SB1623 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 27591 DTM 53967 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB1623

Introduced 2/8/2023, by Sen. David Koehler

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force Act. Creates the Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall develop a statewide plan to connect existing local projects and new projects to create a cohesive statewide history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois while creating new educational and tourism opportunities for the State. Establishes the membership of the Task Force. Provides that the members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall provide administrative and technical support to the Task Force. Provides that all members of the Task Force shall be appointed within 30 days after the effective date of the Act. Provides that the Task Force shall review available research, existing infrastructure and projects, best practices, and effective interventions to formulate recommendations. Provides that the Task Force shall prepare a report detailing the Task Force's findings and recommendations and needed resources. Provides that the Task Force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor on or before July 1, 2024. Provides that the Task Force is dissolved, and the Act is repealed, on January 1, 2025.

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 Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force Act.

Section 5. Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force. The Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force is created. The Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force shall develop a statewide plan to connect existing local projects and new projects to create a cohesive statewide history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois, while developing new educational and tourism opportunities for this State.

Section 10. Task Force members.

(a) The Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force shall be composed of the following members:

(1) one member appointed by the President of the Senate;

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

(3) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

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

(5) one member appointed by the Governor;

(6) the Director of Natural Resources or the Director's designee;

(7) the Director of the Illinois State Archives or the Director's designee;

(8) the President of the Illinois State Historical Society or the President's designee;

(9) the President of the NAACP Illinois State Conference or the President's designee; and

(10) the Clerk of Tazewell County.

(b) The members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation.

(c) The Department of Natural Resources shall provide administrative and technical support to the Task Force. All members of the Task Force shall be appointed within 30 days after the effective date of this Act.

Section 15. Meetings, report.

(a) The Task Force shall meet at least 3 times with the first meeting occurring within 60 days after the effective date of this Act.

(b) The Task Force shall review available research, existing infrastructure and projects, best practices, and effective interventions to formulate recommendations.

(c) The Task Force shall prepare a report detailing the Task Force's findings and recommendations and needed resources. The Task Force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor on or before July 1, 2024.

Section 20. Repeal and dissolution of Task Force. The Task Force is dissolved, and this Act is repealed, on January 1, 2025.