SB1859 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 10734 BDA 20813 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB1859

Introduced 2/5/2025, by Sen. Graciela Guzmán

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Climate Displacement Task Force Act for the purpose of making recommendations regarding climate displacement within the State. Contains provisions concerning the appointment of members to the Task Force and the duties of the Task Force. Requires the Task Force to submit to the General Assembly an initial report delineating the Task Force's findings, conclusions, and recommendations by no later than June 30, 2026.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning safety.

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 Climate Displacement Task Force Act.

Section 5. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to ensure Illinois proactively plans for climate-driven displacement by identifying future resource needs, supporting community resilience, and developing policies in collaboration with residents, advocates, and industry stakeholders. With rising global water levels and more extreme weather events, states like Illinois will see an increase in the number of people relocating to escape these situations, which may include: (i) an influx of people from areas outside of Illinois facing greater threats, which can put strain on existing resources, (ii) increasing impacts on current Illinois residents, which may lead to a need to relocate within Illinois and even within smaller geographies, or (iii) both. The State of Illinois has a responsibility to analyze the State's future needs and to ensure the resilience of resources. As a result, the State of Illinois must adequately prepare to make robust policy suggestions in consultation with residents, advocates, and industry.

Section 10. Appointments. Members of the Task Force must be appointed no later than 60 days after the effective date of this Act. If a vacancy occurs on the Task Force, it shall be filled according to the guidelines of the initial appointment. These guidelines might include consultation with relevant stakeholders, adherence to diversity and equity principles, and consideration of expertise in climate displacement. At the discretion of the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, additional individuals may be appointed as voting members in the meetings of the Task Force, provided they have relevant expertise or experience in addressing climate displacement, building community resilience, or related fields. The qualifications for the appointments shall be documented and made publicly available.

Section 15. Duties. The Climate Displacement Task Force is created to make findings and recommendations regarding climate displacement within this State. An initial report delineating the Task Force's findings, conclusions, and recommendations shall be submitted to the Illinois General Assembly no later than June 30, 2026.

Once the initial voting members have been appointed, the Task Force shall meet not less than once each quarter following the effective date of this Act to carry out the duties prescribed in this Act.

Section 20. Membership. The Task Force shall consist of the following voting members:

(1) the Governor or his or her designee;

(2) 4 members of the General Assembly,

(A) one member, who shall serve as Chairperson, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(B) one member, who shall serve as Vice-Chairperson, appointed by the President of the Senate;

(C) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(D) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;

(3) the Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency or the Director's designee;

(4) the Director of Public Health or the Director's designee;

(5) the Secretary of Human Services or the Secretary's designee;

(6) the Secretary of Transportation or the Secretary's designee;

(7) the Director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security or the Director's designee;

(8) 2 representatives from labor organizations, appointed by the Governor;

(9) 2 representatives from faith-based organizations, appointed by the Governor;

(10) 2 representatives from community-based organizations working on affordable housing or transportation or other essential services, appointed by the Governor;

(11) 2 representatives from immigrant rights organizations, appointed by the Governor;

(12) 2 representatives from environmental justice organizations, appointed by the Governor;

(13) 2 representatives from academic institutions with experience on urban planning, appointed by the Governor; and

(14) any other additional members appointed under Section 10.