HB4189 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 18931 KTG 27659 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB4189

Introduced 10/26/2021, by Rep. Mary E. Flowers

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Marshall Plan for Moms Interagency Task Force Act. Establishes the Marshall Plan for Moms Interagency Task Force to examine the following policy areas and issue proposals and recommendations: (i) the utilization of recurring payments or financial assistance to mothers and other caregivers and any equivalent policies under all current State and federal programs; (ii) the current utilization rates and impacts of family leave programs as well as specific impacts of the programs on mothers and other caregivers; (iii) current State policy impacting the childcare industry and the access or availability of child care in all areas of the State; (iv) the impact of any new policies imposed by the federal government or by State or local officials during the COVID-19 pandemic that have impacted mothers and other caregivers in the workforce; and (v) other areas the Task Force deems relevant in the review of policies that may impact mothers and other caregivers. Requires the Task Force to hold public hearings within one year after the effective date of the Act to solicit input and recommendations from statewide and regional stakeholder interests. Contains provisions concerning Task Force reports to the Governor and the General Assembly; membership on the Task Force; repeal of the Act; and other matters.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT to establish the Marshall Plan for Moms Interagency Task Force.

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 Marshall Plan for Moms Interagency Task Force Act.

Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds the following:

(1) Any relief and long-term recovery from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic must recognize the disproportionate burden mothers have weathered. Women, especially mothers, have faced the brunt of the economic challenges of the pandemic due to social barriers and policy failures that have been compounded by enduring racism and gender injustices, including the lack of care infrastructure, lack of family-supportive workplaces, and gender and racial pay inequities.

(2) Women continue to face unjust gender and racial wage gaps, and are overrepresented in low-wage jobs, despite their gains in workforce participation. Asian-American and Pacific Islander women, particularly Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander women, get paid as little as $0.50 for every dollar a White man makes. Black women make only $0.63 for every dollar a White man makes, and as a result may lose $946,000 in their lifetimes. Latina women earn $0.55 for every dollar earned by a White man, and as a result may lose over $1,100,000 in wages over the course of a 40-year career. Native American women are paid $0.60 for every dollar a White man makes and are murdered at 10 times the rate of the national average, even though financial independence and security can increase chances of escaping violence for these women. Women's wages are key to their families' economic security and survival. Across the country, mothers are breadwinners in almost half of families with children under 18, even though mothers face a greater pay gap than women as a whole. Even prior to the pandemic, working mothers faced continued biases and stigmas in the workplace that caregiving responsibilities will negatively impact their work performance.

(3) Women have suffered the majority of pandemic-related job losses. Since February 2020, women have lost over 5,400,000 net jobs and account for 55% of overall net job loss since the beginning of the crisis. Women of color are experiencing higher rates of job loss than White women. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics January 2021 unemployment data, the jobless rate for Black women and Latina women aged 20 and over is over 60% higher than their White counterparts. Asian Americans recorded the highest jobless rates among women in the last 6 months of 2020, even though before the pandemic their average unemployment rate was the lowest.

(4) Women face a disproportionate burden of caregiving responsibilities. Mothers are 3 times more likely than fathers to be responsible for most of the caregiving and household work. Single mothers are more likely than other parents to take care of all housework and childcare responsibilities in their household, and are more likely than other mothers to experience financial insecurity.

(5) Throughout the pandemic, women of color have played integral roles on the front lines as essential workers, including as nursing assistants, home health aides, and child care educators.

(6) The unprecedented burdens of child care, work, and remote learning have strained mental and emotional health for mothers. These points of stress are compounded by financial instability, racial injustice, being a single parent, having children with special needs, and many other factors.

Section 10. Task Force.

(a) The Marshall Plan for Moms Interagency Task Force is established. The Task Force shall consist of the following members or their designees:

(1) the Director of Labor, who shall serve as chair;

(2) the Secretary of Human Services;

(3) the Chairman of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission;

(4) the Director of Public Health;

(5) the Director of Human Rights;

(6) two members, who shall be appointed by the Governor, one upon the recommendation of the Illinois AFL-CIO and one upon the recommendation of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association;

(7) one member, who shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

(8) one member, who shall be appointed by the President of the Senate.

(b) The Task Force shall meet as often as is necessary, but no less than once per month and where otherwise appropriate to fulfilling its duties under this Act. The members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for all necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

(c) The Department of Labor shall provide staff and other assistance to the Task Force.

Section 15. Policy areas; proposals and recommendations. The Task Force shall examine the following policy areas and issue proposals and recommendations thereon:

(1) The utilization of recurring payments or financial assistance to mothers and other caregivers and any equivalent policies under all current State and federal programs.

(2) The current utilization rates and impacts of family leave programs as well as specific impacts of the programs on mothers and other caregivers.

(3) Current State policy impacting the childcare industry and the access or availability of child care in all areas of the State.

(4) The availability and access to unemployment for persons who have left a job or worked reduced hours in order to take on caregiving responsibilities.

(5) The impact of any new policies imposed by the federal government or by State or local officials during the COVID-19 pandemic that have impacted mothers and other caregivers in the workforce.

(6) The availability and access to mental health support for mothers and other caregivers, and the impact of access or availability to mental health support on such families.

(7) The access and availability of all such programs for immigrant families, and the impact of inaccessibility or unavailability of any such programs on immigrant families and the State.

(8) Any other areas the Task Force deems relevant in the review of policies that may impact mothers and other caregivers.

Section 20. Hearings. Within one year after the effective date of this Act, in carrying out its functions, the Task Force shall hold 5 public hearings around the State to foster discussions among, and conduct formal public hearings with requisite public notice to solicit input and recommendations from statewide and regional stakeholder interests. The Task Force shall also accept public input in writing. The Task Force may utilize remote access such as web conferencing in order to comply with the provisions of this Section.

Section 25. Findings and recommendations. Within 2 years after the effective date of this Act, the Task Force shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly and shall publicize its findings on a website provided by the Department of Labor.

Section 30. Findings and recommendations. This Act is repealed 3 years after the effective date of this Act.