HR0971

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, Thousands of Illinois' citizens need to access a 
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variety of social services including, but not limited to: child 
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care, counseling, crisis intervention, emergency food and 
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shelter, literacy training, affordable housing, services to 
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the disabled, respite care, substance abuse treatment, and 
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elder care; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Hundreds of different local, regional, and State 
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organizations in Illinois, both public and private, provide 
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services that respond to these needs; and


 
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    WHEREAS, It is often extremely confusing and time consuming 
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for citizens to identify and access available services; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The process of connecting those in need in 
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Illinois with services can be simplified through the 211 
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telephone dialing code, which is the national dialing code for 
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information and referral for health and human services; and
 
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    WHEREAS, 85 million Americans in 26 states have access to 
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211 service; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Illinois is one of the only Midwest states without 
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211; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly passed legislation 
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in 2003, P.A. 93-613, which authorizes up to six local 
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information and referral sites to use the 211 dialing code; and
 
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    WHEREAS, P.A. 93-613 requires the Governor to establish a 
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Human Services 211 Collaboration Board; and
 
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    WHEREAS, This Human Services 211 Collaboration Board is 
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charged with establishing criteria for choosing up to six local 
 


 






HR0971
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LRB093 22285 LCB 51325 r




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information and referral sites to use the 211 dialing code; and
 
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    WHEREAS, P.A. 93-613 did not include any State funding for 
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implementation of 211 in Illinois; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Local information and referral sites that use the 
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211 dialing code must rely on local and private funding; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The proposed federal legislation, "Calling for 
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211 Act", would authorize $200 million for states to implement 
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211 centers; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Illinois would be able to take advantage of these 
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federal dollars, if appropriated; and


 
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    WHEREAS, Federal funding is necessary to assure a 
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sustainable 211 system in Illinois; and
 
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    WHEREAS, U.S. Representatives Costello, Davis, Jackson, 
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LaHood, and Rush are cosponsors of H.R. 3111; therefore be it
 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
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the Illinois General Assembly calls for the entire Illinois 
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congressional delegation to cosponsor the federal "Calling for 
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211 Act" (H.R. 3111 and S. 1630) and to use their influence to 
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help pass this legislation; and be it further
 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to each member of the Illinois Congressional 
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delegation.