americans in Illinois was $34,874 compared to $60,433
6for the total Illinois population, and the percentage of
7African-American families below the poverty level in Illinois
8was 32% percent in 2012 compared to 15% for the total Illinois
9population in that same year.
10    Indicators of child welfare and criminal justice reveal
11still more challenges that African-American families face in
12Illinois. In 2010, African-American children represented 14%
13of children 18 years of age and under, but comprised 56% of
14children in substitute care. African-Americans are also
15overrepresented in the criminal justice population. Of the
16total Illinois adult inmate population in the year 2012, 57%
17were African-American. During this same time period,
18African-American youth represented 66% of the juvenile inmate
19population in Illinois.
20    While the leading causes of death among African-Americans
21are the same as those for the general population in Illinois,
22African-Americans have a higher rate of death per 100,000
23residents. The rate of overall deaths per 100,000 residents
24among African-Americans in the year 2010 was 898; 741 for
25Whites; and 458 for those classified as Other. The rate of
26cancer-related deaths per 100,000 residents by racial or ethnic

 

 

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1groups in 2010 was 216 for African-Americans; 179 for Whites;
2and 124 for those classified as Other. The rate of
3diabetes-related deaths per 100,000 residents among
4African-Americans in 2010 was 114 compared to 66 for Whites and
575 for those classified as Other. The rate of deaths per
6100,000 residents by heart disease among African-Americans in
72010 was 232 compared to 179 for Whites and 121 for those
8classified as Other. The rate of deaths per 100,000 residents
9by stroke among African-Americans in 2010 was 108; 73 for
10Whites; and 56 for those classified as Other.
11    African-Americans had higher rates of smoking and obesity
12than other racial groups in Illinois in 2013. African-Americans
13accounted for more of the new adult/adolescent AIDS cases,
14cumulative adult/adolescent AIDS cases, and number of people
15living with AIDS than other racial groups in Illinois in the
16year 2013. Still, 24% of uninsured persons in Illinois are
17African-American.
18    (c) These huge disparities in education, employment,
19income, child welfare, criminal justice, and health
20demonstrate the tremendous challenges facing the
21African-American family in Illinois. These challenges are
22severe. There is a need for government, child and family
23advocates, and other key stakeholders to create and implement
24public policies to address the health and social crises facing
25African-American families. The development of given solutions
26clearly transcends any one State agency and requires a

 

 

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1coordinated effort. The Illinois African-American Family
2Commission shall assist State agencies with this task.
3    The African-American Family Commission was created in
4October 1994 by Executive Order to assist the Illinois
5Department of Children and Family Services in developing and
6implementing programs and public policies that affect the
7State's child welfare system. The Commission has a proven track
8record of bringing State agencies, community providers, and
9consumers together to address child welfare issues. The ability
10of the Commission to address the above-mentioned health issues,
11community factors, and the personal well-being of
12African-American families and children has been limited due to
13the Executive Order's focus on child welfare. It is apparent
14that broader issues of health, mental health, criminal justice,
15education, and economic development also directly affect the
16health and well-being of African-American families and
17children. Accordingly, the role of the Illinois
18African-American Family Commission is hereby expanded to
19encompass working relationships with every department, agency,
20and commission within State government if any of its activities
21impact African-American children and families. The focus of the
22Commission is hereby restructured and shall exist by
23legislative mandate to engage State agencies in its efforts to
24preserve and strengthen African-American families.
25(Source: P.A. 93-867, eff. 8-5-04.)
 

