HJ0077 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0077 LRB098 20268 GRL 55669 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Recent data indicates that Latinos represent about 4% of individuals in the Prioritization for Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) list of residents who have been screened and waiting for services relating to their disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Latinos make up 16% of the general population in the State of Illinois and 25% of the children under 18 in the State; and

WHEREAS, The disparity between the State's Latino population and Latino membership in the PUNS program indicates significant barriers and unmet needs for services in the Latino community; and

WHEREAS, There exists a great need for further study of the State's policies concerning Latinos with disabilities; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Latinos with Disabilities Task Force is created to examine the current status of Latinos with Disabilities in the State of Illinois and to advise the General Assembly and the Governor on necessary improvements; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall:

(1) compile information regarding Latinos with disabilities in the State of Illinois, including but not limited to incidence, prevalence, type of disability, access to services, participation in programming, and outcome data;

(2) consider any other available and relevant information on Latinos with disabilities in Illinois, including but not limited community feedback, survey, or Census data;

(3) assess the responsiveness of the current and evolving delivery system of services for persons with disabilities in the Latino community, including barriers to participation;

(4) assess current health and human services system reform efforts; and

(5) identify and recommend specific best-practices and changes at the policy, structural, and programmatic level that can facilitate equitable Latino participation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall be composed of the following members:

(1) 3 members appointed by the Governor who are persons with developmental disabilities or their immediate relatives or guardians;

(2) 3 members appointed by the Governor who are representatives of advocate organizations which are concerned with protecting the rights of persons with developmental disabilities;

(3) 6 members appointed by the Governor who are representatives of provider agencies or research organizations; and

(4) One member appointed by the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services as a representative of that office; and be it further

RESOLVED, That all members of the Task Force appointed by the Governor are to be appointed upon the recommendation of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus and the Illinois Latino Family Commission; the members of the Task Force shall elect a chairperson from among their membership; and be it further

RESOLVED, That members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary expenses from funds appropriated for that purpose; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall receive administrative support from the Illinois Latino Family Commission and the Illinois Department of Human Services; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall submit its final report and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly no later than January 1, 2016.