HB5721 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 26564 KTG 37253 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB5721

Introduced 3/9/2022, by Rep. Lindsey LaPointe

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 1305/10-75 new

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Creates the Illinois Interagency Task Force on Homelessness. Provides that the State Homelessness Chief established in Executive Order 2021-21 shall chair the Task Force, co-chair the Community Advisory Council on Homelessness established within the Task Force, and lead the State's comprehensive efforts to decrease homelessness and unnecessary institutionalization in Illinois, improve health and human services outcomes for people who experience homelessness, and strengthen the safety nets that contribute to housing stability. Provides that the State Homelessness Chief shall serve as a policymaker and spokesperson on homelessness prevention, including coordinating the multi-agency effort through legislation, rules, and budgets and communicating with the General Assembly and federal and local leaders on this critical issue. Provides that the purpose of the Task Force is to (i) plan, develop, and implement a State Plan to address homelessness and unnecessary institutionalization; (ii) recommend policy, regulatory, and resource changes necessary to accomplish goals and objectives laid out in the State Plan; (iii) provide leadership for and collaborate with those developing and implementing local plans to end homelessness in Illinois; and other matters. Contains provisions on the composition of the Task Force; meetings; and other matters. Creates the Community Advisory Council on Homelessness within the Task Force to make recommendations to the Task Force regarding homelessness prevention. Contains provisions on the composition of the Advisory Council; meetings; and other matters. Provides that nothing in the amendatory Act shall be construed to contravene any federal or State law or regulation. Provides that nothing in the amendatory Act shall affect or alter the existing statutory powers of any State agency or be construed as a reassignment or reorganization of any State agency. 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 5. The Department of Human Services Act is amended by adding Section 10-75 as follows:

(20 ILCS 1305/10-75 new)

Sec. 10-75. Illinois Interagency Task Force on Homelessness.

(a) Establishment. The Illinois Interagency Task Force on Homelessness ("Task Force") is created.

A State Homelessness Chief has been established as provided in Executive Order 2021-21, to be housed in the Department and to report to the Secretary of Human Services. The State Homelessness Chief shall chair the Task Force, co-chair the Community Advisory Council on Homelessness established under subsection (d), and lead the State's comprehensive efforts to decrease homelessness and unnecessary institutionalization in Illinois, improve health and human services outcomes for people who experience homelessness, and strengthen the safety nets that contribute to housing stability. The State Homelessness Chief shall serve as a policymaker and spokesperson on homelessness prevention, including coordinating the multi-agency effort through legislation, rules, and budgets and communicating with the General Assembly and federal and local leaders on these critical issues.

(b) Purpose. The purpose of the Interagency Task Force on Homelessness is to:

(1) Plan, develop, and implement a State Plan to address homelessness and unnecessary institutionalization with the goals of achieving functional zero homelessness, improving health and human services outcomes for people experiencing homelessness, and strengthening the safety nets that contribute to housing stability.

(2) Recommend policy, regulatory, and resource changes necessary to accomplish goals and objectives laid out in the State Plan.

(3) Serve within State government and in the State at large as an advocate for people experiencing homelessness.

(4) Provide leadership for and collaborate with those developing and implementing local plans to end homelessness in Illinois, including, but not limited to, the Community Advisory Council and its members.

(5) Convene stakeholders, customers, and advocates to inform the Task Force's policy recommendations, as needed.

(6) Recommend the resources needed for successful implementation and oversee that implementation.

(7) Recommend and promote effective interagency collaboration and system integration to converge related efforts, including coordination with the Illinois Youth Homelessness Prevention Subcommittee, the Illinois Commission on the Elimination of Poverty, and the Illinois Commission to End Hunger on drafting policy recommendations related to the intersection of homelessness and poverty.

(8) Recommend needed policy, regulatory, and resource distribution changes; make oversight recommendations that will ensure accountability, results, and sustained success; and develop specific proposals and recommendations for action to provide to the Governor and the General Assembly.

(9) Prepare an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly by December 1 of each year, starting December 1, 2022, summarizing the Task Force's activities, summarizing progress on preventing and ending homelessness in Illinois, summarizing the recommendations of the Community Advisory Council and the Task Force's responsive recommendations and actions; and reporting on outcomes and measures relating to homelessness.

