SJ0070 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0070 LRB097 21092 GRL 68459 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is the purpose of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) to (i) advance the effectiveness, independence, and integrity of the legislatures as equal coordinate branches of government in the states and territories of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; (ii) seek to foster interstate cooperation; (iii) vigorously represent the states and their legislatures in the American federal system of government; and (iv) work for the improvement of the organization, processes, and operations of the state legislatures, the knowledge and effectiveness of individual legislators and staff, and the encouragement of the practice of high standards of personal and professional conduct by legislators and staffs; and

WHEREAS, The NCSL annual conference, since its inception in 1975, has been held in such celebrated American cities as New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Boston, New Orleans, Indianapolis, Orlando, Denver, and Chicago, with Chicago hosting the event in 1982 and 2000; and

WHEREAS, Pursuant to the vote of the Executive Committee of the NCSL, Chicago, Illinois, was selected and will serve as the host city and state for the 2012 NCSL Legislative Summit; and

WHEREAS, The City of Chicago, with its great cultural wealth, vast diversity, and its prominence as a global center of conventions and tourism, serves as an ideal setting to host such a prestigious national event; and

WHEREAS, By hosting a conference of such magnitude in the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago, both the city and the State will benefit from the influx of public and private sector revenue as well as the distinction associated with such an event; and

WHEREAS, The development and implementation of a concise plan to successfully fulfill the goals and high aspirations of the annual NCSL conference requires an extensive logistical and preparatory approach; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly of the State of Illinois realizes the necessity of creating a special committee to develop a succinct plan to bring to fruition and enhance the high standards that have been set by previous hosts of the annual conference; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that there is created a Host Committee for the NCSL Legislative Summit to be held in Chicago, Illinois, in the year 2012; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Host Committee shall consist of 3 members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, one of whom shall be designated by the President of the Senate as a co-chairperson of the Host Committee; 3 members of the Senate appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; 3 members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, one of whom shall be designated by the Speaker of the House as a co-chairperson of the Host Committee; and 3 members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Mayor of the City of Chicago, the Executive Director of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, and the Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall serve as ex-officio, non-voting members of the Host Committee; and be it further

RESOLVED, That members of the Host Committee shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Host Committee may hire staff to advance the objectives of the Committee; and be it further

RESOLVED, That under the direction of the Host Committee, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and all legislative agencies shall provide support services and assistance; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Host Committee shall formulate a plan for the procedures and activities of the conference; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Host Committee shall undertake both public and private sector fundraising initiatives to support and defray the costs associated with hosting the conference; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution shall be distributed to the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the Mayor of the City of Chicago, the Executive Director of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Executive Directors of the legislative agencies.