Public Act 093-0867
 		





SB3208 Enrolled
LRB093 18976 RAS 44711 b






    AN ACT concerning commissions.

 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
represented in the General Assembly:


 
    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the 
Illinois African-American Family Commission Act.
 
    Section 5. Legislative findings.  It is the policy of this 
State to promote family preservation and to preserve and 
strengthen families. Over 12 million people live in Illinois. 
African-Americans represent 15% of the population and 26% of 
the residents living in Cook County. Despite some progress over 
the last few decades, African-Americans in Illinois continue to 
lag behind other racial groups relative to indicators of 
well-being in education, employment, income, and health. 
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, just 26% of the 
African-American population over 25 years of age in Illinois 
completed their high school education; 6% held an associate's 
degree; less than 10% (9%) held a bachelor's degree; less than 
5% (3%) held a master's degree; and less than one percent held 
either a professional (.8%) or doctoral (.4%) degree.

    These levels of education attainment reflect more 
fundamental problems with retaining African-Americans in 
school. The Illinois State Board of Education reported that for 
the 2001-2002 school year, 36,373, or 6%, of students enrolled 
in public high schools dropped out. Thirty-nine percent of 
these students were African-Americans; 38%  were White; 21% were 
Hispanic; and 2% were classified as Other.


    Although African-Americans make up 18% of the high school 
population, they are disproportionately represented in the 
number of students who are suspended and expelled. In the 
2001-2002 school year, 29,068 students were suspended from 
school. Forty-seven percent were White, 37% were 
African-American, 14% were Hispanic, and 1% were classified as 
Other. In regards to expulsions Statewide, the total number of 
high school students expelled was 1,651. Forty-three percent 
were African-American, 41% were White, 14% were Hispanic, and 
2% were classified as Other. Within Chicago public schools, 448 
students were expelled. Seventy-seven of these students were 
African-American; 27% were White; 14% were Hispanic; and 4% 
were classified as Other. The fact that African-Americans are 
more likely to be suspended or expelled from school also 
contributes to the high dropout rate among African-American 
high school students.


    In addition to educational challenges, African-Americans 
face challenges in the areas of employment and income. In the 
year 2000, the unemployment rate for African-Americans age 16 
years or older was 15% compared to only 6% for the total 
Illinois population. Moreover, the median household income of 
African-Americans in Illinois was $31,699 compared to $46,590 
for the total Illinois population, and the percentage of 
African-American families below the poverty level in Illinois 
was 26% percent in 1999 compared to 10.7% for the total 
Illinois population in that same year.


    Indicators of child welfare and criminal justice reveal 
still more challenges that African-American families face in 
Illinois. In 2000, African-American children represented 18% 
of children 18 years of age and under, but comprised 73% of 
children in substitute care. African-Americans are also 
overrepresented in the criminal justice population. Of the 
total Illinois adult inmate population in the year 2000, 65% 
were African-American. During this same time period, 
African-American youth represented 58% of the juvenile inmate 
population in Illinois.


    While the leading causes of death among African-Americans 
are the same as those for the general population in Illinois, 
African-Americans have a higher rate of death per 100,000 
residents. The rate of overall deaths per 100,000 residents 
among African-Americans in the year 2000 was 1,181; 847 for 
Whites; and 411 for those classified as Other. The rate of 
cancer-related deaths per 100,000 residents by racial or ethnic 
groups in 2000 was: 278 African-Americans; 206 Whites; and 110 
of those classified as Other. The rate of diabetes-related 
deaths per 100,000 residents among African-Americans in 2000 
was 41 compared to 23 for Whites and 13 for those classified as 
Other.  The rate of deaths per 100,000 residents by heart 
disease among African-Americans in 2000 was 352 compared

to 257 
for Whites and 120 for those classified as Other. The rate of 
deaths per 100,000 residents by stroke among African-Americans 
in 2000 was 75; 60 for Whites; and 35 for those classified as 
Other.


    African-Americans had higher rates of smoking and obesity 
than other racial groups in Illinois in 2001. African-Americans 
accounted for more of the new adult/adolescent AIDS cases, 
cumulative adult/adolescent AIDS cases, and number of people 
living with AIDS than other racial groups in Illinois in the 
year 2002. Still, 23% of uninsured persons in Illinois are 
African-American.


