Public Act 095-0425
 		





SB1047 Enrolled
LRB095 05948 AJO 26040 b






    AN ACT concerning human rights.

 
    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 
Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes Act.
 
    Section 5. Findings.  The General Assembly finds as follows:
        (1) The population and demographic makeup of the State 
    of Illinois make the appreciation, tolerance, and 
    acceptance of diverse cultures imperative.
        (2) No person or group of people should have to live in 
    fear because of their race, ethnicity, culture, sexual 
    orientation, or religious beliefs.
        (3) The manifestation of discrimination in the form of 
    violence has a negative impact not only on the victim, but 
    also his or her community, and can have a lasting adverse 
    effect on our society.
        (4) Stereotypical thinking and biases still plague our 
    society.
        (5) Illinois has a strong tradition of combating 
    discrimination and hate-based violence by statutorily 
    addressing crimes such as aggravated battery, theft, 
    criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct, and telephone 
    harassment committed because of the victim's race, color, 
    creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, or 
    disability.
        (6) We must continue to work to build a society that is 
    bias and hate free so that our children are protected 
    against discrimination, punishment, and violence that are 
    based on race, ethnicity, color, creed, religious belief, 
    sexual orientation, or social status.
 
    Section 10. Establishment of Commission.  
    (a) The Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes is  
established. The Commission shall consist of a chairperson and 
20 additional members appointed by the Governor with the advice 
and consent of the Senate. The membership may include, but is 
not limited to, persons who are active in and knowledgeable 
about the areas of law enforcement, the criminal and civil 
justice systems, education, human rights, business and 
industry, arts and culture, social services, and religion.  
Terms of the members shall be staggered so that  10 of the 
initial members shall serve  until March 1, 2009, 10 of the 
initial members and the initial chairperson shall serve until 
March 1, 2011, and thereafter each member shall serve for a 
term of 4 years.  Members shall serve until their successors are 
appointed and qualified.  Any vacancy in the membership of the 
Council shall be filled by the Governor with the advice and 
consent of the Senate for the unexpired term. Members shall 
serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for expenses.
    (b) The Commission shall be provided assistance and 
necessary staff support services by the agencies of State 
government involved in the issues to be addressed by it. 
 
    Section 15. Purposes of Commission.  The purposes of the 
Commission include, but are not limited to, the following: 
        (1) To work in partnership with community leaders, 
    educators, religious leaders, social service agencies, 
    elected officials, and the public to identify and uproot 
    sources of discrimination and bias at the source. 
        (2) To work with local governments, law enforcement 
    officials and  prosecutors, educators, and community 
    organizations by assisting with the development of 
    resources, training, and information that allow for a swift 
    and efficient response to hate-motivated crimes and 
    incidents.
        (3) To work with educators throughout Illinois on 
    issues concerning discrimination and hate, teaching 
    acceptance, and embracing diversity at academic 
    institutions.
        (4) To help ensure that this State's laws addressing 
    discrimination and hate-related violence are widely known 
    and applied correctly to help eradicate and prevent crimes 
    based on discrimination and intolerance.
        (5) To make recommendations to the Governor and the 
    General Assembly for statutory and programmatic changes 
    necessary to eliminate discrimination and hate-based 
    violence. 
        (6) To help implement recommendations by working with 
    State agencies, the General Assembly, the business 
    community, the social service community, and other 
    organizations. 
 
    Section 20. Annual report. The Commission shall submit a 
report to the Governor and the General Assembly by March 30 of 
each year.
 
    Section 25. Other laws. Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed to contravene any federal law or any other State law.
 
    Section 30. Effect on Executive Order.   This Act supersedes

Executive Order No. 8 (2005).
 

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