(20 ILCS 3932/15)

Sec. 15. Commission membership.

(a) The Commission shall be composed of 11 voting members appointed by the Governor from residents of the State whose position, knowledge, or experience enables them to reasonably represent the concerns, needs, and recommendations of deaf or hard of hearing persons. At a minimum, 6 voting members of the Commission shall be persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Chairperson of the Commission shall be elected from the Commission's membership by a simple majority vote of the total membership of the Commission. The Vice-Chairperson of the Commission shall be elected from the Commission's membership by a simple majority vote of the total membership of the Commission.

(b) The Governor shall consider nominations made by advocacy groups for the deaf and hard of hearing and community-based organizations.

(c) Of the initial members appointed by the Governor, 3 shall be appointed to terms of one year, 4 shall be appointed to terms of 2 years, and 4 shall be appointed to terms of 3 years. Thereafter, all members shall be appointed for terms of 3 years. No member shall serve more than 2 consecutive terms. A member shall serve until his or her successor is appointed and qualified.

(d) Initial members' terms of office shall be chosen by lot at the initial meeting of the Commission.

(e) Vacancies in Commission membership shall be filled in the same manner as initial appointments. Appointments to fill vacancies occurring before the expiration of a term shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(f) Members shall not receive compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties plus up to $50 per day for any actual loss of wages incurred in the performance of their duties.

(g) Total membership consists of the number of voting members, as defined in this Section, excluding any vacant positions. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of total membership and shall be sufficient to conduct the transaction of business of the Commission unless stipulated otherwise in the by-laws of the Commission.

(h) The Commission shall meet at least quarterly.

(Source: P.A. 93-647, eff. 6-1-04.)