    These huge disparities in education, employment, income, 
child welfare, criminal justice, and health demonstrate the 
tremendous challenges facing the African-American family in 
Illinois. These challenges are severe. There is a need for 
government, child and family advocates, and other key 
stakeholders to create and implement public policies to address 
the health and social crises facing African-American families. 
The development of given solutions clearly transcends any one 
State agency and requires a coordinated effort. The Illinois 
African-American Family Commission shall assist State agencies 
with this task.


    The African-American Family Commission was created in 
October 1994 by Executive Order to assist the Illinois 
Department of Children and Family Services in developing and 
implementing programs and public policies that affect the 
State's child welfare system. The Commission has a proven track 
record of bringing State agencies, community providers, and 
consumers together to address child welfare issues. The ability 
of the Commission to address the above-mentioned health issues, 
community factors, and the personal well-being of 
African-American families and children has been limited due to 
the Executive Order's focus on child welfare. It is apparent 
that broader issues of health, mental health, criminal justice, 
education, and economic development also directly affect the 
health and well-being of African-American families and 
children. Accordingly, the role of the African-American Family 
Commission is hereby expanded to encompass working 
relationships with every department, agency, and commission 
within State government if any of its activities impact 
African-American children and families. The focus of the 
Commission is hereby restructured and shall exist by 
legislative mandate to engage State agencies in its efforts to 
preserve and strengthen African-American families.


 
    Section 10. Illinois African-American Family Commission 
established. The African-American Family Commission shall be 
renamed and established as the Illinois African-American 
Family Commission.




 
    Section 15. Purpose and objectives.
 
    (a) The purpose of the Illinois African-American Family 
Commission is to guide the efforts of and collaborate with the 
Department on Aging, the Department of Children and Family 
Services, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, 
the Department of Corrections, the Department of Human 
Services, the Department of Public Aid, the Department of 
Public Health, the Department of Transportation, and others to 
improve and expand existing human services and educational and 
community development programs for African-Americans. This 
will be achieved by:


        (1)   Monitoring existing legislation and programs 
    designed to address the needs of African-Americans in 
    Illinois;


        (2)   Assisting State agencies in developing programs, 
    services, public policies, and research strategies that 
    will expand and enhance the social and economic well-being 
    of African-American children and families; and


        (3)   Facilitating the participation of 
    African-Americans in the development, implementation, and 
    planning of community-based services.


    The work of the Illinois African-American Family 
Commission shall include the use of existing reports, research 
and planning efforts, procedures, and programs.


 
    Section 20. Appointment; terms. The Illinois 
African-American Family Commission shall be comprised of 15 
members who shall be appointed by the Governor.  Each member 
shall have a working knowledge of human services, community 
development, and economic public policies in Illinois. The 
Governor shall appoint the chairperson or chairpersons.
    The members shall reflect regional representation to 
ensure that the needs of African-American families and children 
throughout the State of Illinois are met. The members shall be 
selected from a variety of disciplines. They shall be 
representative of a partnership and collaborative effort 
between public and private agencies, the business sector, and 
community-based human services organizations.


    Members shall serve 3-year terms, except in the case of 
initial appointments. One-third of initially appointed 
members, as determined by lot, shall be appointed to 1-year 
terms; 1/3 shall be appointed to 2-year terms; and 1/3 shall be 
appointed to 3-year terms, so that the terms are staggered. 
Members will serve without compensation, but shall be 
reimbursed for Commission-related expenses.


    The Department on Aging, the Department of Children and 
Family Services, the Department of Commerce and Economic 
Opportunity, the Department of Corrections, the Department of 
Human Services, the Department of Public Aid, the Department of 
Public Health, and the Department of Transportation shall each 
appoint a liaison to serve ex-officio on the Commission. 
 
    Section 25. Funding. The African-American Family 
Commission shall receive funding through appropriations 
available for its purposes made to the Department on Aging, the 
Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of 
Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Department of 
Corrections, the Department of Human Services, the Department 
of Public Aid, the Department of Public Health, and the 
Department of Transportation.    
 
    Section 30. Reporting.  The Illinois African-American 
Family Commission shall annually report to the Governor and the 
General Assembly on the Commission's progress toward its goals 
and objectives.

 

    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
becoming law.