Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB5501

Creates the Commission to End Hunger Act. Provides that because it is the goal of the State that no man, woman, or child should ever be faced with hunger, the General Assembly authorizes the Department of Human Services to create the Commission to End Hunger. Provides that the purpose of the Commission shall be to develop an action plan every 2 years, review the progress of this plan, and ensure cross-collaboration among government entities and community partners toward the goal of ending hunger in Illinois. Further provides that the key duties of the Commission shall include identifying all funding sources which can be used toward ending hunger; identifying barriers to access, and developing sustainable polices and programs to address those barriers; and promoting and facilitating public-private partnerships. Provides that the Commission shall be composed of no more than 21 voting members, including 15 public members representing various community and public service organizations, who shall be appointed by the Governor and shall reflect the racial, gender, and geographic diversity of the State. Provides that the Secretary of Human Services, the State Superintendent of Education, the Director of Healthcare and Family Services, the Director of Children and Family Services, the Director of Aging, and the Director of Agriculture shall serve as ex-officio members of the Commission, and that subject to appropriation, the Office of the Governor and the Department of Human Services shall provide administrative support. Contains provisions on commission meetings and reporting requirements. Effective immediately.

Adds language providing that promoting health and wellness through nutrition education, coordination of services, and access to nutrition programs is one opportunity that can help Illinois residents achieve food security. Provides that one of the key duties of the Commission to End Hunger shall include identifying all funding sources which can be used towards improving nutrition and ending hunger (rather than, identifying all funding sources which can be used towards ending hunger). Provides that commission members shall serve without compensation and are responsible for the cost of all reasonable and necessary travel expenses connected to Commission business as the State of Illinois will not reimburse Commission members for these costs (rather than, Commission members shall serve without compensation, but, subject to the availability of funds, public members may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary travel expenses connected to Commission business). Provides that the Office of the Governor shall provide guidance to the Commission (rather than, subject to appropriation, the Office of the Governor shall provide administrative support). Provides that the Department of Human Services shall also provide leadership (rather than, administrative support) to support the Commission, and that the Department and the State of Illinois shall not incur any costs as a result of the creation of the Commission to End Hunger as the coordination of meetings, report preparation, and other related duties will be completed by a representative of a food bank that is serving as a co-chair of the Commission.

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