(c) Task Force membership; meetings; administrative support.

(1) The Task Force shall include 4 members of the General Assembly and senior members of State agencies that have relevance to ending and preventing homelessness. Members to the Task Force shall be appointed, unless otherwise indicated, by the Governor in consultation with the State Homelessness Chief. At a minimum, the Task Force shall consist of the following members:

(A) The State Homelessness Chief, who shall serve as Chair of the Task Force.

(B) One member representing the Illinois Housing Development Authority.

(C) One member representing the Department of Human Services.

(D) One member representing the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, with expertise on issues related to healthcare delivery systems.

(E) One member representing the Illinois State Board of Education, with expertise on education programs serving students and families experiencing homelessness.

(F) One member representing the Illinois Board of Higher Education, with expertise on education programs serving students and families experiencing homelessness.

(G) One member representing the Illinois Community College Board, with expertise on education programs serving students and families experiencing homelessness.

(H) One member representing the Department of Corrections.

(I) One member representing the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

(J) One member representing the Department of Children and Family Services.

(K) One member representing the Department of Public Health.

(L) One member representing the Department on Aging.

(M) One member representing the Department of Juvenile Justice.

(N) One member representing the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, with expertise on issues related to workforce development.

(O) One member representing the Department of Employment Security.

(P) One member representing the Illinois State Police.

(Q) Two members representing the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representative.

(R) Two members representing the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate.

At the recommendation of the State Homelessness Chief, one member, each, from additional State agencies may be appointed as necessary for the work of the Task Force.

(2) Organizational meeting. The organizational meeting of the Task Force shall take place after all members are appointed but no later than 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General Assembly.

(3) Compensation. Members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation.

(4) Committees. The Task Force may establish subcommittees to address specific issues or populations and may collaborate with individuals with relevant expertise who are not members of the Task Force to assist the subcommittee in carrying out its duties.

(5) Meetings; quorum; voting. The full Task Force shall meet at least once each quarter. A majority plus one of the voting members shall constitute a quorum. All actions of the Task Force and any subcommittees established by the Task Force shall be approved by a majority vote of the Task Force or subcommittee as applicable. The meetings of the Task Force shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Section 2 of the Open Meetings Act.

(6) Administrative support. The Department shall provide staff and administrative support to assist the Task Force in carrying out its duties.

(d) Community Advisory Council.

(1) The Community Advisory Council on Homelessness ("Community Advisory Council") is created within the Task Force. The Community Advisory Council shall consist of diverse stakeholders that represent the goals and population described in this Section and shall be appointed by the Governor. Members shall be geographically diverse to represent the needs of urban, suburban, and rural communities across Illinois. The State Homelessness Chief may include any State agency staff that he or she deems necessary as ex officio, non-voting members of the Community Advisory Council. At a minimum, the Community Advisory Council shall consist of the following members:

(A) The State Homelessness Chief shall serve as a co-chair with another Community Advisory Council member who is selected by the Governor from one of the appointed members listed in subparagraphs (B) through (J).

(B) Three members with lived experience, which may include, but are not limited to, formerly incarcerated persons, veterans, and youth (16 to 25 years old).

(C) One member representing people with disabilities.

(D) Two members from the philanthropic private funding sector.

(E) One member representing a statewide behavioral health advocacy organization.

(F) One member representing a statewide housing advocacy organization.

(G) A minimum of 2 members representing local Continuums of Care.

(H) A minimum of 3 members representing local units of government (municipal, county, or township).

(I) A minimum of 4 members representing providers of the homeless response system including emergency supportive housing, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and homeless prevention.

(J) Two at-large members, who may or may not meet the qualification requirements for the other appointees.

(2) Meetings. The Community Advisory Council shall meet at least 4 times per year to discuss and make recommendations to the Task Force regarding homelessness and unnecessary institutionalization with the goals of achieving functional zero homelessness, improving health and human services outcomes for people experiencing homelessness, and strengthening the safety nets that contribute to housing stability.

(3) Compensation. Public members of the Community Advisory Council may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary travel expenses incurred during the performance of their duties.

(e) Statutory powers. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to contravene any federal or State law or regulation. Unless specifically referenced in this Section, nothing in this Section shall affect or alter the existing statutory powers of any State agency or be construed as a reassignment or reorganization of any State agency.

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