HB3786 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 09350 BDA 19408 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB3786

Introduced 2/18/2025, by Rep. Camille Y. Lilly

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Office of Civility Act. Makes findings. Defines terms. Establishes the Office of Civility within the Office of the Governor, with support from specific other State agencies. Provides that the operations of the Office shall be subject to appropriations. Provides the purpose of the Office. Provides for an Advisory Board to assist the Office, with certain membership and other requirements and duties. Requires the Advisory Board to submit a report to the Office of Civility, General Assembly, and Governor's Office by December 31, 2026, after which the Advisory Board is dissolved. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

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 Office of Civility Act.

Section 5. Findings. The Illinois General Assembly joins the Center for Disease Control in recognizing violence as a public health problem, namely a disease. In addressing this disease, it is necessary to facilitate the creation of an Office of Civility to educate Illinoisans on civil conduct. This Office will expand on the provisions of Public Act 102-4 to continue Illinois' commitment to improving the health outcomes of its people. The Office shall deploy strategies based on available evidence to understand the factors that produce or influence violence and promote evidence-based solutions to help reduce violent behaviors within the State.

Section 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Civility" means treating and respecting other persons within Illinois as free and equal members of society entitled to rights and liberties without barriers.

"Cultural diversity" means diversity of thoughts, actions, traditions, beliefs, and values inherently held on the basis of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or identity, age, and location.

"Institutional violence" means a form of violence where social structures or institutions harm people from underprivileged backgrounds through the exercise of power.

"Morality" means a learned system of behaviors and principles that govern one's conduct, which includes the practice of civility.

"Violence" means (i) the intentional use of held power or physical force against a person, group or community resulting in physical or psychological harm, death, or developmental impairment and (ii) a disease deriving from exposure to environmental, social, or personal stressors. "Violence" includes, but is not limited to, bullying, incivility, and harmful bias.

Section 15. Office of Civility. The Office of Civility shall be established within the Office of the Governor, with support from the Department of Public Health, Department of Human Services, Department of Human Rights, and Commission on Equity and Inclusion. The Office shall operate with a goal of educating Illinoisans on civic morals and virtues, preventing institutional violence, promoting thoughtful and responsible conduct, nurturing a civil and engaged population, and reflecting regional, racial, and cultural diversity. The operations of the Office shall be subject to the availability of appropriations.

Section 20. Purpose of the Office of Civility. The purpose of the Office of Civility shall include educating individuals on civility, morality, and institutional violence. The Office is directed to strive to reduce barriers that stand in the way of individual and societal peace. The Office shall promote access to behavioral health services as a method of promoting civility in Illinois.

Section 25. Office of Civility Advisory Board; membership. There shall be created an Advisory Board to assist the Office of Civility in the execution of its duties. This Advisory Board shall be representative of all caucuses within the Illinois General Assembly and regions of the State and shall reflect the diversity inherent within Illinois. The Advisory Board shall consist of 27 voting members, with at least one being appointed by each branch of State government. The co-chairs may add additional non-voting members to the Advisory Board upon mutual agreement. The membership shall be as follows:

(1) One member of the House of Representatives, to co-chair the Advisory Board, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(2) One member of the Senate, to co-chair the Advisory Board, appointed by the President of the Senate.

(3) One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the House Minority Leader.

(4) One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Senate Minority Leader.

(5) Two human resources professionals, one employed by a State agency, and one employed by a private company, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(6) Two human resources professionals, one employed by a State agency, and one employed by a private company, appointed by the President of the Senate.

(7) Two Commissioners of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, appointed by the Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court.

(8) The Director of Public Health, or the Director's designee.

(9) The Secretary of Human Services, or the Secretary's designee.

(10) The Director of Human Rights, or the Director's designee.

(11) The Director of the Illinois State Police, or the Director's designee.

(12) The Director of Corrections, or the Director's designee.

(13) The Executive Director of the Commission on Equity and Inclusion, or the Executive Director's designee.

(14) Three individuals representing the values of rural, suburban, and urban locations, respectively, within Illinois, appointed by the Governor:

(A) one of whom shall represent a county with a population under 250,000;

(B) one of whom shall represent a county with a population between 250,000 and 500,000; and

(C) one of whom shall represent a county with a population over 500,000.

(15) Two individuals representing faith-based organizations, appointed by the Governor.

(16) Two individuals representing Illinois businesses, appointed by the Governor.

(17) Four educators representing, respectively, city, suburbs, town, and rural schools as determined by National Center For Education Statistics (NCES) locale codes, appointed by the Illinois State Superintendent of Education.

Members of the Advisory Board shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the fulfillment of their duties from funds appropriated for that purpose. All members of the Advisory Board shall be residents of the State of Illinois.

Initial appointments to this Advisory Board shall be made within 90 days after the effective date of this Act.

The Advisory Board shall hold its first meeting within one month after 80% of all members have been appointed and shall convene as the co-chairs deem necessary in order to carry out its prescribed duties and submit any reports required by this Act. The Department of Public Health, with assistance from the Department of Human Services, Department of Human Rights, and Commission on Equity and Inclusion, if required, shall provide administrative support to the Advisory Board to ensure the fulfillment of the Board's duties.

Section 30. Advisory Board Duties. It shall be the duty of the Office of Civility Advisory Board to provide recommendations and advice to the Office of Civility on its operations and function within the Office of the Governor. These shall include, but are not limited to the following:

(1) Determine how the Office will fit and be supported by the Office of the Governor, including exploring the creation of a Chief Civility Officer appointed by the Governor to lead the Office of Civility. This may include the creation of partnerships with other State agencies.

(2) Research and provide direction on the implementation of evidence-based strategies for reducing the factors that lead to violence and violent behaviors, as well as assess the actions of other governmental entities in achieving this goal.

(3) Create guidance to be distributed to first responders for civil trauma-informed, and person-centered approaches to respond to crisis situations, especially those situations involving behavioral health. This may include additional collaboration with relevant behavioral health stakeholders and organizations to achieve civil resolutions to crisis situations.

(4) Develop parameters for the creation and implementation of a State Plan of Civility by the Office of Civility. This shall serve to assist State agencies and officers in preventing institutional violence and promoting equity.

(5) Explore engagement in partnerships with community organizations engaged in the work of violence prevention and assess their needs and potential supports to offer them.

(6) Determine opportunities to celebrate or honor National Civility Month in August and collaborate with other State agencies on the best practices for implementing these initiatives.

(7) Review potential coursework and training that may be provided by the Office of Civility to schools, community groups, law enforcement agencies, business organizations, and other groups on civil behaviors, conflict resolution strategies, effective communication, and other life skills.

(8) Establish a framework for staffing and funding needs for an Office capable of fulfilling the duties of the Office of Civility as directed by the Advisory Board.

Section 35. Reporting.

(a) In addition to their continued support for the Office of Civility, the Advisory Board shall deliver their recommendations in the form of a report to be submitted to the Office of Civility, General Assembly, and Governor's Office. The Advisory Board shall be dissolved upon the submission of this report.

(b) The Advisory Board is responsible for submitting this report to the respective parties prior to December 31, 2026.

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