 

 

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1    (20 ILCS 3903/15)
2    Sec. 15. Purpose and objectives.
3    (a) The purpose of the Illinois African-American Family
4Commission is to advise the Governor and General Assembly, as
5well as work directly with State agencies, to improve and
6expand existing policies, services, programs, and
7opportunities for African-American families. The Illinois
8African-American Family Commission shall guide the efforts of
9and collaborate with State agencies, including: the Department
10on Aging, the Department of Children and Family Services, the
11Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the
12Department of Corrections, the Department of Human Services,
13the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the
14Department of Public Health, the Department of Transportation,
15the Department of Employment Security, and others. This shall
16be achieved primarily by: to improve and expand existing human
17services and educational and community development programs
18for African-Americans. This will be achieved by:
19        (1) Monitoring and commenting on existing and proposed
20    legislation and programs designed to address the needs of
21    African-Americans in Illinois;
22        (2) Assisting State agencies in developing programs,
23    services, public policies, and research strategies that
24    will expand and enhance the social and economic well-being
25    of African-American children and families; and
26        (3) Facilitating the participation of and

 

 

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1    representation of African-Americans in the development,
2    implementation, and planning of policies, programs, and
3    community-based services; and .
4        (4) Promoting research efforts to document the impact
5    of policies and programs on African-American families.
6    The work of the Illinois African-American Family
7Commission shall include the use of existing reports, research
8and planning efforts, procedures, and programs.
9(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)
 
10    (20 ILCS 3903/20)
11    Sec. 20. Appointment; terms. The Illinois African-American
12Family Commission shall be comprised of 15 members.
13    For those seats on the Commission with terms that expire in
142015, and for subsequent appointments to those seats, the
15Governor, the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of
16the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and
17the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives shall each
18appoint one member to the Commission.
19    For those seats on the Commission with terms that expire in
202016, and for subsequent appointments to those seats, the
21Governor, the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of
22the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and
23the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives shall each
24appoint one member to the Commission.
25    For those seats on the Commission with terms that expire in

 

 

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12017, and for subsequent appointments to those seats, the
2Governor shall appoint 5 members to the Commission who shall be
3appointed by the Governor.
4    Each member shall have a working knowledge of human
5services, community development, and economic public policies
6in Illinois. The Governor shall appoint the chairperson or
7chairpersons.
8    The members shall reflect regional representation to
9ensure that the needs of African-American families and children
10throughout the State of Illinois are met. The members shall be
11selected from a variety of disciplines. They shall be
12representative of a partnership and collaborative effort
13between public and private agencies, the business sector, and
14community-based human services organizations.
15    Members shall serve 3-year terms, except in the case of
16initial appointments. One-third of initially appointed
17members, as determined by lot, shall be appointed to 1-year
18terms; 1/3 shall be appointed to 2-year terms; and 1/3 shall be
19appointed to 3-year terms, so that the terms are staggered.
20Members will serve without compensation, but shall be
21reimbursed for Commission-related expenses.
22    The Department on Aging, the Department of Children and
23Family Services, the Department of Commerce and Economic
24Opportunity, the Department of Corrections, the Department of
25Human Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family
26Services, the Department of Public Health, the State Board of

 

 

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1Education, the Board of Higher Education, the Illinois
2Community College Board, the Department of Human Rights, the
3Capital Development Board, the Department of Labor, and the
4Department of Transportation shall each appoint a liaison to
5serve ex-officio on the Commission. The Office of the Governor,
6in cooperation with the State agencies appointing liaisons to
7the Commission under this Section, shall provide
8administrative support to the Commission.
9(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)
 
10    (20 ILCS 3903/25)
11    Sec. 25. Funding. The African-American Family Commission
12may shall receive funding through appropriations available for
13its purposes made to the Department on Aging, the Department of
14Children and Family Services, the Department of Commerce and
15Economic Opportunity, the Department of Corrections, the
16Department of Human Services, the Department of Healthcare and
17Family Services (formerly Department of Public Aid), the
18Department of Public Health, the State Board of Education, the
19Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College
20Board, the Department of Human Rights, the Capital Development
21Board, the Department of Labor, and the Department of
22Transportation. The Commission may also receive and expend
23funding from federal and private sources, including gifts,
24donations, and private grants.
25(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)
 

 

 

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1    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January
21, 2015.