HR0163 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0163 LRB098 11230 GRL 42974 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, According to the United States Census Bureau, African-Americans made up 14.8% of the population of the State of Illinois in 2011; and

WHEREAS, In a Chicago Urban League survey of 160 corporate boards based in Chicago and the surrounding region, the group found that 101 of 1,527 directors, or roughly 6.6%, are African-American; and

WHEREAS, The study found that 73 companies have no African-American board members, while 71 companies have one and 12 companies have two; only the McDonald's Corporation and the Compuware Corporation have three African-American board members; and

WHEREAS, While more than 50% of the companies surveyed have at least one African-American on their board, several of the Chicago area's largest companies have none, including Sears Holdings Corporation, United Continental Holdings Corporation, Navistar International Corporation, Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc., Aon PLC, CAN Financial Corporation, and CF Industries Holdings Inc.; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, the Navistar International Corporation received $64.7 million in tax incentives from the State, while Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. received $110 million and the Sears Holdings Corporation received $150 million; and

WHEREAS, A more accurate reflection of the great diversity of this State in the corporate world is needed and would be beneficial to both public and private interests; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the boards of directors and shareholders of all Illinois corporations to properly reflect the ethnic, racial, and gender diversity of the State in the membership of their corporate boards; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage those boards and shareholders to inform the General Assembly of the ethnic, racial, and gender diversity of the membership of their corporate boards on an annual basis; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the Governor's Office, the Office of Management and Budget, Central Management Services, the State Treasurer, the Comptroller, and the Illinois Finance Authority to take steps to ensure that their corporate and financial partnerships, vendors, and contractors have boards of directors that are reflective of our State and its diverse citizenry; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be made available to Andrea L. Zopp, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Urban League; John W. Rogers, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Ariel Investments LLC; Hedy Ratner, Co-Founder of the Chicago Women's Business and Development Center; Patrick J. Canning, Chicago Managing Partner of KPMG LLP; Michele J. Hooper, Co-Founder of the Directors' Council; William Osborn, CEO (Retired) of Northern Trust; Mellody Hobson, President of Ariel Investments LLC; William Von Hoene, Jr., Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of the Exelon Corporation; Chicago Crain's Business; and Attorney Jim Montgomery.