HR0971 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0971 LRB093 22285 LCB 51325 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Thousands of Illinois' citizens need to access a variety of social services including, but not limited to: child care, counseling, crisis intervention, emergency food and shelter, literacy training, affordable housing, services to the disabled, respite care, substance abuse treatment, and elder care; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of different local, regional, and State organizations in Illinois, both public and private, provide services that respond to these needs; and

WHEREAS, It is often extremely confusing and time consuming for citizens to identify and access available services; and

WHEREAS, The process of connecting those in need in Illinois with services can be simplified through the 211 telephone dialing code, which is the national dialing code for information and referral for health and human services; and

WHEREAS, 85 million Americans in 26 states have access to 211 service; and

WHEREAS, Illinois is one of the only Midwest states without 211; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly passed legislation in 2003, P.A. 93-613, which authorizes up to six local information and referral sites to use the 211 dialing code; and

WHEREAS, P.A. 93-613 requires the Governor to establish a Human Services 211 Collaboration Board; and

WHEREAS, This Human Services 211 Collaboration Board is charged with establishing criteria for choosing up to six local information and referral sites to use the 211 dialing code; and

WHEREAS, P.A. 93-613 did not include any State funding for implementation of 211 in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Local information and referral sites that use the 211 dialing code must rely on local and private funding; and

WHEREAS, The proposed federal legislation, "Calling for 211 Act", would authorize $200 million for states to implement 211 centers; and

WHEREAS, Illinois would be able to take advantage of these federal dollars, if appropriated; and

WHEREAS, Federal funding is necessary to assure a sustainable 211 system in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, U.S. Representatives Costello, Davis, Jackson, LaHood, and Rush are cosponsors of H.R. 3111; therefore be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Illinois General Assembly calls for the entire Illinois congressional delegation to cosponsor the federal "Calling for 211 Act" (H.R. 3111 and S. 1630) and to use their influence to help pass this legislation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to each member of the Illinois Congressional delegation.